Rule 8.802. Construction

Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.802

Current text effective January 1, 2009.

#(a) Construction

The rules in this division must be construed to ensure that the proceedings they govern will be justly and speedily determined.

#(b) Terminology

As used in this division:

#(1) "Must" is mandatory;

#(2) "May" is permissive;

#(3) "May not" means is not permitted to;

#(4) "Will" expresses a future contingency or predicts action by a court or person in the ordinary course of events, but does not signify a mandatory duty; and

#(5) "Should" expresses a preference or a nonbinding recommendation.

#(c) Construction of additional terms

In the rules:

#(1) Each tense (past, present, or future) includes the others;

#(2) Each gender (masculine, feminine, or neuter) includes the others;

#(3) Each number (singular or plural) includes the other; and

#(4) The headings of divisions, chapters, articles, rules, and subdivisions are substantive.

#History

Rule 8.802 adopted effective January 1, 2009.

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