Temporary Judge Program
Temporary Judge Mandatory Training for the 2026 - 2029 Term
Pursuant to California Rules of Court, rules 2.812(c)(3) and 2.815(a), a Temporary Judge must successfully complete judicial ethics, bench conduct and demeanor, and substantive law training every three (3) years. For the 2026 – 2029 term, you may not serve as a Temporary Judge unless you first attend 3 hours of training in each of the following areas:
1. Judicial Ethics
2. Bench Conduct & Demeanor
3. Substantive Training – 3 hours in each substantive area in which the Temporary Judge will preside
These courses are only offered once every three years by the Orange County, California Superior Court.
TEMPORARY JUDGE TRAINING INFORMATION
Temporary Judge Program Information
Pursuant to Rule 2.818(b)(1)(a), an attorney may not serve as a court-appointed Temporary Judge: (1) If the attorney, in any type of case, is appearing on the same day in the same courthouse as an attorney or as a party; (2) If the attorney, in the same type of case, is presently a party to any action or proceeding in the court; or (3) If, in a family law or unlawful detainer case, one party is self-represented and the other party is represented by an attorney or is an attorney.
Orange County Temporary Judge policy exception
Temporary Judges and settlement officers in family law cases are exempt from rule 2.818(b)(3) of the California Rules of Court, and settlement officers who assist with settlement conferences, but who perform no judicial functions such as placing the settlement on the record, are exempt from rule 2.818(b)(1) and (b)(2).