The rules in this article apply to all court mediation programs for general civil cases, as defined in rule 1.6, unless otherwise specified.
Rule 3.835.Application
Division 8. Alternative Dispute Resolution · Chapter 3. General Rules Relating to Mediation of Civil Cases · Article 1. Procedures for All Court Mediation Programs · Adopted 2012 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceThis threshold rule defines the reach of Article 1’s mediation procedures, applying them to every court-connected mediation program handling general civil cases unless a specific rule states otherwise.
Full Text of Rule 3.835
Plain-English Summary
Rule 3.835 is a gateway provision. It tells courts and mediators which programs the rules that follow cover: any court-connected mediation program set up to handle general civil cases. That is the broad category of ordinary civil lawsuits — contract disputes, personal injury claims, property disputes, and similar matters — as opposed to family law, juvenile, probate, or other case types that run under their own separate procedural rules.
The rule leaves room for exceptions. A later provision in this chapter can narrow, expand, or otherwise adjust how a particular rule applies to a given program, so a reader should not assume every rule in the chapter reaches every mediation program in exactly the same way. This rule sets the default; specific rules can depart from it when the text says so.
In practice, this provision rarely comes up on its own. It works quietly in the background, establishing the baseline before the more detailed procedural, conduct, and complaint rules in the rest of the chapter take over.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Rule 3.835 apply to family law or probate mediation programs?
No. This rule covers mediation programs for general civil cases — the ordinary civil lawsuits that make up most of a superior court’s civil docket. Family law, juvenile, probate, and similar matters are handled under their own separate procedural rules.
Can another rule override the general coverage this rule sets?
Yes. Rule 3.835 sets the default, but if a later rule in the chapter narrows or adjusts its own scope, that specific rule controls on its own topic. Always check whether a more detailed rule addresses your situation before relying on the general default.
Does this rule create any conduct standards for mediators?
No. Rule 3.835 only defines which programs the chapter’s rules reach. The actual standards of conduct for mediators appear later, starting with the purpose statement in Rule 3.850 and continuing through the rules that follow it.
Amendment History
Rule 3.835 adopted effective July 1, 2012.
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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