Unless the court orders a different period, rule 3.724 requires the parties to meet and confer no later than 30 calendar days before the initial CMC. The conference should address the case-management issues and seek a workable plan. Use a real discussion rather than treating a generic letter as the completed task, and record agreements and remaining disputes accurately.
Documents and facts to assemble
- The initial CMC date and discussion agenda
- A dated record of the conference, agreements, and unresolved issues
How this fits an injury lawsuit
A case management conference organizes the path toward resolution or trial. In an auto accident injury case, the useful discussion concerns service, the pleadings, disputed liability, medical discovery, depositions, expert needs, settlement opportunities, and realistic trial readiness. CM-110 is the mandatory statewide Case Management Statement. The court’s notice, applicable local rules, and assigned department’s instructions should be read together. Some courts use alternative procedures for particular case categories. A conference date stays on the calendar unless the court has actually vacated or continued it.
Practical checklist
- Read the actual CMC notice and any standing or case-specific order.
- Prepare an accurate CM-110, serve it, and preserve the filed copy and proof of service.
- Bring a workable discovery and ADR plan, trial availability, and an updated status of each defendant.
Deadline and local-rule check
Identify the event that starts the deadline, whether the rule uses calendar days or court days, the legally effective service method, and any written extension or court order. Read the applicable statute before adding time for service. Check the county’s current civil rules and the assigned department’s instructions for filing, delivery, reservation, and appearance requirements. A filing receipt or hearing reservation alone does not show that every required step has been completed.
Official forms and authorities
- Rule 3.724: initial CMC meet and confer
- Rule 3.725: CM-110 filing and service
- Rule 3.727: conference subjects
- Rule 3.720: application and local alternatives
This guide concerns auto accidents and similar personal injury actions in California state court. It does not supply a case-specific deadline calculation or a federal court procedure.
