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Current Supreme Court Committees

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Advisory Committee on the Code of Judicial Ethics

The Supreme Court is responsible for promulgating the Code of Judicial Ethics pursuant to Article VI, section 18(m), of the California Constitution. The Supreme Court Advisory Committee on the Code of Judicial Ethics makes recommendations to the court regarding whether amendments to the Code are necessary or appropriate.

List of committee members

Invitation to Comment

The committee is currently seeking comment on a proposal to amend Canon 4C(3)(d)(iii) and Commentary of the Code of Judicial Ethics. Please note that comments received may become part of the public record. Please send your comments to invitations@jud.ca.gov. The deadline for comments is December 1, 2015.

SP15-09: Proposed Amendments to Canon 4C(3)(d)(iii) and Commentary of the Code of Judicial Ethics

Recent Committee Activity

California Code of Judicial Ethics: Revisions effective January 1, 2013 (showing markups)

Public Comment Sought On Proposed Changes to Code of Judicial Ethics (NR 17-11) (June 1, 2011)

Supreme Court Adopts Changes in Ethics Code for California Judges (Nov. 1, 2007)

Proposed Changes in Judicial Ethics Circulated for Public Comment (April 16, 2007)

Supreme Court Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions

About the Committee
The Supreme Court established the Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions (CJEO) to help inform the judiciary and the public about judicial ethics. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 9.80.) CJEO publishes formal advisory opinions, issues confidential written opinions, and provides oral advice on proper judicial conduct under the California Code of Judicial Ethics. In providing its advisory opinions, the committee acts independently of the Supreme Court, the Commission on Judicial Performance, the Judicial Council, and all other entities. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 9.80(b).)

Committee Members 
CJEO members are appointed by the Supreme Court as part of its constitutional responsibility to guide the conduct of judges and judicial candidates (Cal. Const., art. VI, § 18, subd. (m)). The court appoints members to CJEO with a strong background in judicial ethics and diverse courtroom experience. CJEO’s current members include judicial and subordinate judicial officers who have serving in courts of various sizes throughout the state and one retired judge.

Recent Committee Activity 
Public Comment Plays Unique Role in Judicial Ethics Opinions; Comment Sought on Draft Judicial Ethics Advisory Opinion  (May 20, 2016)
CJEO invites public comment on draft advisory opinions and considers all comments when deciding whether to publish, modify, or withdraw its draft formal opinions.  The committee is currently seeking public comment on a draft advisory opinion relating to judges meeting with vendors.  In the draft opinion, the committee discusses whether the California Code of Judicial Ethics permits a judge to meet with a private company providing services to the parties under court order, such as remote alcohol monitoring services.  The committee also examines whether judges may meet with private vendors to discuss services they provide to courts or to parties.  The draft opinion provides specific steps judges may take to avoid potential ethical concerns when meeting with vendors.

The deadline for submitting public comments on this draft advisory opinion is Friday, July 8, 2016.

Submit comments using this Online Comment Form, by emailing Judicial.Ethics@jud.ca.gov, or by mail to:

Ms. Nancy Black, Committee Counsel
The California Supreme Court
Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions
350 McAllister Street,
San Francisco, CA 94102

At the close of the comment period, CJEO will post on its website comments received with a statement waving confidentiality or consenting to public disclosure of the comment.

Contact the Committee

The California Supreme Court
Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions
Earl Warren Building
350 McAllister Street, Room 1144A
San Francisco, California  94102

For More Information
On the committee and its opinions, visit the CJEO website.


Past Supreme Court Committees

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Advisory Committee on Rules for Publication of Court of Appeals Opinions

The Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Rules for Publication of Court of Appeal Opinions is charged with reviewing the current standards used by the Courts of Appeal and the Supreme Court in determining which Court of Appeal opinions should be certified for publication and with making recommendations to the Supreme Court on what changes, if any, should be instituted to better ensure that appropriate cases are published. The 13-member committee is chaired by Supreme Court Justice Kathryn M. Werdegar.

Multijurisdictional Practice Implementation Committee

The Supreme Court Multijurisdictional Practice Implementation Committee was appointed to determine the specific rules and procedures necessary to implement recommendations for modifying the restrictions on the practice of law by attorneys who are not members of the State Bar of California. The committee submitted its report and recommendations to the Supreme Court, which has adopted the committee's proposed rules governing practice by non-California attorneys serving as in-house counsel, legal services attorneys, litigation attorneys in California in anticipation of litigation or in connection with litigation elsewhere, and non-litigation attorneys temporarily in California. The new rules took effect on November 15, 2004.

Implementation Committee for the Supreme Court Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions

After announcing in late 2007 that it would appoint a Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions, the Supreme Court appointed an Implementation Committee to make recommendations to the court on proposed procedures and rules for the new ethics committee. The Implementation Committee included the seven members of the Supreme Court Advisory Committee on the Code of Judicial Ethics, two members nominated by the Commission on Judicial Performance, and two members nominated by the California Judges Association. The chair of the committee was Justice Richard D. Fybel of the Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division Three.  The California Supreme Court then adopted Rule 9.80, effective July 1, 2009, governing the practices and procedures to be followed by its new Supreme Court Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions.

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