Rule 3.220. Case cover sheet
Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.220
Current text effective January 1, 2009.
#(a) Cover sheet required
The first paper filed in an action or proceeding must be accompanied by a case cover sheet as required in (b). The cover sheet must be on a form prescribed by the Judicial Council and must be filed in addition to any cover sheet required by local court rule. If the plaintiff indicates on the cover sheet that the case is complex under rule 3.400 et seq., or a collections case under rule 3.740, the plaintiff must serve a copy of the cover sheet with the complaint. In all other cases, the plaintiff is not required to serve the cover sheet. The cover sheet is used for statistical purposes and may affect the assignment of a complex case.
(Subd (a) amended effective January 1, 2009; previously amended effective January 1, 2000, January 1, 2002, and January 1, 2007.)
#(b) List of cover sheets
#(1) Civil Case Cover Sheet (form CM-010) must be filed in each civil action or proceeding, except those filed in small claims court or filed under the Probate Code, Family Code, or Welfare and Institutions Code.
#(2) [Note: Case cover sheets will be added for use in additional areas of the law as the data collection program expands.]
(Subd (b) amended effective January 1, 2007; previously amended effective July 1, 2002, and July 1, 2003.)
#(c) Failure to provide cover sheet
If a party that is required to provide a cover sheet under this rule or a similar local rule fails to do so or provides a defective or incomplete cover sheet at the time the party's first paper is submitted for filing, the clerk of the court must file the paper. Failure of a party or a party's counsel to file a cover sheet as required by this rule may subject that party, its counsel, or both, to sanctions under rule 2.30.
(Subd (c) amended effective January 1, 2007; adopted effective January 1, 2002.)
#History
Rule 3.220 amended effective January 1, 2009; adopted as rule 982.2 effective July 1, 1996; previously amended and renumbered as rule 201.8 effective July 1, 2002, and as rule 3.220 effective January 1, 2007; previously amended effective January 1, 2000, January 1, 2002, and July 1, 2003.
What this rule requires
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
If a party required to provide a cover sheet fails to do so or submits a defective or incomplete one with its first paper, the clerk must file the paper.
The rule's wording
If a party that is required to provide a cover sheet under this rule or a similar local rule fails to do so or provides a defective or incomplete cover sheet at the time the party's first paper is submitted for filing, the clerk of the court must file the paper.
Service and Proof of Service Rules
If the plaintiff indicates on the cover sheet that the case is complex under rule 3.400 et seq., or a collections case under rule 3.740, the plaintiff must serve a copy of the cover sheet with the complaint. In all other cases, the plaintiff is not required to serve the cover sheet.
Document Filing Requirements
The first paper filed in an action or proceeding must be accompanied by a case cover sheet as required in (b).
The cover sheet must be on a form prescribed by the Judicial Council and must be filed in addition to any cover sheet required by local court rule.
Civil Case Cover Sheet (form CM-010) must be filed in each civil action or proceeding, except those filed in small claims court or filed under the Probate Code, Family Code, or Welfare and Institutions Code.
Official text: courts.ca.gov , checked October 19, 2026.