Procedures, Programs and Rules

This section features information helpful to those participating in the court process:

• The State Bar Court handles a variety of case types.  Brief descriptions of these case types may be accessed here.
• Proceedings in the State Bar Court are governed by the Rules of Procedure of the State Bar of California, approved by the State Bar Board of Trustees:
  • Rules of Procedure
• The State Bar Court Executive Committee adopts Rules of Practice of the State Bar Court for the conduct of proceedings:
  • Rules of Practice effective July 31, 2023.  The revised Rules of Practice include the rules that will govern voluntary electronic filing in the State Bar Court. The electronic filing rules will become effective on the launch date for electronic filing as posted on the State Bar Court website. 
• The State Bar Court issues General Orders and Hearing Department General Orders, and provides notices to parties.  This information is accessed on the State Bar Court Current Notices page.
• Attorneys facing discipline charges who wish to try to resolve the matter prior to having charges filed may request an  Early Neutral Evaluation Conference. The request form, procedures, and related rule are featured in this section.
• An attorney who is identified as having a substance abuse or mental health issue may be eligible to participate in the Alternative Discipline Program.  More information regarding the Program, including the applicable Rules of Procedure, is featured in this section.  
• Previously disbarred attorneys or those attorneys who resigned and who wish to seek reinstatement will find helpful information in the section entitled  Reinstatement Proceedings.