Judicial Council Revises Emergency Rule on Statutes of Limitations in Civil Cases

The Judicial Council approved a revision to emergency rule 9 regarding the statutes of limitations for filing civil cases during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to clarify that the emergency rule also applies to “statutes of repose”.

• Suspend from April 6 to October 1 the statutes of limitations and repose for civil causes of action that exceed 180 days
  
• Suspend from April 6 to August 3 the statutes of limitations and repose for civil causes of action that are 180 days or less.
  

Causes of action with short-term statutes of limitation and repose have the more immediate deadline of August 3 because those deadlines are designed to ensure that any challenges in those matters are raised more quickly. This end date will also ensure courts can process civil actions, while providing certainty and reasonable notice to litigants of the end of the suspension period.

The rule is broad in scope and applies to all civil causes of action, including special proceedings of a civil nature, such as actions brought under the California Environmental Quality Act.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chief Justice and council have approved a number of temporary emergency actions, including the adoption of 13 temporary rules of court.

Circulating orders are posted to the Judicial Council meetings page.