Source: https://scocal.stanford.edu/opinion/elkins-v-super-ct-33784
Timestamp: 2020-08-15 17:18:24
Document Index: 315675505

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1200', '§ 128', '§ 68070', '§ 204', '§ 204', '§ 68600', '§ 68600', '§ 210', '§ 99', '§ 16', '§ 1200', '§ 1220', '§ 2336', '§ 2009', '§ 1538', '§ 210', '§ 711', '§ 2002', '§ 210', '§ 3', '§ 2003', '§ 2004', '§ 2005', '§ 210', '§ 3185', '§ 765', '§ 16', '§ 16', '§ 99', '§ 575', '§ 68608', '§ 68608', '§ 5', '§ 5', '§ 10']

Elkins v. Super. Ct. - S139073 - Mon, 08/06/2007 | California Supreme Court Resources
Home > Opinions > Elkins v. Super. Ct.
Docket No. S139073
Elkins v. Super. Ct.
JEFFREY ELKINS,
S139073
A111923
THE SUPERIOR COURT OF CONTRA
Super. Ct. No. MSD01-05226
Petitioner Jeffrey Elkins represented himself during a trial conducted in
marital dissolution proceedings instituted by his wife, Marilyn Elkins (real party in
interest), in the Contra Costa Superior Court. A local superior court rule and a
trial scheduling order in the family law court provided that in dissolution trials,
parties must present their case by means of written declarations. The testimony of
witnesses under direct examination was not allowed except in “unusual
circumstances,” although upon request parties were permitted to cross-examine
declarants. In addition, parties were required to establish in their pretrial
declarations the admissibility of all exhibits they sought to introduce at trial.
Petitioner’s pretrial declaration apparently failed to establish the evidentiary
foundation for all but two of his exhibits. Accordingly, the court excluded the 34
remaining exhibits. Without the exhibits, and without the ability through oral
testimony to present his case or establish a foundation for his exhibits, petitioner
rested his case. As the court observed, the trial proceeded “quasi by default,” and
the court’s disposition of the parties’ property claims demonstrated that the court
divided the marital property substantially in the manner requested by petitioner’s
Petitioner challenges the local court rule and trial scheduling order on the
grounds that they are inconsistent with the guarantee of due process of law, and
that they conflict with various provisions of the Evidence Code and the Code of
Civil Procedure. Respondent court counters that the promulgation of the rule and
order comes within its power to govern the proceedings before it, and that its rule
and order are consistent with constitutional and statutory provisions.
We need not reach petitioner’s constitutional claim because, as applied to
contested marital dissolution trials, the rule and order are inconsistent with various
statutory provisions.1 As we explain below, we reach this conclusion because,
pursuant to state law, marital dissolution trials proceed under the same general
rules of procedure that govern other civil trials. Written testimony in the form of a
declaration constitutes hearsay and is subject to statutory provisions governing the
introduction of such evidence. Our interpretation of the hearsay rule is consistent
with various statutes affording litigants a “day in court,” including the opportunity
to present all relevant, competent evidence on material issues, ordinarily through
the oral testimony of witnesses testifying in the presence of the trier of fact.
Although we are sympathetic to the need of trial courts to process the heavy
case load of dissolution matters in a timely manner, a fair and full adjudication on
Our conclusion does not affect hearings on motions.
the merits is at least as important in family law trials as in other civil matters, in
light of the importance of the issues presented such as the custody and well-being
of children and the disposition of a family’s entire net worth. Although
respondent court evidently sought to improve the administration of justice by
adopting and enforcing its rule and order, in doing so it improperly deviated from
Subsequent to the trial (and our grant of review) in the present case,
respondent incorporated much of its trial scheduling order into regularly adopted
and published local rules of court. As of January 1, 2007, respondent’s local rules
were amended to provide that although declarations still are required from each
witness in a dissolution trial, litigants have the option of calling witnesses for
direct examination in addition to filing declarations.2 This amendment does not
render petitioner’s case moot, because the prior rule and order were enforced
against petitioner. In addition, the amended rules still require the admission into
evidence of hearsay declarations, a practice inconsistent with the Evidence Code.
In addressing the issues raised by petitioner, we also exercise our inherent
authority to ensure the orderly administration of justice and to settle important
issues of statewide significance. (See People v. Kelly (2006) 40 Cal.4th 106, 110;
In re Roberts (2005) 36 Cal.4th 575, 593; Konig v. Fair Employment & Housing
Com. (2002) 28 Cal.4th 743, 745-745, fn. 3; Burch v. George (1994) 7 Cal.4th
The local rule effective January 1, 2007, is similar to the trial scheduling
order except that, in addition to the required declarations, it permits parties to
present live testimony limited to the scope of the material in the declaration
(Super. Ct. Contra Costa County, Local Rules, rule 12.8 F.1.a), italics added). The
rule also provides that “[a]ny required evidentiary foundation (including
stipulations) for admission of the proposed exhibits shall be completely set forth in
the declaration(s), as all rulings will be based on the declarations alone.” (Id.,
rule 12.8 F.5., italics added.)
246, 253, fn. 4.) In addition to providing guidance to the trial courts, our
discussion highlights the unusual burdens and restrictions that have been imposed
upon family law litigants at the local level in response to increasing case loads and
limited judicial resources. We observe that this problem may merit consideration
as a statewide policy matter, and suggest to the Judicial Council that it establish a
task force for that purpose.
Marilyn and Jeffrey Elkins were married on April 20, 1980. They had one
child, who was born in 1991. After Marilyn subsequently instituted marital
dissolution proceedings, the issue of date of separation was bifurcated and tried
first. Property issues were to be tried on September 19, 2005.
The matter proceeded subject to a local rule of court providing that at trials
in dissolution matters, “[d]irect examination on factual matters shall not be
permitted except in unusual circumstances or for proper rebuttal. The Court may
decide contested issues on the basis of the pleadings submitted by the parties
without live testimony.” (Super. Ct. Contra Costa County, Local Rules, former
rule 12.5(b)(3), eff. July 1, 2005.) In addition, the rule provided that “[s]ubject to
legal objection, amendment, and cross-examination, all declarations shall be
considered received in evidence at the hearing.” (Ibid.) Under the rule, a party’s
failure to file responsive pleadings, including declarations, in the time prescribed
by the rules authorized the court to “permit the matter to proceed as a default,” or
order a continuance and impose a monetary sanction on the “untimely party.” (Id.,
former rule 12.5(b)(4).)
A trial scheduling order (TSO or order) imposed additional restrictions and
sanctions. Like the rule, it ordered that all direct testimony at trial be presented
prior to trial in the form of declarations “filed in lieu of oral direct testimony,
subject to cross-examination.” Indeed, even if a party’s witness refused to sign a
declaration, the party was required to file an unsigned declaration.
Under the TSO, the parties were ordered to file initial declarations executed
by themselves and by their witnesses 10 court days prior to trial, along with trial
briefs. The order provided that the declarations were to “explain” the appended
complete set of trial exhibits, and that “[a]ny required evidentiary foundation for
admission of the proposed exhibits shall be completely set forth in the
declaration(s).”
Sanctions for failure to comply with the TSO were severe. “Failure to
provide initial declarations may result in there being no direct testimony on that
issue and issue sanctions may result. Failure to file a trial brief indicates to the
court that no cases are being relied on by that side. Failure to provide a
declaration because a witness refused to sign it shall not excuse the filing of [any]
unsigned declarations.” (Italics added.)
The TSO directed the parties to file responsive declarations and exhibits
five court days prior to trial, along with any objections to exhibits, as well as
responsive briefs and any demands for the production of declarants for the purpose
of cross-examination. The TSO concluded with the following warning: “Failure
to comply with these requirements will constitute good cause to exclude evidence
or testimony at trial and/or to make adverse inferences or findings of fact against
the non-complying party.”
Marilyn, who was represented by counsel, filed her declaration, exhibits,
and trial brief on September 2, 2005, and her responsive declaration on
September 8, 2005. Jeffrey, who was not represented by counsel, filed his trial
brief and declaration on September 2, 2005. He failed to attach his exhibits,
however, and his binder of 36 exhibits was not delivered to the court and to
opposing counsel until one court day prior to the date set for trial.
According to Marilyn’s declaration, the issues to be determined at trial
included (1) valuation and disposition of the family home; (2) Jeffrey’s right to
reimbursement for postseparation improvements to the home; (3) the
characterization and division of a multimillion-dollar litigation settlement awarded
to Jeffrey’s business; (4) the amount of Jeffrey’s income from specified sources;
(5) the characterization and division of assets withdrawn by Jeffrey from
community accounts; (6) division of a retirement account held in Marilyn’s name;
(7) the status of certain property declared to be the separate property of Marilyn;
(8) division of the contents of a joint safe deposit box; and (9) Marilyn’s attorney
fees. The issue of child support was reserved, and the parties waived spousal
The matter came on for trial. Counsel for Marilyn objected to all but two of
Jeffrey’s exhibits because, contrary to the TSO, Jeffrey’s declaration failed to refer
to the exhibits or offer a basis for their admission into evidence. The court had not
received its copy of Jeffrey’s declaration or exhibits when trial began, forcing it to
review Jeffrey’s copy on the bench. Marilyn’s counsel announced he would not
cross-examine Jeffrey if the court sustained counsel’s objection to Jeffrey’s
exhibits, and asserted that Jeffrey therefore was “not entitled to offer any further
When Jeffrey explained that the procedure he had followed was the same
he had engaged in at the trial of the bifurcated issue of the date of separation, the
court admonished Jeffrey that he had misunderstood the objection raised by
Marilyn’s counsel. The court explained: “In order to get a document admitted
into evidence under the trial scheduling order . . . it says that the evidentiary basis
and foundation for each exhibit must be set forth in the declaration so the other
side can object to see, you know, if exhibits have an evidentiary basis or not. And
[Marilyn’s counsel is] saying that those exhibits don’t have any foundation in your
declaration. [¶] So if you can point me to the foundations in your declarations,
then we — we’ll dispose of that argument quickly[.] If not those — those exhibits
that don’t have an evidentiary foundation will be stricken.” (Italics added.)
The court provided a “typical example of what I’m talking about with
foundation,” noting that Jeffrey’s proposed exhibit No. 5 was not referred to in
Jeffrey’s declaration, “[s]o there’s no way of knowing what this document is
without any testimony — direct testimony saying what this is or what it purports to
[be].” (Italics added.) Jeffrey attempted to explain that his exhibit No. 5 “refers to
an accounting given to my wife — given by my wife to me, and this document is
in relation to that.”
