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2024 California Rules of Court

Rule 10.46. Trial Court Presiding Judges Advisory Committee

(a) Area of focus

The committee contributes to the statewide administration of justice by monitoring areas of significance to the justice system and making recommendations to the Judicial Council on policy issues affecting the trial courts.

(Subd (a) amended effective January 1, 2007; previously amended effective September 1, 2000, and April 18, 2003.)

(b) Additional duties

In addition to the duties specified in rule 10.34, the committee may:

(1)  Recommend methods and policies within its area of focus to improve trial court presiding judges' access to and participation in council decision making, increase communication between the council and the trial courts, and provide for training programs for judicial and court support staff;

(2)  Respond and provide input to the Judicial Council, appropriate advisory committees, or Judicial Council staff on pending policy proposals and offer new recommendations on policy initiatives in the areas of legislation, rules, forms, standards, studies, and recommendations concerning court administration; and

(3)  Provide for liaison between the trial courts and the Judicial Council, its advisory committees, task forces, and working groups, and Judicial Council staff.

(Subd (b) amended effective January 1, 2016; previously amended effective September 1, 2000, April 18, 2003, and January 1, 2007.)

(c) Membership

The committee consists of the presiding judge of each superior court.

(Subd (c) amended effective January 1, 2007; previously amended effective September 1, 2000, and April 18, 2003.)

(d) Executive Committee

The advisory committee may establish an Executive Committee that, in addition to other powers provided by the advisory committee, may act on behalf of the full advisory committee between its meetings.

(Subd (d) amended effective April 18, 2003; adopted effective September 1, 2000.)

(e) Subcommittee membership

The committee has standing subcommittees on rules and legislation. The chair may create other subcommittees as he or she deems appropriate. The chair must strive for representation of courts of all sizes on subcommittees.

(Subd (e) repealed and adopted effective April 18, 2003.)

(f) Chair

The advisory committee must annually submit to the Chief Justice one nomination for the chair of the advisory committee. Any member of the advisory committee whose term as presiding judge would extend at least through the term of the advisory committee chair is eligible for nomination. The nomination must be made by a majority vote of the full advisory committee. In the event that no candidate receives a majority vote on the first ballot, subsequent ballots of the top two candidates will occur until a candidate receives a majority vote. The chair of the advisory committee serves as chair of any Executive Committee established under (d) and as an advisory member of the Judicial Council.

(Subd (f) amended effective July 1, 2013; adopted as subd (d); previously amended and relettered effective September 1, 2000; previously amended effective April 18, 2003, and January 1, 2007.)

Rule 10.46 amended effective January 1, 2016; adopted as rule 6.46 effective January 1, 1999; previously amended and renumbered as rule 10.46 effective January 1, 2007; previously amended effective September 1, 2000, April 18, 2003, and July 1, 2013.

Advisory Committee Comment

Subdivision (f): An advisory committee member may submit his or her own name, the name of another member of the advisory committee, or the name of an incoming member of the advisory committee to be considered for nomination. An incoming member of the advisory committee may be nominated by a current member of the advisory committee, but he or she may not participate in the voting process. Only current members of the advisory committee may vote. The successful candidate must receive 30 or more votes.

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