Rule 10.635. Limited situations in which a judicial officer may preside remotely from a location other than a courtroom

Cal. Rules of Court, rule 10.635

Current text effective July 1, 2024.

#(a) Purpose

This rule prescribes when, in limited situations and in the interest of justice, a judicial officer may use remote technology to effectuate their own participation in a proceeding from a location other than a courtroom.

#(b) Application

#(1) This rule applies when a judicial officer presiding from a location other than a courtroom uses remote technology to effectuate their own participation in the proceeding.

#(2) This rule does not apply when a judicial officer presides in person over a proceeding convened in a location other than a court facility, even if another participant appears remotely.

#(3) This rule applies to all civil cases subject to Code of Civil Procedure section 367.75.

#(4) Nothing in this rule limits a judicial officer from engaging in any other judicial functions, duties, or actions authorized by law to be performed in a location other than a courtroom.

#(c) Definitions

As used in this rule:

#(1) “Court facility” has the same meaning as that provided in Government Code section 70301(d).

#(2) The following terms have the same meaning as those provided in rule 3.672(c):

#(A) “Proceeding.”

#(B) “Remote proceeding.”

#(C) “Remote technology.”

#(d) Location of a judicial officer within a court facility

A judicial officer may preside remotely from a location within a court facility other than a courtroom only if doing so is in the interest of justice, the presiding judge approves, and either:

#(1) No parties are appearing in person at the proceeding; or

#(2) No courtrooms are available in the court facility.

#(e) Location of a judicial officer outside a court facility

A judicial officer may not preside remotely from a location outside a court facility unless doing so is in the interest of justice, the presiding judge approves, and

#(1) The judicial officer cannot safely access or preside from a court facility because of hazardous conditions, including those resulting from:

#(A) Natural disaster;

#(B) Severe weather;

#(C) Public emergency;

#(D) Facilities failure;

#(E) Security threats; or

#(F) Other extraordinary circumstances as determined by the presiding judge; or

#(2) Presiding remotely in a matter is essential to prevent a significant delay that would substantially prejudice the litigants.

#History

Rule 10.635 adopted effective July 1, 2024.

Official text: courts.ca.gov , checked October 19, 2026.