Local agency public works suit: parties select mediator within 15 days of court's mediation submittal (else any party may petition court)

15 days after date the court submitted the matter to mediation, under Cal. Pub. Contract Code 20104.4(a).

Rule text

The mediation process shall provide for the selection within 15 days by both parties of a disinterested third person as mediator, shall be commenced within 30 days of the submittal, and shall be concluded within 15 days from the commencement of the mediation unless a time requirement is extended upon a good cause showing to the court or by stipulation of both parties. If the parties fail to select a mediator within the 15-day period, any party may petition the court to appoint the mediator.

Cal. Pub. Contract Code 20104.4(a), official source

Calculate this deadline

Deadline
Monday, November 23, 2026
  1. Trigger (Date the court submitted the matter to mediation): Friday, November 6, 2026.
  2. Exclude the trigger day and count 15 calendar days: Saturday, November 21, 2026.
  3. 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).
Rules applied
Cal. Pub. Contract Code 20104.4(a)
The mediation process shall provide for the selection within 15 days by both parties of a disinterested third person as mediator, shall be commenced within 30 days of the submittal, and shall be concluded within 15 days from the commencement of the mediation unless a time requirement is extended upon a good cause showing to the court or by stipulation of both parties. If the parties fail to select a mediator within the 15-day period, any party may petition the court to appoint the mediator.
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
  • Local agency public works claim (Pub. Contract Code 20104-20104.6; claims of $375,000 or less).
  • 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 submitted the matter to mediation on Monday, March 15, 2027, personal service: due Tuesday, March 30, 2027.

  1. Trigger (Date the court submitted the matter to mediation): Monday, March 15, 2027.
  2. Exclude the trigger day and count 15 calendar days: Tuesday, March 30, 2027.

Notes

Local agency public works claim (Pub. Contract Code 20104-20104.6; claims of $375,000 or less).

Related deadlines

All California civil deadlines

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.

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.