Title 1 Global Provisions

Rules of the State Bar of California, Title 1 Div. 1, 2, 3

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Table of Contents, Rules of the State Bar

Division 1. What these rules are

Division 2. Public comment

Division 3. Reading and applying the rules

Division 1. What These Rules Are

Rule 1.1 Rules of the State Bar of California

These rules are entitled the Rules of the State Bar of California and have been adopted by the Board of Trustees of the State Bar of California, unless otherwise indicated.

Rule 1.1 adopted effective July 20, 2007; amended effective January 1, 2012.

Rule 1.2 Authority

The State Bar of California is established for governmental purposes under the authority of the Constitution of the State of California at article VI, section 9. The State Bar acts as the administrative arm of the California Supreme Court in all matters related to attorney admission and discipline in California. Subject to the laws of the state, the Board of Trustees of the State Bar of California may adopt rules and procedures to implement California statutes[1] and court rules and to govern the State Bar.

Rule 1.2 adopted effective July 20, 2007; amended effective January 1, 2012.

Rule 1.3 Scope

The rules of the State Bar of California concern

1. the rights and responsibilities of its licensees and prospective licensees;
2. its programs and services and the requirements for participating in or using them;
3. its governance; and
4. its relationships with other entities or individuals.

Rule 1.3 adopted effective July 20, 2007; amended effective January 25, 2019.

Rule 1.4 Exclusions

The rules of the State Bar do not include

1. Rules of the Supreme Court of California or California Rules of Court that apply to the State Bar, its licensees, services, or programs;
2. statutes or case law applicable to the State Bar, its licensees, services, or programs; or
3. policies and procedures that relate to the internal management or operations of the State Bar.

Rule 1.4 adopted effective July 20, 2007; amended effective January 25, 2019. 

Rule 1.5 Contents of the Rules of the State Bar of California

The Rules of the State Bar of California include:

1. Title 1. Global Provisions,
2. Title 2. Rights and Responsibilities of Licensees,
3. Title 3. Programs and Services,
4. Title 4. Admissions and Educational Standards,
5. Title 5. Discipline,
6. Title 6. Governance,
7. Title 7. Miscellaneous Provisions,
8. California Rules of Professional Conduct, and
9. Appendixes to the rules.

Rule 1.5 adopted effective July 20, 2007; amended effective March 2, 2012; amended January 25, 2019

Division 2. Public comment

Rule 1.10 Public comment

1. Proposals for the Rules of the State Bar of California are circulated for public comment before adoption, amendment, or repeal by the Board of Trustees. The State Bar also makes available for public comment its proposals for the California Rules of Court. Proposals are circulated for a forty-five day period, which can be shortened to a minimum of 30 days or extended to a maximum of 90 days, as designated by the board.
2. Public comment is not required
   1. to correct clerical errors; clarify grammar; improve organization; conform to specific changes in a law; update references or citations; or make similar editorial changes;
   2. to modify a proposal that has been circulated for public comment when the board deems the modification non-substantive or reasonably implicit in the proposal; or
   3. to add or modify an appendix to these rules.
3. The board may determine that an emergency requires it to adopt, amend, or suspend a rule on an interim basis without first circulating it for public comment. No interim measure may remain in effect for more than 120 days.
4. The adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule becomes effective as of the date specified by the board. If it specifies no date, the date of its action is the effective date.

Rule 1.10 adopted effective July 20, 2007; amended effective March 7, 2008; amended effective January 1, 2012.

Rule 1.11 Availability of public comments

Public comment provided to the board regarding a rule proposal is available upon request, subject to a reasonable charge for copies.

Rule 1.11 adopted effective July 20, 2007; amended effective November 18, 2016.

Division 3. Reading and applying the rules

Rule 1.20 Construction

The following constructions apply to all the rules unless a title or a rule indicates otherwise.

1. Each tense (past, present, or future) includes the others.
2. Each gender (masculine, feminine, or neuter) includes the others.
3. Each number (singular or plural) includes the other.
4. A rule that is invalid in part is not otherwise invalid.
5. A rule must be read as a whole. A word or phrase that can have more than one meaning should be interpreted in context.
6. Once a rule has defined a term, the definition is implicit in related rules that use the term.
7. If a rule refers to only one or more things of a particular class, it excludes all other members of the class.
8. A rule is not retrospective unless it specifically says it is.
9. A rule is automatically repealed when it sunsets unless it is extended by amendment.
10. Headings and notes are not parts of rules but may assist in the interpretation of rules.
11. If a rule cites the authority for the rule, the citation is part of the rule.
12. If a rule refers to the Schedule of Charges and Deadlines, the referenced date or amount is part of the rule.

Rule 1.20 adopted effective July 20, 2007.

Rule 1.21 Usage

As used in the rules:

1. "must" is mandatory;
2. "may" is permissive;
3. "may not" means not permitted to;
4. "will" expresses a future contingency or predicts action in the ordinary course of events, but does not signify a mandatory duty; and
5. "should" expresses a preference or a nonbinding recommendation.

Rule 1.21 adopted effective July 20, 2007.

Rule 1.22 Definitions

Unless otherwise indicated, the following definitions apply to these rules.

1. "Board of Trustees" or "board" is the body established by statute to govern the State Bar. Any reference in these rules to “Board of Governors” means “Board of Trustees.”
2. "Executive director" is the chief executive officer of the State Bar who is responsible for day-to-day operation of the State Bar.
3. "Licensees" are all persons admitted and licensed to practice law in California except justices and judges of courts of record during their continuance in office. 
4. "Secretary" is the secretary of the State Bar or his or her designee.
5. The "Schedule of Charges and Deadlines" is the current schedule reflecting the Board of Trustees' actions with respect to any amount that must be paid and the date for paying it or otherwise taking an action required to comply with a rule.
6. The "State Bar Act" is Chapter 4, Article 1 of the Business & Professions Code, commencing at § 6000.
7. "State Bar Web site" means the Web site established by the State Bar of California at http://calbar.ca.gov.

Rule 1.22 adopted effective July 20, 2007; amended effective January 1, 2012; amended effective January 25, 2019; amended effective July 18, 2024.

Rule 1.23 Dates

The date for performing an act required by these rules is computed by excluding the first day and including the last, unless the State Bar is closed the last day. The State Bar is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays.

Rule 1.23 adopted effective July 20, 2007.

Rule 1.24 Forms

When a rule refers to a form, the State Bar reserves the right to reject a form that is altered in language or structure or that is not completed and submitted according to instructions.

Rule 1.24 adopted effective July 20, 2007.

Rule 1.25 Citation

A title in these rules may be cited by its number or by its number and name. Unless otherwise specified, a rule of the State Bar of California should be cited as "State Bar of California Rule" or "State Bar Rule" and the numbers of the title and rule separated by a period. For instance, this rule may be cited as either "State Bar of California Rule 1.25" or as "State Bar Rule 1.25."

Rule 1.25 adopted effective July 20, 2007.