(a) The superior court may, after notice to all parties, attempt to resolve any issues raised regarding a tribal court money judgment by contacting the tribal court judge who issued the judgment.
§ 1740.Resolution of Issues With Tribal Court Judge
Title 11. Money Judgments of Other Jurisdictions · Chapter 3. Tribal Court Civil Money Judgment Act · Enacted 2014 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceSection 1740 lets a superior court try to resolve issues about a tribal court money judgment by contacting the tribal court judge who issued it, after giving all parties notice, letting them participate, and preparing a record of the communication.
Full Text of § 1740
(b) The superior court shall allow the parties to participate in, and shall prepare a record of, any communication made with the tribal court judge pursuant to this section.
Plain-English Summary
Sometimes the fastest way to clear up a question about a tribal court money judgment is to ask the tribal judge who issued it, and Section 1740 gives the superior court that option. After notice to all parties, the superior court may reach out directly to the tribal court judge to try to resolve issues the recognition proceeding has raised, rather than guessing at what the tribal record means or resolving ambiguities against one side by default.
That contact isn't a private conversation between judges, though. The parties get to participate in the communication, and the superior court has to prepare a record of it, so the exchange becomes part of the case file rather than an off-the-record conversation that leaves the parties guessing about what was said.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a California judge talk directly to the tribal judge who issued the judgment?
Yes. Section 1740 lets the superior court contact the tribal court judge to try to resolve issues about the judgment, after giving notice to all parties.
Do the parties get any say in that communication?
Yes. The superior court must allow the parties to participate in any communication made with the tribal court judge under this section.
Is there a written record of what's discussed?
Yes. The section requires the superior court to prepare a record of any communication with the tribal court judge.
Amendment History
Added by Stats 2014 ch 243 (SB 406),s 4, eff. 1/1/2015.
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: court contacts tribal judge resolve issuescommunication with tribal court judgment