LOS ANGELES – Governor Gavin Newsom's emergency order that will allow the state’s civil justice system to function electronically during the COVID-19 crisis has been broadly welcomed by court users.
His order allows attorneys to utilize electronic service of process and remote depositions in every case, circumventing a law that had previously required parties to be deposed in person.
Mike Belote, lobbyist for California Defense Counsel, told the Southern California Record that the organization appreciates the state's addressing civil court matters during the crisis.
"The truth is that the statutes relating to emergencies and the chief justice were not really designed for an entire state shutting down.
"The California Judicial Council members are working their tails off to address these subjects. Under the current situation, you don't want a requirement that a person being deposed must be in the same room as the court reporter. The new emphasis on electronic communications will be helpful in that regard.”
Newsom gave Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye and the California Judicial Council the authority to take necessary steps to ensure that legal rights aren’t undercut, including uniformly extending court deadlines on statute of limitations and other matters, according to a Consumer Attorney of California press release.
Additionally, they gave Cantil-Sakauye the discretion to make any modifications to legal practice and procedure she deems necessary in order to continue conducting business. This authority is expected to include extending filing deadlines during the health crisis and remote access hearings during the mandated COVID-19 orders.