2024 California Rules of Court
Rule 3.2005. Settlement opportunities
(a) Policy favoring an opportunity for resolution without trial
The intent of this rule is to promote opportunities for resolution of unlawful detainer cases before trial. Courts should encourage participation, to the extent feasible, in at least one opportunity for resolution before trial, including but not limited to a settlement conference, mediation, or another alternative dispute resolution process.
(b) Exemption for mandatory settlement conference statement deadline
The court may exempt the parties in an unlawful detainer case participating in a mandatory settlement conference from the five-court-day deadline for submitting a settlement conference statement set out in rule 3.1380(c).
Rule 3.2005 adopted effective January 1, 2024.
Advisory Committee Comment
The Judicial Council has adopted an optional form-Eviction Case (Unlawful Detainer) Stipulation (form UD-155)-that can be used to advise the court about any settlement that has been reached before trial.
Subdivision (a). The committee notes that parties may choose but cannot be required to participate in for-cost mediation or alternative dispute resolution (ADR). This rule is not intended in any way to mandate for-cost mediation or ADR.
Subdivision (b). Because unlawful detainer cases generally proceed on an expedited basis, this exemption allows parties in unlawful detainer cases to participate in and complete mandatory settlement conferences on shorter timelines. Nothing in this rule, including the exemption set out in subdivision (b), is intended to preclude a court from shortening other deadlines related to alternative dispute resolution processes.