CCP 170.6 peremptory challenge: judge known at least 10 days before trial/hearing
5 days before trial or hearing date, under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 170.6(a)(2).
Rule text
If the judge, other than a judge assigned to the case for all purposes, court commissioner, or referee assigned to, or who is scheduled to try, the cause or hear the matter is known at least 10 days before the date set for trial or hearing, the motion shall be made at least 5 days before that date. If directed to the trial of a cause with a master calendar, the motion shall be made to the judge supervising the master calendar not later than the time the cause is assigned for trial.
Calculate this deadline
- Trigger (Trial or hearing date): Friday, November 6, 2026.
- Count back 5 calendar days: Sunday, November 1, 2026.
- That day is a Sunday. Counting backward, this calculator uses the earlier court day so the full notice period is preserved: Friday, October 30, 2026 (see Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 12c).
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 170.6(a)(2)
If the judge, other than a judge assigned to the case for all purposes, court commissioner, or referee assigned to, or who is scheduled to try, the cause or hear the matter is known at least 10 days before the date set for trial or hearing, the motion shall be made at least 5 days before that date. If directed to the trial of a cause with a master calendar, the motion shall be made to the judge supervising the master calendar not later than the time the cause is assigned for trial.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
- Counting backward from a hearing or trial, when the day lands on a weekend or holiday we use the earlier court day. The rules do not state the direction expressly; confirm with the court.
- Applies only when the judge is known at least 10 days before. Master-calendar and 'known less than 10 days' situations are not expressible in days (motion due when the case is assigned / before the hearing commences). Single-judge courts: 30 days from first appearance. Backward count; move to previous court day.
- 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
Trial or hearing date on Monday, March 15, 2027, personal service: due Wednesday, March 10, 2027.
- Trigger (Trial or hearing date): Monday, March 15, 2027.
- Count back 5 calendar days: Wednesday, March 10, 2027.
Notes
Applies only when the judge is known at least 10 days before. Master-calendar and 'known less than 10 days' situations are not expressible in days (motion due when the case is assigned / before the hearing commences). Single-judge courts: 30 days from first appearance. Backward count; move to previous court day.
Related deadlines
- Noticed motion: serve and file moving papers before hearing (16 court days before)
- Noticed motion: opposition (9 court days before)
- Noticed motion: reply (5 court days before)
- Motion for summary judgment / adjudication: notice before hearing (81 days before)
- Motion for summary judgment: opposition (20 days before)
- Motion for summary judgment: reply (11 days before)
- Motion for summary judgment: last day for hearing before trial (30 days before)
- Ex parte application: notice to other parties (1 court day before)
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.