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2024 California Rules of Court

Rule 2.520. Remote access by persons working in the same legal organization as a party's attorney

(a) Application and scope

(1)  This rule applies when a party's attorney is assisted by others working in the same legal organization.

(2)  "Working in the same legal organization" under this rule includes partners, associates, employees, volunteers, and contractors.

(3)  This rule does not apply when a person working in the same legal organization as a party's attorney gains remote access to records as a party's designee under rule 2.518.

(b) Designation and certification

(1)  A party's attorney may designate that other persons working in the same legal organization as the party's attorney have remote access.

(2)  A party's attorney must certify that the other persons authorized for remote access are working in the same legal organization as the party's attorney and are assisting the party's attorney in the action or proceeding.

(c) Level of remote access

(1)  Persons designated by a party's attorney under (b) must be provided access to the same electronic records as the party.

(2)  Notwithstanding (b), when a court designates a legal organization to represent parties in criminal, juvenile, family, or probate proceedings, the court may grant remote access to a person working in the organization who assigns cases to attorneys working in that legal organization.

(d) Terms of remote access

(1)  Persons working in a legal organization may remotely access electronic records only for purposes of assigning or assisting a party's attorney.

(2)  Any distribution for sale of electronic records obtained remotely under the rules in this article is strictly prohibited.

(3)  All laws governing confidentiality and disclosure of court records apply to the records obtained under this article.

(4)  Persons working in a legal organization must comply with any other terms of remote access required by the court.

(5)  Failure to comply with these rules may result in the imposition of sanctions, including termination of access.

Rule 2.520 adopted effective January 1, 2019.

Advisory Committee Comment

Subdivision (b). The designation and certification outlined in this subdivision need only be done once and can be done at the time the attorney establishes his or her remote access account with the court.

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