Comments sought:
 
This e-mail is to inform you that new proposals have been posted to the California Courts web site, at http://www.courts.ca.gov/policyadmin-invitationstocomment.htm.
 
Legislative Proposals-Item Number: SP18-17
Judicial Council –Sponsored Legislation: Civil Discovery Tiers
Summary: This legislative proposal from the Civil and Small Claims Advisory Committee would provide for new discovery provisions for general civil cases, setting up three civil case tiers based on the complexity of the     case, with each tier having different discovery requirements and limitations. The goal of the proposal is to make discovery more proportional to the value and nature of claims in a case. The proposal is based on the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of California’s Court System.
Deadline to Submit comments: Friday, October 19 at 5:00 pm.
 
Judicial Administration-Item Number: SP18-18
Telephonic Appearances: Change in the Fee Amount
Summary: The Judicial Branch Budget Committee proposes amending rule 3.670(k)(1) of the California Rules of Court to increase the fee to appear by telephone in civil cases from $86 to $94, effective January 1, 2019. The new fee will apply to the balance of the four-year term of the master agreement for telephone appearance services that was recently entered into with CourtCall LLC. The fee increase reflects the estimated increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for the term of the agreement.
Deadline to Submit comments: Monday, October 15 at 5:00 pm.
 
You are welcome to distribute this to any other interested parties.
 
If you have any questions, please contact Benita Downs, at benita.downs@jud.ca.gov, or at 415-865-7957.