2024 California Rules of Court
Rule 10.620. Public access to administrative decisions of trial courts
(a) Interpretation
The provisions of this rule concern public access to administrative decisions by trial courts as provided in this rule. This rule does not modify existing law regarding public access to the judicial deliberative process and does not apply to the adjudicative functions of the trial courts or the assignment of judges.
(b) Budget priorities
The Administrative Director may request, on 30 court days' notice, recommendations from the trial courts concerning judicial branch budget priorities. The notice must state that if a trial court is to make recommendations, the trial court must also give notice, as provided in (g), that interested members of the public may send input to the Judicial Council.
(Subd (b) amended effective January 1, 2016; previously amended effective January 1, 2005, and January 1, 2007.)
(c) Budget requests
Before making recommendations, if any, to the Judicial Council on items to be included in the judicial branch budget that is submitted annually to the Governor and the Legislature, a trial court must seek input from the public, as provided in (e), on what should be included in the recommendations.
(Subd (c) amended effective January 1, 2007.)
(d) Other decisions requiring public input
Each trial court must seek input from the public, as provided in (e), before making the following decisions:
(1) A request for permission from Judicial Council staff to reallocate budget funds from one program component to another in an amount greater than $400,000 or 10 percent of the total trial court budget, whichever is greater.
(2) The execution of a contract without competitive bidding in an amount greater than $400,000 or 10 percent of the total trial court budget, whichever is greater. This subdivision does not apply to a contract entered into between a court and a county that is provided for by statute.
(3) The cessation of any of the following services at a court location:
(A) The Family Law Facilitator; or
(B) The Family Law Information Center.
(Subd (d) amended effective January 1, 2016; previously amended effective January 1, 2007.)
(e) Manner of seeking public input
When a trial court is required to seek public input under this rule, it must provide public notice of the request at least 15 court days before the date on which the decision is to be made or the action is to be taken. Notice must be given as provided in (g). Any interested person or entity who wishes to comment must send the comment to the court in writing or electronically unless the court requires that all public comment be sent either by e-mail or through a response system on the court's Web site. For good cause, in the event an urgent action is required, a trial court may take immediate action if it (1) gives notice of the action as provided in (f), (2) states the reasons for urgency, and (3) gives any public input received to the person or entity making the decision.
(Subd (e) amended effective January 1, 2007.)
(f) Information about other trial court administrative matters
A trial court must provide notice, not later than 15 court days after the event, of the following:
(1) Receipt of the annual allocation of the trial court budget from the Judicial Council after enactment of the Budget Act.
(2) The awarding of a grant to the trial court that exceeds the greater of $400,000 or 10 percent of the total trial court budget.
(3) The solicitation of proposals or the execution of a contract that exceeds the greater of $400,000 or 10 percent of the trial court budget.
(4) A significant permanent increase in the number of hours that a court location is open during any day for either court sessions or filing of papers. As used in this paragraph, a significant increase does not include an emergency or one-time need to increase hours.
(5) The action taken on any item for which input from the public was required under (d). The notice must show the person or persons who made the decision and a summary of the written and e-mail input received.
(Subd (f) amended effective January 1, 2016; previously amended effective January 1, 2007.)
(g) Notice
When notice is required to be given by this rule, it must be given in the following ways:
(1) Posted on the trial court's Web site, if any.
(2) Sent to any of the following persons or entities-subject to the requirements of (h)-who have requested in writing or by electronic mail to the court executive officer to receive such notice:
(A) A newspaper, radio station, and television station in the county;
(B) The president of a local or specialty bar association in the county;
(C) Representatives of a trial court employees organization;
(D) The district attorney, public defender, and county counsel;
(E) The county administrative officer; and
(F) If the court is sending notice electronically using the provisions of (h), any other person or entity that submits an electronic mail address to which the notice will be sent.
(3) Posted at all locations of the court that accept papers for filing.
(Subd (g) amended effective January 1, 2007.)
(h) Electronic notice
A trial court may require a person or entity that is otherwise entitled to receive notice under (g)(2) to submit an electronic mail address to which the notice will be sent.
(Subd (h) amended effective January 1, 2007.)
(i) Materials
When a trial court is required to seek public input under (b), (c), or (d), it must also provide for public viewing at one or more locations in the county of any written factual materials that have been specifically gathered or prepared for the review at the time of making the decision of the person or entity making the decision. This subdivision does not require the disclosure of materials that are otherwise exempt from disclosure or would be exempt from disclosure under the state Public Records Act (beginning with Government Code section 6250). The materials must be mailed or otherwise be made available not less than five court days before the decision is to be made except if the request is made within the five court days before the decision is to be made, the materials must be mailed or otherwise be made available the next court day after the request is made. A court must either (1) provide copies to a person or entity that requests copies of these materials in writing or by electronic mail to the executive officer of the court or other person designated by the executive office in the notice, if the requesting person or entity pays all mailing and copying costs as determined by any mailing and copy cost recovery policies established by the trial court, or (2) make all materials available electronically either on its Web site or by e-mail. This subdivision does not require the trial court to prepare reports. A person seeking documents may request the court to hold the material for pickup by that person instead of mailing.
(Subd (i) amended effective January 1, 2007.)
(j) Other requirements
This rule does not affect any other obligations of the trial court including any obligation to meet and confer with designated employee representatives. This rule does not change the procedures a court must otherwise follow in entering into a contract or change the types of matters for which a court may contract.
(Subd (j) amended effective January 1, 2007.)
(k) Enforcement
This rule may be enforced under Code of Civil Procedure section 1085.
Rule 10.620 amended effective January 1, 2016; adopted as rule 6.620 effective January 1, 2004; previously amended effective January 1, 2005; previously amended and renumbered as rule 10.620 effective January 1, 2007.
Advisory Committee Comment
The procedures required under this rule do not apply where statutes specify another procedure for giving public notice and allowing public input. (See, e.g., Gov. Code, § 68106 [notice of reduced court services]; id., § 68511.7 [notice of proposed court budget plan].)