Mandatory evaluation conference (55.545): plaintiff's application within 15 days after defendant files responsive pleadings (if defendant did not request one)
15 days after date the defendant filed its responsive pleading(s), under Cal. Civ. Code 55.545(a).
Rule text
(a) A defendant who does not qualify for an early evaluation conference pursuant Section 55.54, or who forgoes the provisions of Section 55.54, may request a mandatory evaluation conference. A plaintiff may, if the defendant does not make the request with the filing of the responsive pleadings, request a mandatory evaluation conference by filing an application within 15 days of the defendant's filing of responsive pleadings.
Calculate this deadline
- Trigger (Date the defendant filed its responsive pleading(s)): Friday, November 6, 2026.
- Exclude the trigger day and count 15 calendar days: Saturday, November 21, 2026.
- That day is a Saturday, so the deadline moves to the next court day: Monday, November 23, 2026 (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 12, 12a, 12b, 10; Cal. Rules of Court, rule 1.10).
Cal. Civ. Code 55.545(a)
(a) A defendant who does not qualify for an early evaluation conference pursuant Section 55.54, or who forgoes the provisions of Section 55.54, may request a mandatory evaluation conference. A plaintiff may, if the defendant does not make the request with the filing of the responsive pleadings, request a mandatory evaluation conference by filing an application within 15 days of the defendant's filing of responsive pleadings.Official source
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 12, 12a, 12b, 10; Cal. Rules of Court, rule 1.10
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." CCP 10: "Holidays within the meaning of this code are every Sunday and any other days that are specified or provided for as judicial holidays in Section 135."Official source
- Runs from the defendant's FILING of responsive pleadings, not service; no CCP 1013 extension modeled (a lawyer may argue otherwise if the pleading was served by mail, but the text keys to filing). A defendant's request must be made simultaneously with its responsive pleading (55.545(b)). Applies to claims filed on or after Jan. 1, 2013 (55.545(m)). Civ. Code 55.545 added by Stats. 2012, ch. 383 (SB 1186), eff. Sept. 19, 2012.
- 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 defendant filed its responsive pleading(s) on Monday, March 15, 2027, personal service: due Tuesday, March 30, 2027.
- Trigger (Date the defendant filed its responsive pleading(s)): Monday, March 15, 2027.
- Exclude the trigger day and count 15 calendar days: Tuesday, March 30, 2027.
Notes
Runs from the defendant's FILING of responsive pleadings, not service; no CCP 1013 extension modeled (a lawyer may argue otherwise if the pleading was served by mail, but the text keys to filing). A defendant's request must be made simultaneously with its responsive pleading (55.545(b)). Applies to claims filed on or after Jan. 1, 2013 (55.545(m)). Civ. Code 55.545 added by Stats. 2012, ch. 383 (SB 1186), eff. Sept. 19, 2012.
Related deadlines
- Construction-related accessibility claim: defendant's application for stay and early evaluation conference (no later than first responsive pleading or appearance, normally 30 days after service of summons) (30 days after)
- Construction-related accessibility claim: application for stay and early evaluation conference after plaintiff (formerly in pro per) serves Notice of Substitution of Counsel (30 days) (30 days after)
- Early evaluation conference: court must set it no later than 70 days after issuing the stay order (70 days after)
- Early evaluation conference: may not be set earlier than 50 days after the defendant's application is filed (50 days after)
- Early evaluation conference: 90-day stay of the construction-related accessibility claim (expires) (90 days after)
- Early evaluation conference: qualified defendant files and serves CASp inspection report at least 15 days before the conference (15 days before)
- Early evaluation conference: plaintiff files and serves statement (itemized conditions, damages, fees, settlement demand) at least 15 days before the conference (15 days before)
- Early evaluation conference: joint site inspection at the premises (if defendant requested) no later than 30 days after the court order (30 days after)
Local rules by county
County local rules and courtroom procedures can add to or change this deadline. Pick a county to calculate with them applied.
- Alameda
- Alpine
- Amador
- Butte
- Calaveras
- Colusa
- Contra Costa
- Del Norte
- El Dorado
- Fresno
- Glenn
- Humboldt
- Imperial
- Inyo
- Kern
- Kings
- Lake
- Lassen
- Los Angeles
- Madera
- Marin
- Mariposa
- Mendocino
- Merced
- Modoc
- Mono
- Monterey
- Napa
- Nevada
- Orange
- Placer
- Plumas
- Riverside
- Sacramento
- San Benito
- San Bernardino
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Joaquin
- San Luis Obispo
- San Mateo
- Santa Barbara
- Santa Clara
- Santa Cruz
- Shasta
- Sierra
- Siskiyou
- Solano
- Sonoma
- Stanislaus
- Sutter
- Tehama
- Trinity
- Tulare
- Tuolumne
- Ventura
- Yolo
- Yuba
Rules current as of 2026-10-25. Confirm against the official source and any local rule or court order before relying on a date. Rules changelog.