Alameda County
Bar Association

Updates From Local Superior Courts Week April 27 – May 1st 
A CDC graphic of the COVID-19 virus via MGN

Updates From Local Superior Courts Week April 27 – May 1st

We’ve compiled updates from our local Superior Courts in one post. We’ll update this post as more information comes in this week.

4.27.20: The Contra Costa Superior Court

The Contra Costa Superior Court has issued new emergency local rules for Family Law (Second Amended).  The new provisions concern informal case management conferences/settlement conferences and the submission of stipulated requests for orders on the pleadings (i.e., without a hearing). These rules are available here:  http://www.cc-courts.org/local-rules/local-rules.aspx.

4.27.20: Alameda County Superior Court

The Superior Court of Alameda County has adopted new Local Form ALA-PT-001 (Pretrial Release Order and Release Agreement) and amended Local Form CRM 014 (Order Re: Release on Own Recognizance).  These forms are posted on the Court’s Local Rules page. At a later date, these forms will be integrated into the Superior Court of Alameda County’s Local Rules and distributed as set forth in rule 10.613(g)(2).

4.28.20: The Contra Costa Superior Court

Read the press release extending closure of the Contra Costa Superior Court through at least May 27, 2020 here: FINAL Press Release – 4-28-2020

4.29.20: San Joaquin Superior Court – Civil Matters

Beginning May 4, 2020, all Civil Departments will resume hearings for all Case Management Conferences, Law and Motion matters, Settlement Conferences and Ex Parte matters.  Given the Covid-19 pandemic, the Orders of the Governor, the Orders of the Chief Justice, and the Orders of the Presiding Judge of San Joaquin County, all civil hearings will be held remotely by telephone or videoconference, no in person appearances will be allowed.

The Court will notify parties or their counsel of the call-in numbers for the hearings by email and/or text message.  To ensure the Court has your most recent contact information, please register your email address and mobile number on the Court’s website under Online Services, Attorney Registration.  (You do not have to be an attorney to register.)

Currently, we are not able to provide information over the phone.  To communicate with the Courtroom Clerk of the Civil department to which your case is assigned, please email questions to civilcourtclerks@sjcourts.org, indicating  in the title of the email the Department, Case number, Case Name, and party’s name. The Civil Clerk assigned to the department handling your case will return your email.

4.29.20: Superior Court of Alameda County 

The Superior Court of Alameda County has adopted new Emergency Local Rule 1.2a and amended emergency Local Rule 1.8a.  These rules are posted on the Court’s Local Rules and the Court’s COVID-19 page. The Superior Court of Alameda County expands filings and hearings in civil, family, and probate matters, publishes updated FAQ, and prepares to seek additional Emergency Order in anticipation of extending public closure. Details here.

4.30.20 Contra Costa Superior Court Emergency Rules for Probate

The Contra Costa Superior Court has issued new emergency local rules for Probate.   These amended rules combine the former rules and supplement into a single document and update certain dates based upon the extension of the Court’s closure through at least May 27.  Please note that the Probate Emergency Rules require the parties to provide notice in specific circumstances in Probate cases. Please review these Rules carefully, as they may require parties to review the Court website and notice other parties of new hearing dates. The rules are available here:  http://www.cc-courts.org/local-rules/local-rules.aspx.

5.1.20: Superior Court of Alameda County 

The Superior Court of Alameda County issues order implementing third Emergency Order granted by Chair of Judicial Council and extends public closure through May 29, 2020. Details here.

Superior Court of Alameda County orders thousands of cases reduced or dismissed pursuant to Proposition 64. Read more

 


4.30.20: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California 

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California has posted new General Order 72-2 and revised General Order 73, both effective May 1, 2020. Courthouse access remains temporarily restricted in all four locations until June 1, 2020, with access allowed only for those with official court business.

Please see General Order 72-2, IN RE: Coronavirus Disease Public Health Emergency, adopted April 30, 2020, and General Order 73, Continuing Temporary Restrictions on Courthouse Access due to COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, amended April 30, 2020. Please see the court’s public website for more information.