California Chief Justice Applauds Budget Funds to Improve Civil Courts System

California Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. proposed $123 million for trial court system upgrades in this year’s state budget.

According to Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, the money is much needed by the state’s trial courts to restore services reduced during the recession.

“Few of us need to be reminded that in the Great Recession, civil cases took a back seat to criminal cases, ” said Cantil-Sakauye. “For many courts, civil dockets were, and continue to be, greatly delayed. The additional money would help courts help those who were unfortunately left behind—those seeking civil justice. Civil justice encompasses wide and complicated bodies of law like constitutional law, environmental law, consumer law, and health and welfare across the board. It focuses on claims for personal injury, discrimination, retaliation, misconduct, lost jobs, and many more.”

She said the money will help trial courts resolve civil matters in a timely manner. The funds come just in time, given the onslaught of claims/cases resulting from the devastating wildfires last year.

“This is important because what we know is there is an onslaught of cases waiting to be filed,” said Cantil-Sakauye. “With the fires alone, we’re informed that our residents have filed more than 45,000 insurance claims totaling nearly $12 billion dollars, concerning 32,000 homes and 4,000 businesses.”

Cantil-Sakauye commented on the budget earlier this week, during her State of the Judiciary address to the Joint Session of the California Legislature.