The court responded: “I understand that. I’ve already reviewed your
declaration. Tentatively, I am going to rule in favor of [Marilyn]. I’m going to
allow you at one of the breaks that we have so as not to disrupt the flow right now
to rethink your argument and give me the specific evidentiary foundations for
these documents, but I don’t see it in your declaration. Particularly, the one we
were specifically taking about, Exhibit 5, I don’t see any specific reference to it in
your declaration. There’s a general reference to a general category.” (Italics
added.) Jeffrey responded: “Your Honor, there are no specific references in any
document.” The court, after asking Jeffrey not to interrupt, continued: “There’s a
general reference, and under that general category, arguably, every document
that’s ever been filed in this case would be generally referred to, but what’s
required under the trial scheduling order are the specific evidentiary foundations
so that I can rule on them. [¶] There being no evidentiary support for [Jeffrey’s
exhibits] with the exception of Exhibit 3 and 12 [to which counsel for Marilyn had
not objected because the foundation for the evidence appeared in Jeffrey’s
declaration], the objections will be sustained tentatively subject to further
argument after the morning break.” (Italics added.) No such break ensued.
Marilyn’s declaration and exhibits were admitted into evidence, and she
rested her case. Counsel for Marilyn objected to any consideration of the
proposed order filed by Jeffrey because the filing of that document was untimely
under the TSO.
The court stated its understanding, based upon Jeffrey’s declaration, that
Jeffrey did not wish to cross-examine Marilyn and that he consented to a
dissolution of the marriage. Jeffrey stated he was resting his case. The court
confirmed that Jeffrey had withdrawn his request to cross-examine Marilyn, and
Jeffrey added that he also wished to withdraw his request to cross-examine expert
witness Eggers. The court stated: “Well, before you rest, I’m assuming you
would like to admit into evidence your declaration,” but Jeffrey stated he did not
wish to do so. Accordingly, Jeffrey’s declaration was not admitted into evidence.
Without providing the anticipated “morning break,” the court invited closing
argument. Although observing that the trial was proceeding “quasi by default, so
to speak,” the court stated that both parties still should address the subjects of “the
furniture lists” and the contents of the safe deposit box. Counsel for Marilyn
responded that those issues had been settled by stipulation prior to trial.
Jeffrey confirmed the stipulations and further offered to relinquish his
interest in the family home and in his automobile. The court responded that
Jeffrey’s offer was too drastic and that the court would permit him to reconsider,
stating that the court would “render a decision along the lines of [counsel for
Marilyn’s] proposed order after trial, despite your request here, because that was
not what was before me to be tried today. And so the tenor of what you’ve just
said is in contrast to the declaration that you submitted to me that I prepped on,
your trial brief . . . .”
Jeffrey responded that he was not referring to the proposed order he had
submitted prior to trial. He declared: “My concern is that I came into the trial
with the intent of presenting my position, and I’m being cut out of that completely
with only reliance on two exhibits which are — no way can defend my position.
So I might as well give up my position and leave it to the best well-being of my
family.” (Italics added.)
The court responded that Jeffrey would be well advised to secure legal
counsel, and that the exclusion of Jeffrey’s exhibits would not lead to an order
depriving him of his interest in the family home, referring again to the proposed
order submitted prior to trial by Marilyn’s counsel. Jeffrey responded: “Your
Honor, if you take a spreadsheet and you add up and deduct everything that
[counsel for Marilyn] is asking for, I am left with nothing. Zero dollars. Zero
house. Zero car. Nothing. So what’s the difference?”
The court took the matter under submission. Marital status was terminated,
and additional issues were reserved for future trial. The court asked the parties to
decide by the end of the week whether to submit a settlement agreement
(presumably reflecting Jeffrey’s last-minute waiver of any interest in the
community property) or instead to ask the court to rule upon the proposed orders
that were submitted to the court prior to trial. Apparently the parties selected the
latter option; on October 3, 2005, the court filed a final disposition of the property
issues still reflecting Jeffrey’s half-interest in the family home. The order noted
the parties’ stipulation concerning child custody and visitation and the court’s
reservation of jurisdiction over the matter of child support. By further stipulation,
the parties waived spousal support, and the court’s jurisdiction over that issue was
terminated. The community interest in Marilyn’s retirement account was divided,
and the court resolved the additional property issues identified in Marilyn’s
declaration in a manner substantially reflecting the order proposed by Marilyn.
Jeffrey filed a petition for writ of mandate or prohibition in the Court of
Appeal. He asserted that there was no statutory authority for the local rule and
order preventing the parties from presenting the direct examination of witnesses
and requiring the evidentiary foundation for proposed exhibits to be established in
a declaration filed well in advance of trial. He further argued that the local rule
and order established a system of “trial by declaration” that violated due process
principles and placed an “unreasonable burden” on litigants. Jeffrey’s petition
also contended that the sanctions established by the rule and order were
inconsistent with the policy favoring trial on the merits, and that their enforcement
by the trial court constituted an abuse of discretion requiring reversal of the
judgment that resolved the parties’ community property dispute.
The Court of Appeal summarily denied the petition. We subsequently
granted petitioner’s petition for review and ordered the Contra Costa County
Superior Court to show cause why the challenged local rule and trial scheduling
order should not be deemed invalid for the reasons stated in the petition for writ of
mandate or prohibition.3 Prior to hearing oral argument, this court requested and
received briefing on the question whether the local rules and order conflicted with
the hearsay rule. (Evid. Code, § 1200.)
Thereafter, we invited and received amicus curiae briefs from the Family
Law Section of the Contra Costa Bar Association, the California Association of
Certified Family Law Specialists, and the Northern and Southern California
Chapters of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, who were joined in
their brief in support of petitioner by the Los Angeles County Bar Association, the
Los Angeles County Bar Association Family Law Section, the Orange County Bar
Association, the Honorable Donald B. King, Justice of the First District Court of
Appeal (Retired), the Honorable Sheila Prell Sonenshine, Justice of the Fourth
District Court of Appeal (Retired), the Honorable J.E.T. Rutter, Judge of the
Orange County Superior Court (Retired), and the Honorable Richard Denner,
Judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court (Retired).
As respondent court asserts, trial courts possess inherent rulemaking
authority as well as rulemaking authority granted by statute. (Rutherford v.
Owens-Illinois, Inc. (1997) 16 Cal.4th 953, 967 (Rutherford); Code Civ. Proc,
§§ 128, 177, 575.1; Gov. Code, § 68070.) “It is . . . well established that courts
have fundamental inherent equity, supervisory, and administrative powers, as well
as inherent power to control litigation before them. [Citation.] . . . ‘. . . That
inherent power entitles trial courts to exercise reasonable control over all
proceedings connected with pending litigation . . . in order to insure the orderly
administration of justice. [Citation.]’ ” (Rutherford, supra, 16 Cal.4th at p. 967.)
The scope of a court’s inherent rulemaking authority has been discussed in
various decisions (see, e.g., Rutherford, supra, 16 Cal.4th at pp. 967-968), and the
outer limits of such authority are clear.4 A trial court is without authority to adopt
local rules or procedures that conflict with statutes or with rules of court adopted
by the Judicial Council, or that are inconsistent with the Constitution or case law.
(Rutherford, supra, at pp. 967-968; see also Hall v. Superior Court (2005) 133
Cal.App.4th 908, 916-918.) As provided in Government Code section 68070,
subdivision (a): “Every court may make rules for its own government and the
government of its officers not inconsistent with law or with the rules adopted and
prescribed by the Judicial Council.” (Italics added; see also 2 Witkin, Cal.
Procedure (4th ed. 1996) Courts, § 204, p. 272; id. (2006 supp.) § 204, pp. 87-88.)
In speaking of the limits of a trial court’s authority, we note that
constitutional issues concerning separation of powers between the judicial branch
and the legislative branch are not involved in the present case. (See, e.g., Superior
Court v. County of Mendocino (1996) 13 Cal.4th 45.)
In sum, local courts may not create their own rules of evidence and procedure in
conflict with statewide statutes.
Reviewing courts have not hesitated to strike down local court rules or
policies on the ground they are inconsistent with statute, with California Rules of
Court promulgated by the Judicial Council, or with case law or constitutional law.
Appellate decisions have invalidated local rules or restricted their application in
many areas of affected litigation, including dissolution actions,5 litigation under
the Trial Court Delay Reduction Act (Gov. Code § 68600 et seq.) (fast track
litigation),6 complex litigation (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.400 et seq.),7 and
general civil litigation.8 We also have disapproved rules and procedures adopted
5 In Hogoboom v. Superior Court (1996) 51 Cal.App.4th 653, 656, for
example, the reviewing court invalidated a trial court rule imposing its own family
law mediation fee in addition to fees specifically established by statute. In
McLaughlin v. Superior Court (1983) 140 Cal.App.3d 473, 481, the reviewing
court held that a local rule denied due process of law in purporting to permit a
custody mediator to make a written recommendation to the court without
providing a factual basis and without facing cross-examination.
Boyle v. CertainTeed Corp. (2006) 137 Cal.App.4th 645, 655 (local
courts cannot shorten the statutory notice period or alter standards for production
of evidence for summary judgment hearings); Hock v. Superior Court (1990) 221
Cal.App.3d 670, 673-674 (invalidating local fast track rule under which counsel
could not be substituted subsequent to trial setting conference without court’s
See First State Ins. Co. v. Superior Court (2000) 79 Cal.App.4th 324, 336
(invalidating trial court’s case management order that prohibited filing motions for
summary judgment absent compliance with various nonstatutory conditions).
See Thatcher v. Lucky Stores, Inc. (2000) 79 Cal.App.4th 1081, 1086 (local
rule authorizing granting motion for summary judgment based solely on the
absence of opposition was inconsistent with applicable statute); Pacific Trends
Lamp & Lighting Products, Inc. v. J. White, Inc. (1998) 65 Cal.App.4th 1131,
1135-1136 (local rule improperly required parties to “meet and confer” prior to
filing motion for new trial; sanctions for violation of local rule were inconsistent
with statutory procedure); Sierra Craft, Inc. v. Magnum Enterprises, Inc. (1998)
by the Courts of Appeal (see People v. Pena (2004) 32 Cal.4th 389, 400), as well
as rules adopted by the Judicial Council. (See People v. Hall (1994) 8 Cal.4th
950, 963.)
