Rule 3.826. Trial after arbitration
Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.826
Current text effective January 1, 2012.
#(a) Request for trial; deadline
Within 60 days after the arbitration award is filed with the clerk of the court, a party may request a trial by filing with the clerk a request for trial, with proof of service of a copy upon all other parties appearing in the case. A request for trial filed after the parties have been served with a copy of the award by the arbitrator, but before the award has been filed with the clerk, is valid and timely filed. The 60-day period within which to request trial may not be extended.
(Subd (a) amended effective January 1, 2012; previously amended effective January 1, 1985, July 1, 1990, January 1, 2004, and January 1, 2007.)
#(b) Prosecution of the case
If a party makes a timely request for a trial, the case must proceed as provided under an applicable case management order. If no pending order provides for the prosecution of the case after a request for a trial after arbitration, the court must promptly schedule a case management conference.
(Subd (b) amended effective January 1, 2007; previously amended effective January 1, 2004.)
#(c) References to arbitration during trial prohibited
The case must be tried as though no arbitration proceedings had occurred. No reference may be made during the trial to the arbitration award, to the fact that there had been arbitration proceedings, to the evidence adduced at the arbitration hearing, or to any other aspect of the arbitration proceedings, and none of the foregoing may be used as affirmative evidence, or by way of impeachment, or for any other purpose at the trial.
(Subd (c) amended effective January 1, 2004.)
#(d) Costs after trial
In assessing costs after the trial, the court must apply the standards specified in Code of Civil Procedure section 1141.21.
(Subd (d) amended effective January 1, 2007; previously amended effective July 1, 1979, and January 1, 2004.)
#History
Rule 3.826 amended effective January 1, 2012; adopted as rule 1616 effective July 1, 1976; previously amended effective July 1, 1979, July 1, 1990, and January 1, 2004; previously amended and renumbered effective January 1, 2007.
What this rule requires
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
A party may request trial within 60 days after the award is filed, or after service of the award but before it is filed; the 60-day period cannot be extended.
The rule's wording
Within 60 days after the arbitration award is filed with the clerk of the court, a party may request a trial by filing with the clerk a request for trial, with proof of service of a copy upon all other parties appearing in the case. A request for trial filed after the parties have been served with a copy of the award by the arbitrator, but before the award has been filed with the clerk, is valid and timely filed. The 60-day period within which to request trial may not be extended.
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Within 60 days after the arbitration award is filed with the clerk of the court, a party may request a trial by filing with the clerk a request for trial, with proof of service of a copy upon all other parties appearing in the case.
Official text: courts.ca.gov , checked October 19, 2026.