Return or opposition after alternative writ, OSC, or Palma notice: 30 days
30 days after date the court issued the alternative writ or order to show cause, or notified the parties it is considering a peremptory writ in the first instance, under Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.487(b)(2).
Rule text
(2) Unless the court orders otherwise, the return or opposition must be served and filed within 30 days after the court issues the alternative writ or order to show cause or notifies the parties that it is considering issuing a peremptory writ in the first instance.
Calculate this deadline
- Trigger (Date the court issued the alternative writ or order to show cause, or notified the parties it is considering a peremptory writ in the first instance): Friday, November 6, 2026.
- Exclude the trigger day and count 30 calendar days: Sunday, December 6, 2026.
- That day is a Sunday, so the deadline moves to the next court day: Monday, December 7, 2026 (Cal. Rules of Court, rules 1.10, 8.60(a); Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 12, 12a, 12b).
Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.487(b)(2)
(2) Unless the court orders otherwise, the return or opposition must be served and filed within 30 days after the court issues the alternative writ or order to show cause or notifies the parties that it is considering issuing a peremptory writ in the first instance.Official source
Cal. Rules of Court, rules 1.10, 8.60(a); Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 12, 12a, 12b
CRC 1.10(a): "The time in which any act provided by these rules is to be performed is computed by excluding the first day and including the last, unless the last day is a Saturday, Sunday, or other legal holiday, and then it is also excluded." CRC 1.10(b): "Unless otherwise provided by law, if the last day for the performance of any act that is required by these rules to be performed within a specific period of time falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or other legal holiday, the period is extended to and includes the next day that is not a holiday." CRC 8.60(a): "The Code of Civil Procedure governs computing and extending the time to do any act required or permitted under these rules." CCP 12: "The time in which any act provided by law is to be done is computed by excluding the first day, and including the last, unless the last day is a holiday, and then it is also excluded." CCP 12a(a): "If the last day for the performance of any act provided or required by law to be performed within a specified period of time is a holiday, then that period is hereby extended to and including the next day that is not a holiday. For purposes of this section, “holiday” means all day on Saturdays, all holidays specified in Section 135 and, to the extent provided in Section 12b, all days that by terms of Section 12b are required to be considered as holidays." CCP 12b: "If any city, county, state, or public office, other than a branch office, is closed for the whole of any day, insofar as the business of that office is concerned, that day shall be considered as a holiday for the purposes of computing time under Sections 12 and 12a."Official source
- Court order may set a different time.
- If the clerk's office is closed or inaccessible on the last day (weather, emergency or local closure orders), the deadline may be extended. Check local orders.
This calculator applies the cited rules to the dates you enter. It is not legal advice. Court orders, local rules, and case-specific facts can change a deadline; verify before relying on it. Rule set pending attorney review.
Worked example
Date the court issued the alternative writ or order to show cause, or notified the parties it is considering a peremptory writ in the first instance on Monday, March 15, 2027, personal service: due Wednesday, April 14, 2027.
- Trigger (Date the court issued the alternative writ or order to show cause, or notified the parties it is considering a peremptory writ in the first instance): Monday, March 15, 2027.
- Exclude the trigger day and count 30 calendar days: Wednesday, April 14, 2027.
Notes
Court order may set a different time.
Related deadlines
- Writ petition to review ruling on judicial disqualification (CCP 170.3(d)): 10 days after service of notice of entry (10 days after)
- Writ petition to review lis pendens expungement order (CCP 405.39): 20 days after service of written notice of order (20 days after)
- Writ petition from order on summary judgment/adjudication motion (other than entry of summary judgment) (CCP 437c(m)(1)): 20 days after service of notice of entry (20 days after)
- Preliminary opposition to writ petition: 10 days after petition filed (10 days after)
- Reply to preliminary opposition: 10 days after preliminary opposition filed (10 days after)
- Petitioner's reply to return or opposition: 15 days (15 days after)
- Writ decision (other than summary denial) final: 30 days after filing (30 days after)
Rules current as of 2026-10-23. Confirm against the official source and any local rule or court order before relying on a date. Rules changelog.