A common theme in the appellate decisions invalidating local rules, and
one that also appears in the present case, is that a local court has advanced the
goals of efficiency and conservation of judicial resources by adopting procedures
that deviated from those established by statute, thereby impairing the
countervailing interests of litigants as well as the interest of the public in being
afforded access to justice, resolution of a controversy on the merits, and a fair
In Lammers v. Superior Court (2000) 83 Cal.App.4th 1309, for example, a
local court rule governing family law proceedings required the parties to file a
timely request that the court review the case file prior to a hearing on a contested
matter. In order to avoid obvious constitutional issues, the reviewing court refused
to endorse the trial court’s view that the local rule relieved the court of the
obligation to read the case file at all when the request to do so was untimely. The
Court of Appeal explained that “a measure implemented for the sake of efficiency
64 Cal.App.4th 1252, 1255-1256 (local rule improperly permitted grant of
summary judgment on grounds inconsistent with statute); Kalivas v. Barry
Controls Corp. (1996) 49 Cal.App.4th 1152, 1158 (Kalivas) (local rule governing
summary judgment requiring that parties file joint statement of disputed and
undisputed facts was invalid because it was inconsistent with statute); Wells Fargo
Bank v. Superior Court (1988) 206 Cal.App.3d 918, 922-923 (invalidating local
rule requiring “extensive” or “complicated” motions for summary judgment to be
specially set under notice period shorter than that established by statute); St.
Vincent Medical Center v. Superior Court (1984) 160 Cal.App.3d 1030, 1033-
1034 (invalidating trial-setting-conference order shortening time for exchange of
expert witness lists to less than what was provided by statute).
cannot jeopardize the constitutional integrity of the judicial process [citation]. In
other words, court congestion and ‘the press of business’ will not justify depriving
parties of fundamental rights and a full and fair opportunity to present all
competent and material evidence relevant to the matter to be adjudicated.” (Id. at
p. 1319.)9
This court made similar observations in Garcia v. McCutchen (1997) 16
Cal.4th 469 (Garcia), involving fast track litigation. (Gov. Code § 68600 et seq.)
We concluded a trial court was without authority to dismiss an action for failure to
comply with local fast track rules, because such a dismissal contravened a statute
establishing that sanctions for failure to comply with these rules should fall on
counsel, and not on the party, if counsel was responsible for the failure to comply.
(Garcia, supra, 16 Cal.4th at p. 471.)
We rejected the trial court’s argument that such power to dismiss was
essential to serve the goal of reducing delay in litigation. We pointed out that the
Trial Court Delay Reduction Act did not elevate delay reduction over the right of a
litigant to present his or her case to the court, nor was delay reduction favored over
deciding cases on the merits. “ ‘Cases filed in California’s trial courts should be
resolved as expeditiously as possible, consistent with the obligation of the courts
See Lokeijak v. City of Irvine (1998) 65 Cal.App.4th 341, 342
(disapproving a local court policy discouraging the filing of motions for summary
judgment because, according to the local courts, the statutory procedure was
“unduly time consuming”); Jovine v. FHP, Inc. (1998) 64 Cal.App.4th 1506, 1532
(trial court’s policy of referring summary judgment motions to a referee did not
comport with statute; “ ‘[e]fficiency is not more important than preserving the
constitutional integrity of the judicial process’ ”); see also Mediterranean
Construction Co. v. State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. (1998) 66 Cal.App.4th 257,
265 (trial court erred in declining to hear oral argument on a motion for summary
judgment; reviewing court urged trial courts not to “elevate judicial expediency
over [a statutory] mandate”).
to give full and careful consideration to the issues presented, and consistent with
the right of parties to adequately prepare and present their cases to the courts.’
[Citation.] Thus, in establishing delay reduction programs, the Legislature
recognized competing public policy considerations and ‘attempt[ed] to balance the
need for expeditious processing of civil matters with the rights of individual
litigants.’ [Citation.]” (Garcia, supra, 16 Cal.4th at pp. 479-480.)
Although some informality and flexibility have been accepted in marital
dissolution proceedings, such proceedings are governed by the same statutory
rules of evidence and procedure that apply in other civil actions (with exceptions
inapplicable to the present case). The Family Code establishes as the law of the
state — and superior courts are without authority to adopt rules that deviate from
this law — that except as otherwise provided by statute or rule adopted by the
Judicial Council, “the rules of practice and procedure applicable to civil actions
generally . . . apply to, and constitute the rules of practice and procedure in,
proceedings under [the Family Code].” (Fam. Code, § 210; In re Marcus (2006)
138 Cal.App.4th 1009, 1017; In re Marriage of Mallory (1997) 55 Cal.App.4th
1165, 1170; cf. Fewel v. Fewel (1943) 23 Cal.2d 431, 438-439 (conc. opn. of
Traynor, J.) (Fewel); see also 11 Witkin, Summary of Cal. Law (10th ed. 2005)
Husband and Wife, § 99, pp. 152-154; Hogoboom & King, Cal. Practice Guide:
Family Law (The Rutter Group 2007), ¶¶ 13:80, 13:81, pp. 13-22-13.23;
Samuels & Mandabach, Practice Under the Cal. Family Code (Cont.Ed.Bar 2007
ed.) §§ 16.3-16.5, pp. 745-746.)
The rule and order that were applied in the present case called for the
admission of declarations in lieu of direct testimony at trial. It is well established,
however, that declarations constitute hearsay and are inadmissible at trial, subject
to specific statutory exceptions, unless the parties stipulate to the admission of the
declarations or fail to enter a hearsay objection. (Evid. Code, § 1200; Lacrabere v.
Wise (1904) 141 Cal. 554, 556-557 (Lacrabere); see also Estate of Fraysher
(1956) 47 Cal.2d 131, 135; Fewel, supra, 23 Cal.2d at pp. 438-439 (conc. opn. of
Traynor, J.); Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency v. McGrath (2005) 128
Cal.App.4th 1093, 1107; Windingo Mills v. Unemployment Ins. Appeals Bd.
(1979) 92 Cal.App.3d 586, 597; Reifler v. Superior Court (1974) 39 Cal.App.3d
479, 484-485 (Reifler); In re Estate of Horman (1968) 265 Cal.App.2d 796, 805.)
The law provides specific exceptions to the general rule excluding hearsay
evidence (see, e.g., Evid. Code, § 1220 et seq.), including those governing the
admission of affidavits or declarations. For example, in the marital dissolution
context, Family Code section 2336 requires various items of proof of fact to be
submitted to the court in support of a default judgment and requires such proof to
be in the form of an affidavit. (Fam. Code, § 2336, subd. (a).) But there is no
general statutory exception to the hearsay rule for contested marital dissolution
trials. On the contrary, the existence of a specific statutory exception for default
judgments, where an adversary proceeding is waived or forfeited, only serves to
support the general rule that hearsay declarations are inadmissible at contested
marital dissolution trials.
Another statutory exception to the hearsay rule permits courts to rely upon
affidavits in certain motion matters. (Code Civ. Proc, § 2009.)10 Although
affidavits or declarations are authorized in certain motion matters under Code of
Code of Civil Procedure section 2009 provides: “An affidavit may be used
to verify a pleading or a paper in a special proceeding, to prove the service of a
summons, notice, or other paper in an action or special proceeding, to obtain a
provisional remedy, the examination of a witness, or a stay of proceedings, and in
uncontested proceedings to establish a record of birth, or upon a motion, and in
any other case expressly permitted by statute.” (Italics added.)
Civil Procedure section 2009, this statute does not authorize their admission at a
contested trial leading to judgment. As this court explained in Lacrabere, supra,
141 Cal. 554, Code of Civil Procedure section 2009 “has no application to the
proof of facts which are directly in controversy in an action. It was not intended to
have the effect of changing the general rules of evidence by substituting voluntary
ex parte affidavits for the testimony of witnesses. The section only applies to
matters of procedure — matters collateral, ancillary, or incidental to an action or
proceeding — and has no relation to proof of facts the existence of which are
made issues in the case, and which it is necessary to establish to sustain a cause of
action.” (Lacrabere, supra, at pp. 556-557, italics added; see also Fewel, supra,
23 Cal.2d at p. 438 (conc. opn. of Traynor, J.) [“The fact that section 2009 permits
[the admission of affidavits] ‘upon a motion’ does not mean that the issues in a
contested case may be determined and a judgment rendered on the basis of written
statements of parties not before the court”]; Hogoboom & King, Cal. Practice
Guide: Family Law, supra, ¶ 13:106, p. 13-30.)
The same point was emphasized in Reifler, supra, 39 Cal.App.3d 479. In
that case the Court of Appeal considered a challenge to a Los Angeles Superior
Court policy of adjudicating long-cause hearings on postjudgment motions in
marital dissolution matters solely on the basis of affidavits. The reviewing court
acknowledged that affidavits ordinarily are excluded as hearsay, but concluded
Code of Civil Procedure section 2009 provides a hearsay exception that grants a
trial court discretion to decide motions on the basis of affidavits — even when
facts are controverted — but only so long as the controverted facts do not require
factfinding resulting in a judgment. (Reifler, supra, at pp. 484-485.) The court
expressed no doubt that hearsay was inadmissible at a contested marital
dissolution trial.
A recent decision by this court demonstrates the limited application of
Code of Civil Procedure section 2009, and also illuminates the policy underlying
application of the hearsay rule when questions of credibility arise, as they certainly
do in dissolution trials. (People v. Johnson (2006) 38 Cal.4th 717 (Johnson).) In
Johnson, we concluded that at a pretrial hearing on a motion to suppress evidence
in a criminal case (Pen. Code, § 1538.5), the prosecution cannot carry its burden
by submitting affidavits in lieu of live testimony. The pertinent statute, Penal
Code section 1538.5, did not provide for such a procedure, and the historic
practice long had been to require oral testimony. (Johnson, supra, 38 Cal.4th at
pp. 726, 728.)
Moreover, as we explained in Johnson, “allowing a prosecutor to oppose a
suppression motion with written affidavits in lieu of live testimony would be
inconsistent with the trial court’s vital function of assessing the credibility of
witnesses.” (Johnson, supra, 38 Cal.4th. at p. 729, fn. 8; see id. at p. 726.) A
suppression motion “presents issues as to which the credibility of witnesses often
is of critical significance” (id. at p. 731), and the witness’s personal presence and
oral testimony is significant because it “ ‘enable[s] the trier of fact to consider the
demeanor of the witness in weighing his testimony and judging his credibility.’ ”
(Id. at p. 733.)
