Division 3. Filing and Service · Chapter 4. Miscellaneous · Last amended 2016 · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceRule 3.254 requires the first-named plaintiff or petitioner in a multi-party case with different counsel to keep a current list of every party's address for service and share it on request, while every other party keeps that list updated with its own information.
(a)Duties of first-named plaintiff or petitioner Except as provided under rule 2.251 for electronic service, if more than two parties have appeared in a case and are represented by different counsel, the plaintiff or petitioner named first in the complaint or petition must:
(1)Maintain a current list of the parties and their addresses for service of notice on each party; and
(2)Furnish a copy of the list on request to any party or the court. (Subd (a) amended effective January 1, 2016; adopted as part of unlettered subd effective July 1, 1984; previously amended and lettered as subd (a) effective January 1, 2007.)
(b)Duties of each party Except as provided under rule 2.251 for electronic service, each party must:
(1)Furnish the first-named plaintiff or petitioner with its current address for service of notice when it first appears in the action;
(2)Furnish the first-named plaintiff or petitioner with any changes in its address for service of notice; and
(3)If it serves an order, notice, or pleading on a party who has not yet appeared in the action, serve a copy of the list required under (a) at the same time as the order, notice, or pleading is served. (Subd (b) amended effective January 1, 2016; adopted as part of unlettered subd effective July 1, 1984; previously amended and lettered effective January 1, 2007.)
Plain-English Summary
Once a case has more than two parties represented by different lawyers, keeping track of who to notify gets complicated fast. Rule 3.254 assigns that job to whoever is named first as plaintiff or petitioner in the complaint or petition. That party must maintain a current list of every party in the case and their address for service of notice, and hand over a copy whenever another party or the court asks for one.
The other side of the arrangement falls on everyone else. Each party has to give the first-named plaintiff or petitioner its own address for service as soon as it appears in the case, and update that information whenever it changes. If a party serves an order, notice, or pleading on someone who has not yet appeared, it must also send along a copy of the current list, so a party stepping into the case for the first time immediately knows who else is involved and how to reach them. Parties using electronic service under rule 2.251 are not subject to these particular duties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has to keep the master list of parties in a multi-party case?
Rule 3.254(a) puts that duty on the plaintiff or petitioner named first in the complaint or petition, once more than two parties represented by different counsel have appeared.
What do I have to send the first-named plaintiff when I join a case?
Rule 3.254(b) requires each party to furnish the first-named plaintiff or petitioner with its current address for service of notice as soon as it appears, and to report any later changes.
Do I have to send the party list to someone who hasn't appeared yet?
Yes. If you serve an order, notice, or pleading on a party who has not yet appeared, Rule 3.254(b)(3) requires you to include a copy of the current party list at the same time.
Does this rule apply if all parties are served electronically?
No. Rule 3.254 carves out an exception for service handled under rule 2.251's electronic service provisions.
Amendment History
Rule 3.254 amended effective January 1, 2016; adopted as rule 387 effective July 1, 1984; previously amended and renumbered as rule 202.7 effective January 1, 2003, and as rule 3.254 effective January 1, 2007.
Source & verification. Rule text is reproduced verbatim from
the Judicial Council of California. Adopted by the Judicial Council of California.
Last verified July 29, 2026.
· Official source
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