A qualified attorney rendering legal services pursuant to this article shall not appear in a court of this state unless he or she has applied for and received permission to appear as counsel pro hac vice pursuant to the California Rules of Court, as applicable.
§ 1297.187.Permission to Appear Pro Hac Vice
Title 9.3. Arbitration and Conciliation of International Commercial Disputes · Chapter 5. Manner and Conduct of Arbitration · Article 1.5. Representation by Foreign and Out-of-State Attorneys · Enacted 2018 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceSection 1297.187 bars a qualified attorney rendering services under this article from appearing in a California court unless first granted permission to appear as counsel pro hac vice.
Full Text of § 1297.187
Plain-English Summary
The permission this article grants covers representation in an arbitration, conciliation, or related ADR proceeding -- it does not extend to a California courtroom. A qualified attorney who wants to appear in a California court in connection with the same matter still has to clear the ordinary pro hac vice process under the California Rules of Court.
This keeps the two tracks distinct: the arbitration-specific permission in Section 1297.186 operates on its own terms, without importing any general right to appear before a California judge. Court appearances remain governed by the same admission rules that apply to any out-of-state or foreign lawyer seeking to appear in California litigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a qualified attorney appear in a California courtroom just because of this article?
No -- appearing in a California court still requires applying for and receiving permission to appear pro hac vice.
What rules govern that pro hac vice application?
The California Rules of Court, as applicable.
Amendment History
Added by Stats 2018 ch 134 (SB 766),s 1, eff. 1/1/2019.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 29, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: pro hac vice qualified attorney arbitrationforeign attorney court appearance california