We also observed in Johnson that, unlike a pretrial suppression motion, the
motions referred to in Code of Civil Procedure section 2009 are on “preliminary or
ancillary procedural matters” that historically have been decided on the basis of
affidavits alone, whereas it is well settled that section 2009 does not change the
rules of evidence. (Johnson, supra, 38 Cal.4th at p. 730.) Quoting Lacrabere,
supra, 141 Cal. 554, we confirmed that section 2009 “ ‘has no relation to proof of
facts the existence of which are made issues in the case, and which it is necessary
to establish to sustain a cause of action.’ ” (Johnson, supra, at p. 730, italics
We conclude that respondent’s rule and order are inconsistent with the
hearsay rule to the extent they render written declarations admissible as a basis for
decision in a contested marital dissolution trial. As we shall discuss, our
conclusion is consistent with fundamental principles established in other statutes.
All relevant evidence is admissible, including evidence bearing on the issue of
witness credibility (Evid. Code, §§ 210, 351), and the oral testimony of witnesses
supplies valuable evidence relevant to credibility, a critical issue in many marital
dissolution trials. Permitting oral testimony rather than relying upon written
declarations also is consistent with the historically and statutorily accepted
practice of conducting trial by means of the oral testimony of witnesses given in
the presence of the trier of fact. (See Evid. Code, §§ 711, 780; Code of Civ. Proc.,
§§ 2002, 2005.) The conclusion we reach also permits us to avoid the difficult
question whether the local rule and order violate petitioner’s right to due process
of law, “[m]indful [as we are] of the prudential rule of judicial restraint that
counsels against rendering a decision on constitutional grounds if a statutory basis
for resolution exists.” ( NBC Subsidiary (KNBC-TV), Inc. v. Superior Court (1999)
20 Cal.4th 1178, 1190.) This rule directs that “if reasonably possible, statutory
provisions should be interpreted in a manner that avoids serious constitutional
questions.” (Id. at p. 1197.)
As noted, evidence bearing on the issue of credibility of witnesses comes
within the basic rule that all relevant evidence is admissible, except as specifically
provided by statute. (Evid. Code, §§ 210, 351.) Describing a party’s fundamental
right to present evidence at trial in a civil case, Witkin observes: “One of the
elements of a fair trial is the right to offer relevant and competent evidence on a
material issue. Subject to such obvious qualifications as the court’s power to
restrict cumulative and rebuttal evidence [citation], and to exclude unduly
prejudicial matter [citation], denial of this fundamental right is almost always
considered reversible error. [Citations.]” (3 Witkin, Cal. Evidence (4th ed. 2000)
Presentation at Trial, § 3 pp. 28-29, italics added.) Ordinarily, parties have the
right to testify in their own behalf (Guardianship of Waite (1939) 14 Cal.2d 727,
730), and a party’s opportunity to call witnesses to testify and to proffer
admissible evidence is central to having his or her day in court. (Kelly v. New
West Federal Savings (1996) 49 Cal.App.4th 659, 677; see Spector v. Superior
Court (1961) 55 Cal.2d 839, 843, 844.)
As stated by an appellate court in 1943 with reference to a trial court’s
refusal to permit a witness to testify in a marital dissolution matter: “We are fully
cognizant of the press of business presented to the judge who presides over the
Domestic Relations Department of the Superior Court . . . , and highly commend
his efforts to expedite the handling of matters which come before him. However,
such efforts should never be directed in such manner as to prevent a full and fair
opportunity to the parties to present all competent, relevant, and material evidence
bearing upon any issue properly presented for determination. [¶] Matters of
domestic relations are of the utmost importance to the parties involved and also to
the people of the State of California. . . . To this end a trial judge should not
determine any issue that is presented for his consideration until he has heard all
competent, material, and relevant evidence the parties desire to introduce.”
(Shippey v. Shippey (1943) 58 Cal.App.2d 174, 177, italics added.)
Oral testimony of witnesses given in the presence of the trier of fact is
valued for its probative worth on the issue of credibility, because such testimony
affords the trier of fact an opportunity to observe the demeanor of witnesses.
(Ohio v. Roberts (1980) 448 U.S. 56, 64.) A witness’s demeanor is “part of the
evidence” and is “of considerable legal consequence.” (People v. Adams (1993)
19 Cal.App.4th 412, 438; see Meiner v. Ford Motor Co. (1971) 17 Cal.App.3d
127, 140-141 [“[O]ne who sees, hears and observes [a witness] may be convinced
of his honesty, his integrity, [and] his reliability . . . because a great deal of that
highly delicate process we call evaluating the credibility of a witness is based on
. . . ‘intuition’ ”].)
The testimony of witnesses given on direct examination is afforded
significant weight at trial in ascertaining their credibility; cross-examination does
not provide the sole evidence relevant to the weight to be accorded their
testimony. “In a contested hearing, the precise words and demeanor of a witness
during direct as well as cross-examination bears on the credibility and weight the
trier of fact accords the witness’s testimony. Moreover, observation of a witness
on direct is important to the planning and execution of effective cross-
examination.” (Denny H. v. Superior Court (2005) 131 Cal.App.4th 1501, 1513-
1514.)
Ordinarily, written testimony is substantially less valuable for the purpose
of evaluating credibility. (Goldberg v. Kelly (1970) 397 U.S. 254, 269
[“Particularly where credibility and veracity are at issue . . . written submissions
are a wholly unsatisfactory basis for decision”]; Rosenthal v. Great Western Fin.
Securities Corp. (1996) 14 Cal.4th 394, 414 [“ ‘it’s pretty difficult to weigh
credibility without seeing the witnesses’ ”].) “A prepared, concise statement read
by counsel may speed up the hearing, but it is no substitute for the real thing. Lost
is the opportunity for the trier of fact and counsel to assess the witness’s strengths
and weaknesses, recollection, and attempts at evasion or spinning the facts . . . . [¶]
. . . [W]ith a scripted statement, prepared and agreed to by one party in advance,
comes the passage of time and with that lapse may come the party’s unyielding
acceptance of the script. Lost to cross-examination is the opponent’s ability to
immediately test and dissect adverse testimony.” (Denny H. v. Superior Court,
supra, 131 Cal.App.4th at p. 1514, italics omitted.)
The historical pattern of a trial as an oral examination of witnesses in the
presence of the trier of fact rather than an exchange of written declarations is
reflected in Evidence Code section 711, which provides that “[a]t the trial of an
action, a witness can be heard only in the presence and subject to the examination
of all the parties to the action, if they choose to attend and examine.” (Italics
added.) Also in conformity with the historical form of a trial, Evidence Code
section 780 directs the trier of fact to evaluate witness credibility by, among other
methods, observing the witness’s demeanor “while testifying” as well as his or her
“attitude toward the action in which he testifies or toward the giving of
testimony.” (Italics added.)
Although Code of Civil Procedure section 2002 provides that the testimony
of a witness may be taken by affidavit,11 deposition,12 or oral examination,
deposition testimony is admissible at trial only as prescribed by certain statutes not
at issue in the present case. Moreover, affidavits (a term including declarations
made under oath), as explained, constitute hearsay and are inadmissible at trial in
the absence of stipulation or lack of objection, or as otherwise provided by law.
The only remaining means recognized in Code of Civil Procedure section
2002 for taking the testimony of a witness is oral examination. In a provision that
again reflects the historical form of the adversary trial in which live witnesses are
An affidavit constitutes a “written declaration under oath, made without
notice to the adverse party.” (Code Civ. Proc., § 2003.)
A deposition constitutes “a written declaration, under oath, made upon
notice to the adverse party, for the purpose of enabling him to attend and cross-
examine.” (Code Civ. Proc., § 2004; see Hogoboom & King, Cal. Practice Guide:
Family Law, supra, ¶ 13:125, pp. 13-34-13-35 [use of discovery at trial].)
examined in the presence of the parties and the finder of fact, oral examination is
defined as “an examination in presence of the jury or tribunal which is to decide
the fact or act upon it, the testimony being heard by the jury or tribunal from the
lips of the witness.” (Code Civ. Proc., § 2005, italics added.)13
In sum, consistent with the traditional concept of a trial as reflected in
provisions of the Evidence Code and the Code of Civil Procedure, we conclude
that respondent’s rule and order calling for the admission and use of declarations
at trial conflict with the hearsay rule.
Respondent contends courts have authority to adopt nonstatutory
exceptions to the hearsay rule and that prior decisions approve of such exceptions
in marital dissolution matters. Cases cited in support of the latter proposition,
however (see, e.g., Reifler, supra, 39 Cal.App.3d 479), conclude that statutory
authorization, namely Code of Civil Procedure section 2009, exists for deciding
motion matters in marital dissolution proceedings on the basis of declarations. As
Marilyn, real party in interest, contends “sworn declarations of witnesses
present at the trial and available for cross-examination are not hearsay . . . .”
Marilyn reasons that when a declaration is properly sworn, the declarant becomes
a witness who “testifies” within the meaning of Code of Civil Procedure section
2002, and at least as long as the declarant is present at the hearing, the declaration
does not fall within Evidence Code section 1200’s prohibition on hearsay
evidence. We agree with the court in Schraer v. Berkeley Property Owners’ Assn.
(1989) 207 Cal.App.3d 719, which rejected a similar argument that an affidavit
itself constitutes “testimony” at a hearing. (Id. at p. 731 [“Code of Civil Procedure
section 2002 cannot be used to read into every other statutory use of the word
‘testimony’ a license to use affidavits or deposition transcripts for all the same
purposes as oral examination”].) Moreover, as petitioner points out, Marilyn’s
theory would authorize courts to adopt a system of trial by declaration in any civil
action, despite the restrictions of Code of Civil Procedure section 2009 and the
we have explained, this statute does not authorize the introduction of hearsay
evidence at a contested trial. Respondent has not offered any persuasive argument
in support of its claim that an individual local court may adopt a hearsay exception
applicable solely to marital dissolution trials despite state law providing that
marital dissolution proceedings are to be conducted in accordance with the
ordinary rules governing civil trials, except as specified by statute. (Fam. Code,
§ 210.)14
Respondent relies upon this court’s decision in In re Marriage of Brown &
Yana (2006) 37 Cal.4th 947 (Brown & Yana) for the proposition that courts have
discretion not to hold a full evidentiary hearing in contested family law matters.
Respondent’s reliance is misplaced, as we shall explain.
When parties have been unable (privately or through mediation) to agree on
custody, “the court shall set the matter for hearing on the unresolved issues.”
