(a) Arbitration administrator The presiding judge must designate the ADR administrator selected under rule 10.783 to serve as arbitration administrator. The arbitration administrator must supervise the selection of arbitrators for the cases on the arbitration hearing list, generally supervise the operation of the arbitration program, and perform any additional duties delegated by the presiding judge. (Subd (a) amended effective January 1, 2007; previously amended effective January 1, 2004.)
Rule 3.813.Arbitration program administration
Division 8. Alternative Dispute Resolution · Chapter 2. Judicial Arbitration · Last amended 2007 · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceRule 3.813 designates the ADR administrator to run the day-to-day arbitration program under the presiding judge, and it gives the ADR committee responsibility for appointing and removing panel arbitrators, setting selection procedures, and reviewing how the program operates.
Full Text of Rule 3.813
(b) Responsibilities of ADR committee The ADR committee established under rule 10.783 is responsible for:
(1) Appointing the panels of arbitrators provided for in rule 3.814;
(2) Removing a person from a panel of arbitrators;
(3) Establishing procedures for selecting an arbitrator not inconsistent with these rules or local court rules; and
(4) Reviewing the administration and operation of the arbitration program periodically and making recommendations to the Judicial Council as the committee deems appropriate to improve the program, promote the ends of justice, and serve the needs of the community. (Subd (b) amended effective January 1, 2007; adopted as subd (d); previously amended and relettered as subd (b) effective January 1, 2004.)
Plain-English Summary
Two layers of oversight run California’s judicial arbitration program under Rule 3.813. On the ground level, the presiding judge designates the court’s ADR administrator to double as the arbitration administrator. That person supervises how arbitrators get selected for cases on the arbitration hearing list, oversees the program’s day-to-day operation, and takes on whatever additional duties the presiding judge assigns.
Above that sits the ADR committee, which carries the policy-level responsibilities: appointing the panels of arbitrators the program draws from, removing a person from a panel when necessary, and writing the procedures courts use to select an arbitrator for a given case, as long as those procedures do not conflict with the statewide or local rules. The committee also periodically reviews how the program is running and can recommend changes to the Judicial Council aimed at improving the program, serving justice, and meeting the community’s needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who runs the day-to-day operation of a court’s judicial arbitration program?
The arbitration administrator, who is the same person the presiding judge designates as the court’s ADR administrator.
Who decides who sits on the arbitration panels?
The ADR committee appoints the panels of arbitrators and can remove a person from a panel.
Can a court set its own procedure for picking an arbitrator on a given case?
Yes. The ADR committee can establish selection procedures, as long as they are not inconsistent with the statewide or local court rules.
Does anyone review how well the arbitration program is working?
Yes. The ADR committee periodically reviews the program’s administration and operation and can recommend changes to the Judicial Council.
Amendment History
Rule 3.813 amended and renumbered effective January 1, 2007; adopted as rule 1603 effective July 1, 1976; previously amended July 1, 1979, July 1, 1999, 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
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