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Home » General Info » Temporary Judge Program
Temporary judge program
Through the Temporary Judge Program, the Court maintains a panel of trained, qualified, and experienced attorneys who may serve as temporary judges in the area of Small Claims. Approximately 400 new small claims cases are filed with the court each year. Temporary judges serving in the Small Claims division preside over trials, hearing only such law and motion matters as may pertain to the trial before them. This was developed in collaboration with the local bar to expedite cases in a timely manner.
Recruitment
At this time, recruitment for the Temporary Judge Program is closed.
Requirements
Experience Required for Appointment and Service
An attorney that has been admitted to practice as a member of the State Bar of California for 10 years may be appointed to serve as a temporary judge (however, for good cause, the presiding judge may permit an attorney who has been admitted to practice for at least 5 years to serve as a temporary judge).
Minimum Qualifications
The Presiding Judge may appoint an attorney to serve as a temporary judge only if the following minimum qualifications are satisfied. The attorney:
Mandatory Training Requirements
The Presiding Judge may appoint an attorney to serve as a temporary judge only if the following minimum training requirements are satisfied before appointment:
Attended and successfully completed, within the previous 3 years, a course of at least 3 hours duration on the subjects identified in rule. 2.813(a) approved by the Court in which the attorney will serve. This course must be taken in-person.
Attended and successfully completed, within the previous 3 years, a course of at least 3 hours duration on the subjects identified in rule 2.813(b) approved by the Court in which the attorney will serve. This course may be taken by any means approved by the Court, including in-person, by broadcast with participation, or online.
3. Substantive Training (Small Claims)
Attended and successfully completed, within the previous;3 years, a course on the substantive law in Small Claims 2.813(c) which the attorney will serve as a temporary judge. This course may be taken by any means approved by the Court, including in person, by broadcast with participation, or online.
For listing and scheduling of classes, please click on the Online Course Schedule link under Resources
Contact Information
Questions and comments should be directed via email to the Temporary Judge Program Administrator at info@napacourt.com
Resources
Online Course Schedule and Resources for Temporary Judges
The following Rules of Court apply to Temporary Judges:
- Rule 2.810 Temporary Judges appointed by the trial courts
- Rule 2.811 Court appointment of Temporary Judges
- Rule 2.812 Requirements for court appointment of an attorney to serve as a Temporary Judge
- Rule 2.813 Contents of training programs
- Rule 2.814 Appointment of Temporary Judges
- Rule 2.815 Continuing education
- Rule 2.816 Stipulation to court-appointed Temporary Judges
- Rule 2.817 Disclosure to the parties
- Rule 2.818 Disqualifications and limitations
Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 1-710
The following sections of the Canons of Judicial Ethics relating to fairness are applicable to Temporary Judges: Canons 2A, 2C, 3B(5), 3B(6), 3B(8), 3C(1), 3C(2), 3C(4), 3E, 5B, and 6D(3)(a).