(Fam. Code, § 3185, subd. (a).) It is undisputed that such a hearing is an ordinary
adversarial proceeding leading to a “final judicial custody determination.” (Brown
& Yana, supra, 37 Cal.4th at p. 959; see id. at pp. 955-956; Montenegro v. Diaz
(2001) 26 Cal.4th 249, 256; see also In re Marriage of Burgess (1996) 13 Cal.4th
25, 31-32.) But once a judgment has been entered in the custody matter, a post-
judgment motion or request for an order to show cause for a change in custody,
based upon an objection to the custodial parent’s plan to move away, requires an
evidentiary hearing only if necessary — that is, only if the moving party is able to
make a prima facie showing that the move will be detrimental to the child or has
identified “a material but contested factual issue that should be resolved through
The same statutory provision defeats respondent’s claim that English
tribunals historically resolved marital dissolution actions in courts of equity, in
which declarations assertedly served as the primary basis for factfinding.
the taking of oral testimony.” (Brown & Yana, supra, 37 Cal.4th at p. 962; see id.
at p. 959.)
Our decision in Brown & Yana, supra, 37 Cal.4th 947, did not suggest
litigants must make a prima facie showing of some kind in order to be entitled to
proceed to trial. Nothing we said undermines the requirement that at a contested
marital dissolution trial, prior to entry of judgment, the court must hold an
evidentiary hearing on the disputed issues, at which the usual rules of evidence
apply. Indeed, we explained that a trial court had authority to deny a full
evidentiary hearing in Brown & Yana in part because the custody issue already
had been fully litigated and the resulting judgment therefore was entitled to
substantial deference in the absence of a showing of a significant change of
circumstances. (Id. at pp. 955-956, 959-960; see Burchard v. Garay (1986) 42
Cal.3d 531, 535 [change of circumstances requirement is based upon res judicata
principles]; In re Marriage of Burgess, supra, 13 Cal.4th at p. 38.) Nor did we
discuss Code of Civil Procedure section 2009 or the hearsay rule in that case.15
Respondent also refers to Evidence Code section 765 as authority to admit
hearsay declarations as a means of presenting the testimony of witnesses under
direct examination. That statute provides in pertinent part: “The court shall
Respondent also cites County of Alameda v. Moore (1995) 33 Cal.App.4th
1422. In that case, the court determined that the informality of family law
proceedings had gone too far when disputed factual matters in a district attorney’s
child support hearing were determined upon the mere unsworn statements of
counsel. Although the court referred to local rules applicable to family law
motions and contested trials under which declarations could be admitted in
evidence (id. at p. 1427 & fn. 5), the court did not consider Evidence Code section
1200, Code of Civil Procedure section 2009, or Family Code section 210,
provisions the court, of course, lacked authority to disregard. County of Alameda
v. Moore, supra, 33 Cal.App.4th 1422, is disapproved to the extent it is
inconsistent with our opinion in the present case.
exercise reasonable control over the mode of interrogation of a witness so as to
make interrogation as rapid, as distinct, and as effective for the ascertainment of
the truth, as may be, and to protect the witness from undue harassment or
embarrassment.” (Evid. Code, § 765, subd. (a).)
This provision never has been interpreted as affording a basis for
disregarding the statutory rules of evidence or working a fundamental alteration in
the nature of a trial. Respondent’s argument would prove too much; under its
analysis, Code of Civil Procedure section 2009 would be unnecessary, because
Evidence Code section 765 (a recodification of former Code of Civil Procedure
section 2044, enacted in 1872) would confer authority to conduct any hearing or
trial on the basis of affidavit evidence.
Respondent contends Evidence Code section 765 should be interpreted to
afford trial courts the authority to require declarations in lieu of oral direct
examination of witnesses, because assertedly similar language in rule 611(a) of the
Federal Rules of Evidence (28 U.S.C.) has been interpreted to supply such
authority to the federal courts. (See In re Adair (9th Cir. 1992) 965 F.2d 777,
779.) Respondent does not claim, however, that federal procedure includes
provisions similar to Code of Civil Procedure section 2009, permitting affidavits
in certain types of proceedings not leading to judgment, nor does respondent
compare the rules of evidence and procedure we have discussed in the previous
section of this opinion with the rules applicable in federal district courts.
(Compare also Fed. Rules Evid., rule 807, 28 U.S.C. [granting courts authority to
admit reliable hearsay in the court’s discretion].)
Respondent claims that if we conclude that declarations should be excluded
as hearsay in contested marital dissolution trials, our decision will overturn settled
practice and cause serious disruption. It does not appear, however, that
respondent’s description of settled practice is accurate. As is evident from our
consultation of treatises and practice manuals, it is well settled that the ordinary
rules of evidence apply in marital dissolution trials.
“The same rules of evidence apply at trial in a marital action as in civil
actions generally. Thus, facts must be established by admissible evidence, and
objections must be properly stated and based on the Evidence Code or other
applicable statutes or court rules. . . . [¶] A litigant has a right to present
evidence at trial and, although the court can exclude otherwise admissible
evidence because it is unduly time-consuming, prejudicial, confusing, or
misleading, outright denial of the right to present evidence is error. [Citations.]
The court’s discretion to exclude oral testimony entirely . . . does not apply to
trials.” (Samuels & Mandabach, Practice Under the California Family Code,
supra, § 16.5, pp. 745-746.) The same source recognizes that some courts
nonetheless attempt to place special restrictions upon the introduction of evidence,
noting that “[t]raditionally, trial judges have often regarded trials in marital actions
as somehow less important than other civil litigation. This attitude has been both
recognized and strongly criticized by appellate courts. [Citations.]” (Id., § 16.10,
p. 748; see also 11 Witkin, Summary of Cal. Law, supra, Husband and Wife, § 99,
pp. 152, 154 [provisions governing civil trials apply unless otherwise specified by
statute or Judicial Council rule, including the rules of evidence].) Another practice
manual explains: “At a contested trial, affidavits are not competent evidence;
though made under oath, they are hearsay . . . .” (Hogoboom & King, Cal.
Practice Guide: Family Law, supra, ¶ 13:106, p. 13-30; see also id., ¶ 13:81, p. 13-
22.1.)
Commenting upon Justice Traynor’s concurring opinion in Fewel, supra,
23 Cal.2d 431, and this court’s decision in Lacrabere, supra, 141 Cal. 554,
respondent asserts we have limited the admissibility of declarations only when
there is no opportunity for cross-examination. Although our decisions indeed have
noted the absence of an opportunity for cross-examination, more broadly they
have interpreted Code of Civil Procedure section 2009 as applying solely to
hearings on motions, and not to a trial of issues leading to a judgment. (See
Lacrabere, supra, 141 Cal. at pp. 556-567; see also Fewel, supra, 23 Cal.2d at pp.
438-439 (conc. opn. of Traynor, J.).) Respondent also claims the opportunity for
cross-examination satisfies the policy underlying the hearsay rule. As we have
explained, however, in addition to allowing a party to cross-examine adverse
witnesses, the hearsay rule assures that the witness will appear in the presence of
the trier of fact on direct examination, thereby further aiding it in evaluating the
witness’s demeanor and determining his or her credibility.
Marilyn contends that the distinction between hearings on motions (at
which Reifler, supra, 39 Cal.App.3d 479 permits the introduction of hearsay
evidence) and trials is illusory in the context of marital dissolution proceedings
and should not be the basis for our decision in the present case. As she asserts, in
many instances the family court retains jurisdiction over marital dissolution
matters for an extended period, responding to repeated motions for interim rulings
and for modification of orders. Yet we have drawn a distinction between hearings
at which a judgment is entered, and hearings on postjudgment motions. A
postjudgment motion for modification of a final child custody order, for example,
requires the moving party to demonstrate a significant change of circumstances
warranting departure from the judgment. (Montenegro v. Diaz, supra, 26 Cal.4th
at p. 256.) A presumption exists that the judgment is correct and should not be
disturbed — a presumption that would not be well founded were the judgment to
be based upon hearsay (unless admitted into evidence upon stipulation of the
parties). Marilyn fails to support her claim that, for the purpose of the hearsay
rule, there is and should be no procedural or substantive distinction between
motions and trials in the context of marital dissolution proceedings.
Marilyn claims petitioner forfeited any claim challenging respondent’s rule
barring oral examination of witnesses on direct examination, because he did not
object on that basis. We do not agree that petitioner forfeited his claim. It should
have been evident to the trial court that petitioner’s inability to proceed stemmed
both from the local rule precluding direct testimony and the order governing the
In any event, even if petitioner failed to preserve his claim with respect to
the prohibition on oral examination of witnesses, he certainly objected to the
exclusion of nearly all of his evidence for noncompliance with the court’s trial
scheduling order. The trial court abused its discretion in sanctioning petitioner by
excluding the bulk of his evidence simply because he failed, prior to trial, to file a
declaration establishing the admissibility of his trial evidence. The sanction was
disproportionate and inconsistent with the policy favoring determination of cases
Although authorized to impose sanctions for violation of local rules (Code
Civ. Proc., § 575.2, subd. (a)), courts ordinarily should avoid treating a curable
violation of local procedural rules as the basis for crippling a litigant’s ability to
present his or her case. As the court declared in Kalivas, supra, 49 Cal.App.4th
1152, in the absence of a demonstrated history of litigation abuse “[a]n order
based upon a curable procedural defect [including failure to file a statement
required by local rule], which effectively results in a judgment against a party, is
an abuse of discretion.” (Id. at p. 1161.)
This court made a similar point in Mann v. Cracchiolo (1985) 38 Cal.3d 18,
in which an attorney failed to file opposition to a motion for summary judgment
within the time prescribed by local rules. We concluded that the trial court abused
its discretion in refusing to consider the tardy opposition. (Id. at p. 30.) “ ‘Judges
. . . generally prefer to avoid acting as automatons and routinely reject requests by
counsel to function solely in a ministerial capacity. Rigid rule following is not
always consistent with a court’s function to see that justice is done. Cognizant of
the strong policy favoring the disposition of cases on their merits [citations],
judges usually consider whether to exercise their discretion in applying local court
rules and frequently consider documents which have been untimely filed.’ ” (Id.
at pp. 28-29, italics added.)16
Even under the fast track statute, a demanding efficiency scheme that does
not apply in family law matters (Gov. Code, §§ 68608, subd. (a), 68609, subd.
