Any small claims division may use law clerks to assist the judge with legal research of small claims cases.
§ 116.270.Law clerks
Title 1. Organization and Jurisdiction · Chapter 5.5. Small Claims Court · Article 2. Small Claims Court · Enacted 1990 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 116.270 allows a small claims division to use law clerks to help the judge with legal research on small claims cases.
Full Text of § 116.270
Plain-English Summary
Section 116.270 is a short staffing provision: any small claims division may use law clerks to assist the judge with legal research related to small claims cases. It does not give clerks any decision-making role — the assistance is limited to research support for the judge deciding the case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can small claims judges get help from law clerks in California?
Yes. Section 116.270 permits a small claims division to use law clerks to assist the judge with legal research on small claims cases.
Do law clerks decide small claims cases?
No. Section 116.270 limits their role to assisting the judge with legal research; the judge or temporary judge remains the decision-maker.
Amendment History
Added Stats 1990 ch 1305 § 3 (SB 2627).
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 28, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: small claims law clerk californialaw clerk legal research small claims court