(a) Case management goals The rules in this chapter are adopted to advance the goals of Government Code section 68607 and standard 2.1 of the California Standards of Judicial Administration. (Subd (a) amended effective January 1, 2007; previously amended effective July 1, 2002.)
Rule 3.713.Delay reduction goals
Division 7. Civil Case Management · Chapter 2. Differential Case Management · Last amended 2007 · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceRule 3.713 commits California's trial courts to the delay-reduction goals of the Trial Court Delay Reduction Act and the state's case disposition time standards, and places on judges the ongoing responsibility to manage every general civil case actively from filing through disposition.
Full Text of Rule 3.713
(b) Case disposition time goals The goal of the court is to manage general civil cases from filing to disposition as provided under standard 2.2 of the California Standards of Judicial Administration. (Subd (b) amended effective January 1, 2007; previously amended effective January 1, 1994, July 1, 2002, and January 1, 2004.)
(c) Judges’ responsibility It is the responsibility of judges to achieve a just and effective resolution of each general civil case through active management and supervision of the pace of litigation from the date of filing to disposition. (Subd (c) amended effective July 1, 2002.)
Plain-English Summary
Rule 3.713 is where Division 7's differential case management chapter states its goals. It ties itself to Government Code section 68607 and Standard 2.1 of the California Standards of Judicial Administration, the statutory and administrative sources behind the state's push to move civil cases through the system without unnecessary delay.
The rule sets a disposition-time goal, measured under Standard 2.2 of the Judicial Administration Standards, for how quickly general civil cases should move from filing to resolution. But it puts the real weight on judges, not the goal itself: judges are responsible for achieving a just and effective resolution of each case through active management and supervision of the litigation's pace, from the day it is filed until it is over. The rule frames delay reduction as an ongoing judicial duty rather than a target that takes care of itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of Rule 3.713?
It states the goals behind Division 7's differential case management chapter — reducing delay in civil litigation — and grounds those goals in Government Code section 68607 and the California Standards of Judicial Administration.
Who is responsible for meeting case disposition goals?
Judges. The rule places responsibility on judges to achieve a just and effective resolution of each case through active management and supervision of the pace of litigation from filing to disposition.
Does Rule 3.713 set specific deadlines?
It points to case disposition time goals under Standard 2.2 of the California Standards of Judicial Administration rather than stating deadlines itself; Rule 3.714 translates those goals into specific percentage benchmarks.
Amendment History
Rule 3.713 amended and renumbered effective January 1, 2007; adopted as rule 2104 effective July 1, 1991; previously amended and renumbered as rule 208 effective July 1, 2003; previously amended effective January 1, 1994, and January 1, 2004.
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: case disposition time goals Californiajudges duty to manage civil casesCRC 3.713 delay reductionGovernment Code 68607 civil case delay