Each court must adopt local rules on differential case management as provided in this chapter consistent with the rules on case management in chapter 3 of this division and standard 2.1 of the California Standards of Judicial Administration.
Rule 3.711.Local court rules
Division 7. Civil Case Management · Chapter 2. Differential Case Management · Last amended 2007 · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceRule 3.711 requires every trial court to adopt its own local rules for differential case management, consistent with the statewide case management rules and the California Standards of Judicial Administration, so each court can sort its civil caseload into the tracks that fit it best.
Full Text of Rule 3.711
Plain-English Summary
Rule 3.711 turns Division 7's differential case management framework from a statewide policy into a local obligation. Every trial court in California has to adopt its own local rules spelling out how it sorts civil cases by complexity and need, rather than relying on the state rules alone to do that work.
Those local rules cannot be written in a vacuum. The rule requires them to line up with the case management rules in Chapter 3 of Division 7 and with Standard 2.1 of the California Standards of Judicial Administration, the statewide guidance on how courts should manage civil caseloads. In practice, that means a court adopting differential case management can tailor its own procedures to its docket, but only within the boundaries the state rules and standards already set.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every California trial court have its own case management rules?
Yes. Rule 3.711 requires each court to adopt local rules on differential case management, though those local rules have to stay consistent with the statewide case management rules and judicial administration standards.
What is differential case management?
The practice of sorting civil cases into different management tracks based on their complexity and needs, rather than handling every case the same way from filing to trial.
Where can I find a specific court's local case management rules?
Each trial court publishes its own local rules, typically on the court's website, and those rules govern the specifics of how that court applies differential case management.
Amendment History
Rule 3.711 amended and renumbered effective January 1, 2007; adopted as rule 2102 effective July 1, 1991; previously amended effective January 1, 1994, and January 1, 2000; previously amended and renumbered as rule 206 effective July 1, 2002.
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
Also known as: local court rules case management Californiadifferential case management local rulesCRC 3.711 court rule requirementCalifornia Standards of Judicial Administration 2.1