(a) Timing and notice of hearing The coordination motion judge must set a hearing date on a petition for coordination within 30 days of the date of the order assigning the coordination motion judge. When a coordination motion judge is assigned to decide a petition for coordination that lists additional included actions sharing a common question of law or fact with included actions in a petition for coordination already pending before the judge, the judge may continue the hearing date on the first petition no more than 30 calendar days in order to hear both petitions at the same time. The petitioner must provide notice of the hearing to each party appearing in an included action. If the coordination motion judge determines that a party that should be served with notice of the petition for coordination has not been served with notice, the coordination motion judge must order the petitioner to promptly serve that party. If the coordination motion judge determines that a hearing is not required under (b), the hearing date must be vacated and notice provided to the parties. (Subd (a) amended and relettered effective January 1, 2005; adopted as subd (b).)
Rule 3.527.Notice of hearing on petition for coordination
Division 4. Parties and Actions · Chapter 7. Coordination of Complex Actions · Article 3. Petitions and Proceedings for Coordination of Complex Actions · Last amended 2007 · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceRule 3.527 requires the coordination motion judge to set a hearing within 30 days of assignment, makes a hearing mandatory whenever a party opposes coordination, and requires a written status report to the Chair of the Judicial Council if the petition remains undecided 30 days after the hearing.
Full Text of Rule 3.527
(b) Circumstances in which hearing required A hearing must be held to decide a petition for coordination if a party opposes coordination. A petition for coordination may not be denied unless a hearing has been held. (Subd (b) adopted effective January 1, 2005.)
(c) Report to the Chair of the Judicial Council If the petition for coordination has not been decided within 30 calendar days after the hearing, the coordination motion judge must promptly submit to the Chair of the Judicial Council a written report describing:
(1) The present status of the petition for coordination proceeding;
(2) Any factors or circumstances that may have caused undue or unanticipated delay in the decision on the petition for coordination; and
(3) Any stay orders that are in effect. (Subd (c) amended effective January 1, 2005.)
Plain-English Summary
Rule 3.527 keeps a petition for coordination moving on a schedule. Once the Chair of the Judicial Council assigns a coordination motion judge, that judge has 30 days to set a hearing date, and the petitioner must notify everyone who has appeared in an included action. If a related petition covering overlapping cases lands before the same judge, the judge can push the first hearing back — by no more than 30 calendar days — so both petitions can be heard together.
Whether a hearing happens at all depends on whether anyone objects. If a party opposes coordination, the judge must hold a hearing, and the petition cannot be denied without one. If no one opposes and the judge decides a hearing is not needed, the judge vacates the scheduled date and tells the parties.
The rule also builds in accountability for delay. If 30 calendar days pass after the hearing without a decision on the petition, the coordination motion judge must send the Chair of the Judicial Council a written report covering the petition’s current status, any factors behind the delay, and any stay orders still in effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly must a hearing be scheduled once a coordination motion judge is assigned?
Rule 3.527(a) requires the hearing date to be set within 30 days of the order assigning the coordination motion judge.
Is a hearing always required on a petition for coordination?
No. A hearing is required only if a party opposes coordination; if no one opposes and the judge decides a hearing is unnecessary, the hearing date is vacated.
Can the judge combine two related petitions into one hearing?
Yes. The judge may continue the first hearing date by up to 30 calendar days so that a later, related petition can be heard at the same time.
What happens if the coordination motion judge does not rule quickly after the hearing?
If 30 calendar days pass after the hearing without a decision, the judge must report to the Chair of the Judicial Council on the petition’s status, any causes of delay, and any stay orders in effect.
Who is responsible for giving notice of the hearing to the parties?
The petitioner must provide notice of the hearing to each party appearing in an included action.
Amendment History
Rule 3.527 renumbered effective January 1, 2007; adopted as rule 1527 effective January 1, 1974; previously amended effective January 1, 2005.
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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