(b)), the preference for trying cases on the merits prevails. For example, in
Hernandez v. Superior Court (2004) 115 Cal.App.4th 1242, the reviewing court
held that the trial court abused its discretion in refusing, in reliance upon a local
fast track rule, to reopen discovery. “Strict adherence to these delay reduction
standards has dramatically reduced trial court backlogs and increased the
likelihood that matters will be disposed of efficiently, to the benefit of every
litigant. [Citation.] Here, the trial court’s orders promote judicial efficiency by
maintaining strict time deadlines. [¶] But efficiency is not an end in itself. Delay
reduction and calendar management are required for a purpose: to promote the just
resolution of cases on their merits. [Citations.] Accordingly, decisions about
Terminating sanctions such as an order granting summary judgment based
upon procedural error “ ‘have been held to be an abuse of discretion unless the
party’s violation of the procedural rule was willful [citations] or, if not willful, at
least preceded by a history of abuse of pretrial procedures, or a showing [that] less
severe sanctions would not produce compliance with the procedural rule.
[Citations.]’ ” (Parkview Villas Assn., Inc. v. State Farm Fire & Casualty Co.
(2005) 133 Cal.App.4th 1197, 1215; Security Pacific Nat. Bank v. Bradley (1992)
4 Cal.App.4th 89, 97-98 [“Sanctions which have the effect of granting judgment to
the other party on purely procedural grounds are disfavored. [Citations.]”].)
whether to grant a continuance or extend discovery ‘must be made in an
atmosphere of substantial justice. When the two policies collide head-on, the
strong public policy favoring disposition on the merits outweighs the competing
policy favoring judicial efficiency.’ ” (Id. at p. 1246.) The fast track rules were
not intended to override the strong public policy in favor of deciding cases on the
merits when possible (Garcia, supra, 16 Cal.4th at p. 479), and we see no basis for
disregarding the same strong public policy in marital dissolution actions.17
In the present case, the trial court applied the sanction provision of its local
rules in a mechanical fashion without considering alternative measures or a lesser
sanction, resulting in the exclusion of all but two of petitioner’s 36 exhibits. Had
the court permitted petitioner to testify, he could have provided some foundation
for his exhibits. In applying the local rule and order mechanically to exclude
nearly all of petitioner’s evidence — and proceeding, in the words of the trial
court, “quasi by default” — the trial court improperly impaired petitioner’s ability
to present his case, thereby prejudicing him and requiring reversal of the
judgment.18
To demonstrate the harshness of respondent’s application of its rule and
order, we recall that under the fast track statutes, the burden of sanctions may not
be imposed upon the client if it was the attorney who was responsible for violating
the fast track rules. (Gov. Code, § 68608, subd. (b); Garcia, supra, 16 Cal.4th at
pp. 481-482.) Under the fast track scheme, had Jeffrey been represented and had
his counsel been responsible for making the mistakes attributed to Jeffrey, the trial
court would not have been authorized to impose what amounted to issue sanctions
affecting the merits of Jeffrey’s case.
Respondent claims its efforts to assist petitioner were rejected, pointing to
its offer to allow him to reconsider his position at a break in the court proceedings.
But the court never announced a break, and the record supports our view that at
best the court merely offered petitioner an opportunity to demonstrate that his
declaration actually complied with the rule and order by providing a foundation in
that document for the admission of his exhibits.
Respondent claims “[f]irst and foremost” that efficiency and the
“expeditious resolution of family law cases” support its rule and order. It also
seeks to justify these requirements on the theory that they serve to reduce rancor
and “adversarial confrontation between estranged spouses,” and to assist the many
self-represented litigants in the family law courts by “giving them direction as to
how to prepare for trial, how to frame issues properly, and how to provide
evidentiary support for their positions and . . . avoid being ‘blindsided’ by the
adverse party.”
That a procedure is efficient and moves cases through the system is
admirable, but even more important is for the courts to provide fair and accessible
justice. In the absence of a legislative decision to create a system by which a
judgment may be rendered in a contested marital dissolution case without a trial
conducted pursuant to the usual rules of evidence, we do not view respondent’s
curtailment of the rights of family law litigants as justified by the goal of
efficiency. What was observed three decades ago remains true today: “While the
speedy disposition of cases is desirable, speed is not always compatible with
justice. Actually, in its use of courtroom time the present judicial process seems to
have its priorities confused. Domestic relations litigation, one of the most
important and sensitive tasks a judge faces, too often is given the low-man-on-the-
totem-pole treatment.” (In re Marriage of Brantner (1977) 67 Cal.App.3d 416,
Moreover, the amicus curiae briefs we have received strongly dispute
respondent’s assertion that its rule and order promote efficiency, reduce rancor or
costs, promote settlement, or aid unrepresented litigants. In their brief, the
Northern and Southern California Chapters of the American Academy of
Matrimonial Lawyers (Academy) argue that the local rule and order only increase
the burden on the trial courts and further strain limited judicial resources, because
it is more time consuming for the court to examine lengthy declarations than it is
to listen to testimony, leaving courts “with two options: (1) spend more time than
they have available at court to read the lengthy materials, or (2) just give the
written materials a cursory review, and rule by ‘guesstimate.’ This is not a choice
favored by litigants, lawyers, or judicial officers.”
The same brief characterizes as an “absurdity” respondent’s claim that the
rule and order help self-represented litigants by describing in detail how they must
prepare for trial. On the contrary, the brief claims, “[t]he burdens created by the
local court rule and [order] are so onerous that they overwhelm most attorneys, let
alone self-represented litigants.” According to the Academy’s brief, the rule and
order restrict access to justice by increasing the cost of litigation. The brief points
to the added costs of preparing exhaustive declarations of all potential witnesses,
including an evidentiary foundation for all proposed exhibits, and taking the
deposition of nonparty witnesses in the event they refuse to prepare a declaration.
The Family Law Section of the Contra Costa County Bar Association
commissioned a professional survey of family law practitioners in the county, and
the great majority of those surveyed were decidedly critical of the rule and order,
including the successor to the order at issue in the present case, believing the order
did not increase judicial efficiency and, along with their clients, questioning
whether courts have the time to read the voluminous binders of declarations and
exhibits required by the rule. A substantial majority of family law attorneys in the
county also reported finding the rule and order inordinately time consuming,
difficult, and costly to comply with.19
The Association of Certified Family Law Specialists (ACFLS) filed a brief
generally supporting petitioner’s contentions. The ACFLS’s brief also pointed to
Respondent suggests its rule and order encourage settlement by “apprising
both sides, well in advance of trial, of the facts that will be presented.” Local
attorneys reported, however, that unfortunately the rule and order have not aided
settlement, because parties take extreme positions in their declarations, causing an
increase in animosity and a diminished likelihood of settlement. The various
amici curiae, including local practitioners, confidently claim that any increase in
settlements achieved by the rule and order occur because litigants generally cannot
afford the substantial added litigation costs created by compliance with the rules.
We are most disturbed by the possible effect the rule and order have had in
diminishing litigants’ respect for and trust in the legal system. The Contra Costa
survey confirmed that litigants believed the rule and order deprived them of the
essential opportunity to “tell their story” and “have their day in court,” and felt the
rule and order caused the lawyers who drafted the declarations to be the persons
testifying, not themselves. “Members uniformly report that their clients are
stunned to be told that they will not get to tell their story to the judge,” and express
“shock, anxiety and outrage” along with the belief that “they had been denied their
specific difficulties caused by respondent’s order and rule. “With [respondent’s]
imposition of a discovery cut-off before any judicially supervised settlement, a
litigant is forced to either forego potentially necessary depositions or [incur]
unnecessary expense. This creates a larger schism in the ever-widening two-tiered
justice system — that for litigants who can afford to opt out of the public court
system and retain private judges who do not impose unreasonable and arbitrary
deadlines and that for those who cannot afford to do so.” Further, the ACFLS
complains that respondent’s deadlines are very difficult to meet. For example, a
party’s notice of intent to call the opposing party as a witness, along with a
description of “the testimony the party expects to elicit,” is due the same day the
initial declarations are due. (Super. Ct. Contra Costa County, Local Rules, rule
12.8 F.1.a) & b), eff. Jan. 1, 2007; ibid., eff. July 1, 2006.)
right to have their case heard by a judicial officer.” Overwhelmingly, practitioners
criticized the rule and order for creating what their clients understood to be a lesser
standard of justice for family law litigants.
A recent statewide survey reflects a similar concern with court procedures
that do not permit family law litigants to tell their story, a circumstance reported
by litigants to diminish their confidence in the courts. (Judicial Council of Cal.,
Admin. Off. of Courts, Rep. on Trust and Confidence in the California Courts
(2006) Phase II, pp. 31-36 [self-represented litigants “express[ed] frustration that
they did not have a chance to fully explain their side of the story to the judge”;
“public trust and confidence in the courts . . . will continue to be negatively
affected [by] procedures [that] do not permit [litigants] to tell their story at some
length and in their own words”].)
We are aware that superior courts face a heavy volume of marital
dissolution matters, and the case load is made all the more difficult because a
substantial majority of cases are litigated by parties who are not represented by
counsel. (See Judicial Council of Cal., Rep on Statewide Action Plan for Serving
Self-Represented Litigants (2004) Executive Summary, p. 2 [80% of the cases
have at least one unrepresented party by the time of disposition].) In its 2006
report, the Judicial Council estimated that “although family and juvenile cases
represent 7.5 percent of total filings, they account for nearly one-third of the trial
courts’ judicial workload . . . .” (Judicial Council of Cal., Ann. Rep. (2006), p. 26,
In light of the volume of cases faced by trial courts, we understand their
efforts to streamline family law procedures. But family law litigants should not be
subjected to second-class status or deprived of access to justice. Litigants with
other civil claims are entitled to resolve their disputes in the usual adversary trial
proceeding governed by the rules of evidence established by statute. It is at least
as important that courts employ fair proceedings when the stakes involve a
judgment providing for custody in the best interest of a child and governing a
parent’s future involvement in his or her child’s life, dividing all of a family’s
assets, or determining levels of spousal and child support. The same judicial
resources and safeguards should be committed to a family law trial as are
committed to other civil proceedings.
Trial courts certainly require resources adequate to enable them to perform
their function. If sufficient resources are lacking in the superior court or have not
been allocated to the family courts, courts should not obscure the source of their
difficulties by adopting procedures that exalt efficiency over fairness, but instead
should devote their efforts to allocating or securing the necessary resources. (See
Cal. Stds. Jud. Admin, § 5.30(c).) As stated in the advisory committee comment
to the California Standards for Judicial Administration: “It is only through the
constant exertion of pressure to maintain resources and the continuous education
of court-related personnel and administrators that the historic trend to give less
priority and provide fewer resources to the family court can be changed.” (Advis.
