# Cal. R. Ct. 5.9: Rule 5.9. Appearance by telephone

> California · Court rules · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_CA_T5_R5_9

## Section

- **Citation:** Cal. R. Ct. 5.9
- **Heading:** Rule 5.9. Appearance by telephone
- **Jurisdiction:** California
- **Kind:** Court rules
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** California Court Rules / Title 5 / Rule 5.9

## Text

(a) Application Subdivisions (b) through (d) of this rule are suspended from January 1, 2022, to January 1, 2027. During that time, the provisions in rule 3.672 apply in their place. This rule applies to all family law cases, except for actions for child support involving a local child support agency and cases governed by the Indian Child Welfare Act. Rule 5.324 governs telephone appearances in governmental child support cases. Welfare and Institutions Code section 224.2(k) governs telephone appearances in cases under the Indian Child Welfare Act. (Subd (a) amended effective January 1, 2026; previously amended effective January 1, 2021, January 1, 2022, and August 4, 2023.) (b) Telephone appearance The court may permit a party to appear by telephone at a hearing, conference, or proceeding if the court determines that a telephone appearance is appropriate. (c) Need for personal appearance (1) At its discretion, the court may require a party to appear in person at a hearing, conference, or proceeding if the court determines that a personal appearance would materially assist in the determination of the proceedings or in the effective management or resolution of the particular case. (2) If, at any time during a hearing, conference, or proceeding conducted by telephone, the court determines that a personal appearance is necessary, the court may continue the matter and require a personal appearance. (d) Local rules Courts may develop local rules to specify procedures regarding appearances by telephone. Rule 5.9 amended effective January 1, 2026; adopted effective January 1, 2013; previously amended effective January 1, 2021, January 1, 2022, and August 4, 2023.

## Nearby sections

- [Cal. R. Ct. 5.1 Rule 5.1. Title](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_CA_T5_R5_1.md)
- [Cal. R. Ct. 5.2 Rule 5.2. Division title; definitions; application of rules and laws](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_CA_T5_R5_2.md)
- [Cal. R. Ct. 5.4 Rule 5.4. Preemption; local rules and forms](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_CA_T5_R5_4.md)
- [Cal. R. Ct. 5.7 Rule 5.7. Use of forms](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_CA_T5_R5_7.md)
- [Cal. R. Ct. 5.9 Rule 5.9. Appearance by telephone](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_CA_T5_R5_9.md)
- [Cal. R. Ct. 5.12 Rule 5.12. Request for order regarding discovery](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_CA_T5_R5_12.md)
- [Cal. R. Ct. 5.14 Rule 5.14. Sanctions for violations of rules of court in family law cases](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_CA_T5_R5_14.md)
- [Cal. R. Ct. 5.16 Rule 5.16. Designation of parties](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_CA_T5_R5_16.md)
- [Cal. R. Ct. 5.17 Rule 5.17. Other causes of action](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_CA_T5_R5_17.md)
- [Cal. R. Ct. 5.18 Rule 5.18. Injunctive relief and reservation of jurisdiction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_CA_T5_R5_18.md)
- [Cal. R. Ct. 5.24 Rule 5.24. Joinder of persons claiming interest](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_CA_T5_R5_24.md)
- [Cal. R. Ct. 5.29 Rule 5.29. Joinder of employee pension benefit plan](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_CA_T5_R5_29.md)
- [Cal. R. Ct. 5.40 Rule 5.40. Filing fees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_CA_T5_R5_40.md)
- [Cal. R. Ct. 5.41 Rule 5.41. Waiver of fees and costs](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_CA_T5_R5_41.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_CA_T5_R5_9. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.