CALIFORNIA FAMILY CODE
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE AND LEGAL SEPARATION
CASE MANAGEMENT
Family Code Section 2451
(a) A court-ordered family centered case resolution plan must be in conformance
with due process requirements and may include, but is not limited to,
all of the following:
(1) Early neutral case evaluation.
(2) Alternative dispute resolution consistent with the requirements of
subdivision (a) of Section 3181.
(3) Limitations on discovery, including temporary suspension pending exploration
of settlement. There is a rebuttable presumption that an attorney who
carries out discovery as provided in a family centered case resolution
plan has fulfilled his or her duty of care to the client as to the existence
of community property.
(4) Use of telephone conference calls to ascertain the status of the case,
encourage cooperation, and assist counsel in reaching agreement. However,
if the court is required to issue an order other than by stipulation,
a hearing shall be held.
(5) If stipulated by the parties, modification or waiver of the requirements
of procedural statutes.
(6) A requirement that any expert witness be selected by the parties jointly
or be appointed by the court. However, if at any time the court determines
that the issues for which experts are required cannot be settled under
these conditions, the court shall permit each party to employ his or her
own expert.
(7) Bifurcation of issues for trial.
(b) This section does not provide any additional authority to the court
to appoint experts beyond that permitted under other provisions of law.
(c) The Judicial Council shall, by January 1, 2012, adopt a statewide rule
of court to implement this section.
(d) The changes made to this section by the act adding this subdivision
shall become operative on January 1, 2012.