1st District Court of Appeal

Latest News

September 11, 2023

Both passenger elevators in the Earl Warren Building at 350 McAllister Street are out of service for necessary modernization, from September 11, 2023 until the end of February 2024. During this period, counsel, parties and the public attending oral argument at the Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, will be escorted by building security to an alternative elevator, to the fourth floor, and to the courtroom entrance. We recommend that whenever possible, those wishing to attend oral argument arrive a few minutes earlier than usual.

September 1, 2023

The Judicial Council recently adopted a new rule (rule 10.1014 of the California Rules of Court) that becomes effective on September 1, 2023.  The rule promotes the efficient, effective, and proper administration of the Courts of Appeal by increasing the accountability of administrative presiding justices and presiding justices.  The rule allows anyone to submit a contention that an administrative presiding justice or a presiding justice has not properly addressed or managed an important matter related to the administration of a Court of Appeal or a division of a Court of Appeal.  A person submitting such a contention should use the following addresses:

By email:

AppellateRule10.1014@jud.ca.gov

By mail:
Judicial Council of California
Attn: Rule 10.1014 Program
2860 Gateway Oaks Drive, #400
Sacramento, CA 95833

July 27, 2023

Justice Fujisaki represents District on Bias Prevention Committee 

Associate Justice Carin T. Fujisaki represents the First Appellate District on the Supreme Court and Appellate Court Bias Prevention Committee. Its mission is to support the integrity and impartiality of the judicial system and promote an appellate court environment free of bias. The committee’s membership roster consists of six associate justices drawn from each of the Court of Appeal Appellate Districts, six attorney members from around the state, a representative from the California Appellate Program, and a Clerk/Court Executive Officer. The Bias Prevention Committee was established under the Standards of Judicial Administration, standard 10.20.

June 23, 2023

The Commission on Judicial Appointments today confirmed the nomination of Judge Danny Y. Chou to be an associate justice of the First District Court of Appeal, Division Five. Justice Chou was confirmed by unanimous vote of the three-member commission, which included: Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero (Chair); Attorney General Rob Bonta; and Administrative Presiding Justice Jim Humes. Division Five Presiding Justice Teri L. Jackson administered the oath of office. View the full story.

June 5, 2023

Three changes to the First District’s Local Rules were approved by the Court, taking effect on June 5, 2023. Local Rules 13 and 17 are amended, and Local Rule 14 is repealed. The amended and repealed rules can be found here.

April 7, 2023

The Commission on Judicial Appointments today confirmed the nomination of Justice Tracie L. Brown to be presiding justice of the First District Court of Appeal, Division Four. Presiding Justice Brown was confirmed by unanimous vote of the three-member commission, which included: Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero (Chair); Attorney General Rob Bonta; and Administrative Presiding Justice Jim Humes. The Chief Justice administered the oath of office. View the full story.

March 13, 2023

The Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, issued two new Miscellaneous Orders today. The first, Miscellaneous Order 2023-1, lifts the requirement that those attending oral argument in the courtroom wear face coverings, but encourages them to do so. It also describes protocols for attendance in the courtroom so as to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

October 14, 2022

The Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, announces that in-person oral argument in the courtroom is now available to either or both parties. Counsel or parties may elect to present oral argument either by personal appearance in court or by remote appearance on BlueJeans. Hybrid arguments, where one party is in the courtroom and the other remote, are available. If argument will be by personal appearance, absent extraordinary circumstances, the Justices who will hear the case will be present in the courtroom. All who enter the courtroom must be masked and remain masked except that counsel and parties who are presenting their argument may remove their masks while speaking. All arguments from the courtroom and by remote appearance, including hybrid arguments, will continue to be streamed live on the court’s website.

June 4, 2019

The Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, is seeking attorneys to represent inmates in death penalty-related habeas corpus proceedings.  Click for information about how to apply for an appointment.

Case Information

The California Appellate Courts Case Information System provides case information for California Supreme Court and Court of Appeal cases. Case information is updated once an hour throughout the business day.

Search Case Information

About Us

The 1st District is located in San Francisco. Its jurisdiction is over the following counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Solano, and Sonoma. It is divided into five non-geographical divisions with four justices each.  READ MORE >>