Civil Division
Welcome to Fresno Superior Court Civil General Information page.
Our Mission
The Civil Department will serve our customers by providing accurate information and services in a timely, efficient manner, maintain a professional demeanor, treat our customers with respect and courtesy, commit to continual education to improve our performance, all of which will contribute to enhancing the public trust.
Civil Cases
Civil cases involve a lawsuit in which one party sues another to:
- Recover money or property.
- To enforce a contract.
- To collect damages for injury.
- To protect some civil right.
Limited Civil Cases
Limited Civil casesare those involving $35,000 or less except small claims cases.
Unlimited Civil Cases
Unlimited Civil casesare all other cases except family law or probate cases.
Interpreting Services
Fresno Superior Court provides interpreting services to all trial court proceedings in criminal, traffic, and juvenile delinquency proceedings. For more information, click here or the button below.
Attorneys for Civil Proceedings
In an effort to secure the right to access to the court without a personal appearance the Court is creating a list of attorneys willing to accept pro bono appointments.
The Superior Court of California, County of Fresno is currently seeking applications from individuals interested in accepting appointments to represent parties pro bono in their civil proceedings. The Court is predominantly seeking attorneys interested in assisting incarcerated individuals with their civil actions. The Court is also seeking attorneys who may be interested in representing patients at the Coalinga State Hospital.
If you are interested in being placed on the civil indigent panel please complete the
application
and return to:
Superior Court of California, County of Fresno
Research Division
1130 O Street, 5th Floor
Fresno, CA 93724-0002
Jeannie Goshgarian
Managing Research Attorney
Trial Readiness Calendar
Pursuant to Local Rule 2.5.8 , all parties to Unlimited and Limited Civil Cases set for trial, absent prior approval from the CJAP or Civil Presiding Judge, are required to attend a Trial Readiness Hearing occurring the Friday immediately preceding their trial date at 9:30 a.m., in Department 501.
Inquiry will be made as to the case status, time estimates, whether a jury is still requested etc., and the parties will be assigned to a further mandatory settlement conference (see Local Rule 2.6.2 ). The settlement conference shall be subject to the provisions of Local Rule 2.5.5 .
The parties will be expected to acknowledge that they have met and conferred as directed in Local Rule 2.6.1. , and are prepared to provide all pre trial documents to the court including Trial Briefs, in limine motions, jury instructions etc.
The Trial Readiness hearing will be conducted in accordance with Local Rule 2.6.2. All parties, whether represented or in pro per, are expected to be familiar, and to comply, with the rules cited herein.
Remote Video Proceedings
During the pandemic the Court was committed to keeping the court open and moving forward with a steadfast pledge to our community to do so in a safe and secure manner as we confronted the challenges of COVID.
During the pandemic the Fresno Superior Court enacted Emergency Orders which allowed for remote appearances which expired on June 30, 2022. All Civil/Family Law matters were required to proceed with requests for remote appearances in compliance with Civil Code Procedure section 367.75 and California Rules of Court rule 3.672.
State legislation took effect on January 1, 2022, allowing for the continuance of remote appearances in civil, family, probate and juvenile dependency, per Code of Civil Procedure sections CCP 367.75 | CRC 3.672 . These statutes set forth the rules and procedure for allowing parties the right to appear remotely in a non-evidentiary hearing and present limitations to remote proceedings in evidentiary hearings and trials.
Civil Court Information
The following general interest topics are intended to assist you in civil matters:
