(a) The initial conference In each case, the court must set an initial case management conference to review the case. At the conference, the court must review the case comprehensively and decide whether to assign the case to an alternative dispute resolution process, whether to set the case for trial, and whether to take action regarding any of the other matters identified in rules 3.727 and 3.728. The initial case management conference should generally be the first case management event conducted by court order in each case, except for orders to show cause.
Rule 3.722.Case management conference
Division 7. Civil Case Management · Chapter 3. Case Management · Last amended 2022 · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceRule 3.722 lays out the initial case management conference, requiring the court to set it, give parties at least 45 days' notice, and expect every attorney and self-represented party to show up prepared, unless the court decides the case can be handled through a paper case management order instead.
Full Text of Rule 3.722
(b) Notice of the initial conference Notice of the date of the initial case management conference must be given to all parties no later than 45 days before the conference, unless otherwise ordered by the court. The court may provide by local rule for the time and manner of giving notice to the parties.
(c) Preparation for the conference At the conference, counsel for each party and each self-represented party must appear in person or remotely as provided in rule 3.672; must be familiar with the case; and must be prepared to discuss and commit to the party’s position on the issues listed in rules 3.724 and 3.727. (Subd (c) amended effective January 21, 2022; previously amended effective January 1, 2008.)
(d) Case management order without appearance If, based on its review of the written submissions of the parties and such other information as is available, the court determines that appearances at the conference are not necessary, the court may issue a case management order and notify the parties that no appearance is required.
(e) Option to excuse attendance at initial conferences in limited civil cases By local rule the court may provide that counsel and self-represented parties are not to attend an initial case management conference in limited civil cases unless ordered to do so by the court.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 3.722 sets up the initial case management conference, the event most California civil litigants will recognize as the true start of active case management. The court has to set this conference in every case, and at it, the court reviews the case comprehensively: deciding whether to send it to alternative dispute resolution, whether to set it for trial, and whether to act on other case management matters. Except for orders to show cause, this conference is meant to be the first case management event the court orders in the case.
Notice has to go out at least 45 days before the conference, unless the court orders otherwise or a local rule sets its own timing and method. Once notice is given, the rule expects real preparation: every attorney and self-represented party has to appear, either in person or remotely under Rule 3.672, know the case well, and be ready to discuss and commit to a position on the case management issues the rules identify.
Appearances are not always required, though. If the court can tell from the parties' written submissions that a conference is not needed, it can issue a case management order without anyone appearing at all. And in limited civil cases, a court can adopt a local rule excusing attendance at initial conferences entirely unless it orders otherwise.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the initial case management conference?
The court reviews the case comprehensively, deciding whether to send it to alternative dispute resolution, whether to set it for trial, and whether to act on other case management issues identified in Rules 3.724 and 3.727.
How much notice do parties get before the conference?
At least 45 days, unless the court orders a different timeline or a local rule sets its own notice procedure.
Can I appear at the case management conference remotely?
Yes. Rule 3.722(c) allows attorneys and self-represented parties to appear in person or remotely under Rule 3.672.
Do I always have to show up in person or remotely for this conference?
Not necessarily. If the court decides, based on the parties' written submissions, that an appearance is not needed, it can issue a case management order without one. Limited civil cases may also be excused from attendance by local rule.
Amendment History
Rule 3.722 amended effective January 21, 2022; adopted effective January 1, 2007; previously amended effective January 1, 2008.
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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