Com. com., Cal. Stds. Jud. Admin, foll. § 5.30(c).)
Courts must earn the public trust. (See Cal. Stds. Jud. Admin., § 10.17,
subd.(b)(5)(A) & (B).) We fear that respondent’s rule and order had the opposite
effect despite the court’s best intentions.20
We recommend to the Judicial Council that it establish a task force,
including representatives of the family law bench and bar and the Judicial Council
Advisory Committee on Families and the Courts, to study and propose measures
to assist trial courts in achieving efficiency and fairness in marital dissolution
proceedings and to ensure access to justice for litigants, many of whom are self-
represented. Such a task force might wish to consider proposals for adoption of
new rules of court establishing statewide rules of practice and procedure for fair
and expeditious proceedings in family law, from the initiation of an action to
The judgment rendered by the Court of Appeal summarily denying the
petition for writ of mandate or prohibition is reversed, and the matter is remanded
to that court with directions to issue a writ in terms consistent with this opinion.
postjudgment motions. Special care might be taken to accommodate self-
represented litigants. Proposed rules could be written in a manner easy for
laypersons to follow, be economical to comply with, and ensure that a litigant be
afforded a satisfactory opportunity to present his or her case to the court.
I agree that the superior court’s local rule and trial scheduling order were
inconsistent with statutory provisions of the Evidence Code and Code of Civil
Procedure, particularly the hearsay rule of Evidence Code section 1200. (Maj.
opn., ante, at pp. 15-28.) I also agree the trial court abused its discretion in
excluding petitioner’s exhibits; because the rule and order were inconsistent with
state law, enforcing these invalid measures to exclude virtually all of a party’s
evidence was necessarily an abuse of discretion. But given the existence of the
local rule and order at the time of trial, I would not conclude that the trial judge
acted arbitrarily or unduly “mechanically” in excluding petitioner’s evidence.
(See maj. opn., ante, at p. 31.) The trial court excused one breach of the order
(petitioner’s late submission of his exhibits) and explained to petitioner the other
(failure of petitioner’s declaration to establish the foundation for his exhibits).
The court then offered petitioner an opportunity to cure the violation, an
opportunity petitioner, for whatever reason, did not pursue. Despite petitioner’s
sudden offer to give up his interest in the family home, moreover, the court
ordered his interest preserved. In my view, the trial court’s rule and order, rather
than the particular actions of the court in this case, are to blame for the exclusion
of petitioner’s evidence.
Finally, while I join the majority in recommending that the Judicial Council
study ways for trial courts to balance efficiency and fairness in dissolution
proceedings (maj. opn., ante, at p. 36, fn. 20), I find it unnecessary to join the
majority’s policy critique of the Contra Costa County rule and order (id. at pp. 32-
36). The court properly holds the local rule and order invalid because they
conflict with state statutes, not because they are poor policy. The criticisms
voiced by family law practitioners, although important, would be better considered
by the Judicial Council or the Legislature than by this court. As we have sound
statutory grounds for holding the local rule and order invalid, I would leave the
weighing of competing policy, at least in the first instance, to other institutions.
Name of Opinion Elkins v. Superior Court
Judge: Barry Baskin
Garrett C. Daily for Petitioner
Law Offices of Marjorie G. Fuller, Marjorie G. Fuller and Shara Beral Witkin for Southern California
Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Northern California Chapter of the American
Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Los Angeles County Bar Association, Los Angeles County Bar
Association Family Law Section, Orange County Bar Association, Honorable Donald B. King, Honorable
Sheila Prell Sonenshine, Honorable J.E.T. Rutter and Honorable Richard Denner as Amici Curiae on behalf
Horvitz & Levy, David S. Ettinger; Eisenberg and Hancock and Jon B. Eisenberg for Respondent.
Fancher & Wickland, Paige Leslie Wickland; Harkins & Sargent and Daniel S. Harkins for Real Party in
Fox and Bank, Ronald S. Granberg, Dawn Gray, Linda Seinturier, Kathryn Fox, Brigeda D. Bank; and
Stephen Temko for Association of Certified Family Law Specialists as Amicus Curiae upon the request of
Lee C. Pearce for the Family Law Section of the Contra Costa County Bar Association as Amicus Curiae
upon the request of the Supreme Court.
Garrett C. Daily
Paige Leslie Wickland
(415) 398-4210
Mon, 08/06/2007 S139073
1 Elkins, Jeffrey (Petitioner)
2 Superior Court Of Contra Costa County (Respondent)
Attn: Hon. Thomas M. Maddock, Presiding Judge
751 Pine Street, P. O. Box 911
Martinez, CA 94583
3 Superior Court Of Contra Costa County (Respondent)
4 Elkins, Marilyn (Real Party in Interest)
Represented by Daniel Severin Harkins
3160 Crow Canyon Place, Suite 205
5 Maddock, Thomas M. (Respondent)
6 American Academy Of Matrimonial Lawyers (Amicus curiae)
110 E. Wilshire Avenue, Suite 501
7 Contra Costa County Bar Association (Amicus curiae)
Attention: Lisa G. Reep, Executive Director
Represented by Mark Stephen Ericsson
President, Contra Costa County Bar Association
8 Association Of Certified Family Law Specialists (Amicus curiae)
Attention: Lynn Pfeifer, Administrator
15 Corrillo Drive
1620 Fifth Avenue, Suite 800
9 Association Of Certified Family Law Specialists (Amicus curiae)
Represented by Ronald Scott Granberg
President, ACFLS
10 Family Law Section Of Contra Costa Bar Association (Amicus curiae)
Represented by Lee C. Pearce
1333 N. California Boulevard, Suite 525
11 Association Of Certified Family Law Specialists (Amicus curiae)
Represented by Harold Vincent Jacobs
Hiroshima Jacobs & Roth
1420 River Pk Dr 2nd Fl
Aug 6 2007 Opinion: Reversed
Nov 23 2005 Petition for review filed
by counsel for petitioner (Jeffrey Elkins)
Nov 23 2005 Record requested
Dec 5 2005 Received Court of Appeal record
Dec 16 2005 Opposition requested
from Daniel Severin Harkins, counsel for RPI Marilyn Elkins. Opposition to be served upon counsel for petitioner by mail and facsimile (510) 465-7348, and filed in this court by 3:00 p.m., Friday, December 23, 2005. Filing may be made by facsimile to the S.F. Clerk's Office (415) 865-7183, with the original and hard copies to follow. Counsel notified by telephone; letter to follow by facsimile, with hard copies to follow.
Dec 23 2005 Opposition filed
Marilyn Elkins, real party in interest. Daniel S. Harkins of Harkins & Sargent, retained counsel.
Dec 23 2005 Association of attorneys filed for:
Paige Leslie Wickland of Fancher & Wickland as co-counsel for RPI.
Dec 29 2005 Reply to informal response filed
Jan 12 2006 Time extended to grant or deny review
To and including February 21, 2006, or the date upon which review is either granted or denied.
The petition for review is GRANTED. The Contra Costa County Superior Court is ordered to show cause in this court why Contra Costa County Local Rule 12.5(b)(3) and the trial scheduling order in the present case should not be declared invalid for the reasons stated in the petition for extraordinary relief. The return is to be filed on or before March 3, 2006. Chin, J., was absent and did not participate. Votes: George, C.J., Kennard, Baxter, Moreno, and Corrigan, JJ.
Feb 3 2006 Letter sent to:
The Honorable Thomas M. Maddock, Presiding Judge, Contra Costa Superior Court, enclosing a certified copy of the grant order and order to show cause in this court why Contra Costa Suprior Court Local Rule 12.5(b)(3) and the trial scheduling order in the present case should not be declared invalid for the reasons stated in the petition for extraordinary relief in the above-referenced case. Respondent Superior Court s return is to be filed on or before March 3, 2006. Attention is directed to CRC rule 56(h) for briefing requirements. Form enclosed for certification of interested entities or persons.
Garrett C. Dailey enclosing certified copy of the grant order/order to show cause, as well as the certification of interested entitities and persons form. Attention directed to CRC 56(h) for briefing requirements should he file a reply on behalf of petitioner.
Daniel Harkins, enclosing a certified copy of the grant order/order to show cause, and the certification of interested entities and persons form. Counsel may elect to file a return separately or may file a return jointly with respondent Superior Court. Attention is directed to CRC 56(h) for briefing requirements.
Daniel Severin Harkins, Harkins & Sargent, counsel for real party
Feb 16 2006 Certification of interested entities or persons filed
Respondent, Contra Costra County Superior Court
Garrett c. Dailey, counsel for petitioner
Feb 27 2006 Request for extension of time filed
to April 3, 2006 to file Respondent Contra Costa County Superior Court's Return
to April 3, 2006, to file RPI Marilyn Elkins' Return.
On application of Responent Contra Costa County Superior Court and good cause appearing, it is ordered that the time to serve and file Respondent's Return is extended to and including April 3, 2006.
On application of Real Party in Interest Marilyn Elkins and good cause appearing, it is ordered that the time to serve and file RPI's Return is extended to and including April 3, 2006.
Letter dated 3-16-2006 from Page Leslie Wickland, counsel for RPI Marilyn Elkins, re unavailability of counsel from April 12 thru April 24, 2006.
Mar 30 2006 Written return filed
Respondent Superior Court of Contra Costa County
Mar 30 2006 Filed:
Respondent's Appendix of Cited Authorities
for a 30-day extension to file his Reply to the Return of the Respondent and the RPI.
Apr 3 2006 Written return filed
Marilyn Elkins, real party in interest by Paige Leslie Wickland and Daniel S. Harkins, retained counsel
Real Party Marilyn Elkins' Appendix
On application of Petitioner Jeffrey Elkins and good cause appearing, it is ordered that the time to serve and file his Reply to the Returns of Respondent and and Real Party in Interest is extended to and including May 18, 2006.
Apr 14 2006 Received application to file Amicus Curiae Brief
Letter from Marjorie G. Fuller dated 4-12-2006, requesting the opportunity to file an amicus curiae brief on behalf of the Southern California Chapter and Northern California Chapters of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, along with the Family Law Section of the State Bar of California, and the Honorable Sheila Press Soneshine, Jusrtice of the Court of Appeal, Retired, and the Honorable Donald King, Justice of the Court of Appeal, Retired, in support of petitioner, Jeffrey Elkins. NOTE: Telephone call placed to Aty Fuller's Office with a message to comply with California Rules of Court, rule 29.1(f)
In the above entitled matter, the court requests the Family Law Section of the Contra Costa County Bar Association and the Association of Certified Family Law Specialists to file amicus curiae briefs addressing the issues presented by the case. The briefs should be filed as set forth in rule 29.1(f) of the California Rules of Court.
Apr 20 2006 Note:
Mailed copies of orders (including the grant order), petition, and answer (letter) to: (1) Mark Stephen Ericsson, President, Contra Costa County Bar Association, 704 Main Street Martinez, CA 94553 (2) Ronald Granberg, President, Association of Certified Family Law Specialists, 15 Corrillo Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903
May 1 2006 Exhibit(s) lodged
by counsel for RPI Marilyn Elkins: Original transcript of August 16, 2005 hearing, a copy of which she included in her Appendix as Exhibit F.
May 12 2006 Reply to return filed
Petitioner's [Jeffrey Elkins] Reply to Respondent's Return
May 17 2006 Reply to return filed
by Petitioner , Jeffrey Elkins, (to return of Real Party in Interest). by counsel, Garrett C. Dailey. [ case fully briefed ]
May 17 2006 Filed:
Petitioner's ( Jeffrey Elkins) addendum to Petitioners reply to respondent's return.
"Notice of Unavailability of Counsel" from Garrett C. Dailey, counsel for petitioner (Jeffrey Elkins) Dates: June 12 thru July 11, 2006; August 17 thru August 22, 2006, and December 4 thru December 8, 2006.
"Notice of Unavailability of counsel" from Daniel S. Harkins, counsel for RPI Marilyn Elkins
to July 17, 2006, to file The Family Law Section of the Contra Costa County Bar Association's amicus curiae brief. [ Note: Application and ACBrief received 7-13-2006 ]
Jun 12 2006 Extension of time granted
On application of the Amicus Committee of the Family Law Section of the Contra Costa County Bar Association and good cause appearing, it is ordered that the time to serve and file the amicus curiae brief is extended to and including July 17, 2006.
Jun 13 2006 Request for extension of time filed
to July 17, 2006, to file the Amicus Curiae Brief of Certified Family Law Specialists
Jun 15 2006 Received application to file Amicus Curiae Brief
and brief of Sothern California Cjapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Northern California Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and Los Angeles County Bar Assoc., Hon. Donald King,Justice of the Ciourt of Appear(ret.)Hone. Sheila Prell Sonenshine, Justice of the Court of Appeal 9ret.), Hon. J.E.T. Rutter, Judge of the Superior Court (Ret.), Hon. Richard Denner, Judge of the Superior Corut (Ret.)
Jun 15 2006 Extension of time granted
On application of Certified Family Law Specialists and good cause appearing, it is ordered that the time to serve and file the amicus curiae brief is extended to and including July 17, 2006. [ Application and Amicus Brief received 7-18-2006 (CRC 40.1(b) ]
Jun 22 2006 Permission to file amicus curiae brief granted
The application of Southern California Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, et al., for permission to file an amici curiae brief in support of Petitioner Jeffrey Elkins is granted. An answer thereto may be served and filed by any party within twenty days of the filing of the brief.
Jun 22 2006 Amicus curiae brief filed
Southern California Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Northern California Chapter of the American Academy of Matirmonial Lawyers, and Los Angeles County Bar Association, Los Angeles County Bar Association Family Law Section, Orange County Bar Association, Hon. Donald B. King, Justice of the Court of Appeal (Ret.), Hon. Sheila Prell Sonenshine, Justice of the Cour ot Appeal (Ret.), Hon. J.E.T Rutter, Judge of the Superior Court (Ret.), Hon. Richard Denner, Judge of the Superior Court (Ret.), in support of Petitioner Jeffrey Elkins.
to and including 8-7-2006 to file Respondent's (Superior Court) Answer to the Amicus Curiae Brief of Southern California Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, et al.
Jun 29 2006 Request for extension of time filed
tp 8-7-2006 to file RPI's (Marilyn Elkins) Answer to Brief of Amici Curiae Southern California Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, et al.
On application of Respondent Contra Costa County Superior Court and good cause appearing, it is ordered that the time to serve and file the Respondent's Answer to the Amici Curiae Brief of Southern California Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, et al. is extended to and including August 7, 2006.
Jul 6 2006 Extension of time granted
On application of Real Party in Interest Marilyn Elkins and good cause appearing, it is ordered that the time to serve and file Real Party's Answer to the Amici Curiae Brief of Southern California Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, et al., is extended to and including August 7, 2006. [ RPI's Answer filed 8-2-2006 ]
Jul 13 2006 Received application to file Amicus Curiae Brief
and Amicus Curiae Brief of the Family Law Section of the Contra Costa County Bar Association (Exhibits Lodged separately)
Jul 18 2006 Received application to file Amicus Curiae Brief
and Amicus Curiae Brief of the Association of Certified Family Law Specialists.
Jul 19 2006 Permission to file amicus curiae brief granted
The application of the Association of Family Law Specialists for permission to file an amicus curiae brief in support of petitioner is hereby granted. An answer thereto may be served and filed by any party within twenty days of the filing of the brief.
Jul 19 2006 Amicus curiae brief filed
Association of Family Law Specialists in support of petitioner.
The application of the Family Law Section of the Contra Costa County Bar Association for permission to file an oversized amicus curiae brief with exhibits in excess of ten pages is hereby granted. An answer thereto may be served and filed by any party within twenty days of the filing of the brief.
Family Law Section of the Contra Costa County Bar Association.
Aug 2 2006 Response to amicus curiae brief filed
Real Party in Interest's [Marilyn Elkins] Answer to Amicus Curiae Briefs of the Southern California Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, et al., The Family Law Section of the Contra Costa County Bar Association and The Association of Certified Family Law Specialists.
Aug 7 2006 Association of attorneys filed for:
Jon B. Eisenberg of Eisenberg and Hancock LLP [Respondent Superior Court of Contra Costa County]
Aug 7 2006 Response to amicus curiae brief filed
Respondent's Answer to Amicus Curiae Briefs by (1) the Southern and Northern California Chapters of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and several local bar associations and retired judges, (2) the Association of Certified Family Law specialists, and (3) the Family Law Section of the Contra Costa County Bar Association.
Aug 22 2006 Received:
Notice of unavailability of counsel from Page Leslie Wickland and Fancher & Wickland for the dates of: September 15, 2006 through October 3, 2006 and December 22, 2006 through January 2, 2007.
Sep 20 2006 Received:
Notice of Unavailability of Counsel by Lee C. Pearce, counsel for Amicus Curiae Family Law Section of the Contra Costa Bar Association, from Oct. 12 through Oct 20, 2006.
Nov 29 2006 Received:
Attorney Daley's Notice of unavailability of counsel
Notice of unavailability of counsel from Paige Leslie Wickland, counsel for real parties, on the following dates: March 19, 2007 through March 30, 2007.
Apr 19 2007 Received:
Letter from Jon B. Eisenberg of Eisenberg and Hancock, LLP [ Respondent Superior Court ] unavailable for oral argument from June 5 through June 10, 2007.
Notice of Unavailability of Counsel from Daniel S. Harkins of Harkins & Sargent [RPI Marilyn Elkins] commencing June 29, 2007 through July 24, 2007 and Dec. 21, 2007 through Jan. 2, 2008.
Apr 25 2007 Supplemental briefing ordered
The parties are directed to file simultaneous letter briefs addressing the following question: Are the Contra Costa County Superior Court's prior local rule of court (see Super. Ct. Contra Costa County, Local Rules, rule 12.5, eff. July 1, 2005), the trial scheduling order in the present case, & the court's current local rule (Super. Ct. Contra Costa County, Local Rules, rule 12.8, eff. Jan. 1, 2007) consistent with the hearsay rule (Evid. Code, section 1200 et seq.; Fewel v. Fewel (1943) 23 Cal.2d 431, 438 (conc. opn. of Traynor, J.); Lacrabere v. Wise (1904) 141 Cal. 554, 556; Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency v. McGrath (2005) 128 Cal.App.4th 1093, 1107), to the extent they call for the introduction of declarations into evidence at trial in a marital dissolution action? Simultaneous letter briefs are to be served and filed no later than May 11, 2007 and responsive letter briefs may be served and filed no later than May 18, 2005.
May 11 2007 Letter brief filed
Contra Costa Co. Superior Ct., respondent Jon Eisenberg, counsel
Jeffrey Elkins, petitioner Garrett Dailey, counsel
Marilyn Elkins, Real Party in Interest by Paige Leslie Wickland, Counsel
May 15 2007 Order filed
Oral argument in this case will be divided as follows: 30 minutes for petitioner Jeffrey Elkins, followed by 15 minutes for respondent Superior Court of Contra Costa County, followed by 15 minutes for real party in interest Marilyn Elkins.
May 18 2007 Letter brief filed
Respondent Superior Court of Contra Costa County by Jon B. Eisenberg, Eisenberg and Hancock
RPI Marilyn Elkins' Responsive Letter Brief by Paige Leslie Wickland of Fancher & Wickland, Harkins & Sargent.
Petitioner Jeffrey Elkins' responsive brief to the Respondent Court's and Real Party's letter briefs. Garrett C. Dailey, retained counsel
Notice of Unavailability of Counsel by Garret C. Dailey, counsel for Jeffrey Elkins
Aug 6 2007 Opinion filed: Judgment reversed
Judgment of the Court of Appeal reversed, and the matter is remanded to that court with directions to issue a writ in terms consistent with this opinion. Opinion by George, C. J. -- joined by Kennard, Baxter, Chin, Moreno, Corrigan, JJ Concurring Opinion by Werdegar, J.
First Appellate District, Division 5, Acknowledgment of Receipt for Remittitur, signed for by Mary P. Quilez, Deputy
Sep 25 2007 Returned record
to the Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, Division One
Aug 27 2008 Received:
Received record back from 1 DCA (2 doghouses)
Harold Vincent Jacobs (Hiroshima Jacobs & Roth)
Ronald Scott Granberg (President, ACFLS)
Mark Stephen Ericsson (President, Contra Costa County Bar Association)
Daniel Severin Harkins (Harkins & Sargent)
Lee C. Pearce (Attorney at Law)
SCOCAL, Elkins v. Super. Ct. , S139073 available at: (https://scocal.stanford.edu/opinion/elkins-v-super-ct-33784) (last visited Saturday August 15, 2020).