Contra Costa /divisions/civil

Source: https://contracosta.courts.ca.gov/divisions/civil

Civil

Public Notice – Civil Ex Parte and MSJ/MSA Procedure Changes Effective September 15, 2025

ZOOM SCAM ALERT - Thieves Pose as Court Personnel or Attorneys and Gain Personal Financial Information From Their Victims

Do not provide any information having to do with your bank or credit card to anyone claiming to be an officer of the court or of the law.

Please note that these calls are fraudulent and have no connection to the Superior Court. Court personnel will never ask for personal information over the phone such as social security numbers, credit card accounts, or bank routing numbers. If you receive a phone call from someone asking for personal or financial information, hang up and immediately report the situation to local law enforcement.

Be Aware of Scammers. Do not give your personal information out or send any payments to anyone claiming that you will receive money. The Court will never ask you to pay us in order to receive a payment in return. If you are contacted and asked to send a payment through any payment platforms such as Apple Pay, Venmo, PayPal, CashApp, etc., report it immediately to your local law enforcement and do not send money.

The Court will never demand payment by Apple Pay, Venmo, PayPal, CashApp, etc., for Zoom appearances. If you receive a call, email, chat message, or other communication making such a demand, do not respond and do not send money. Report it immediately to your local law enforcement.

Effective immediately, Zoom is now the Court's sole remote appearance platform. CourtCall is no longer supported.

Civil departments are open for in-person hearings, with litigants and parties having the option of appearing remotely. Members of the public may also access hearings remotely. For remote access, please go to the Courtroom Calendars page and click on the link for the appropriate Civil department under “Calendars by Department.”

Civil lawsuits (other than family, juvenile, probate, unlawful detainer, and civil harassment cases) can generally be divided into three categories depending on how much money is involved:

| When the dollar amount is... | This case is usually called a... | Under $12,500 | Small Claims case | Between $1 and $35,000 | Limited Jurisdiction Civil case | Between $1 and $35,000 | Limited Jurisdiction Civil case - Collections | Over $35,000 | Unlimited Jurisdiction Civil case

Information About Other Civil Case Types

Civil Discovery

Civil Harassment

Complex Litigation

Family Law

Juvenile

Probate (Conservatorship/Guardianship)

Unlawful Detainer (Eviction)

Online Services for Civil

Court Public Portal

Tentative Rulings Information

Court Process and Information

General Civil Departments

Discovery Facilitator Program

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Programs

Restraining Orders

Civil Grand Jury

Where To File

Court Reporting Services

Evidence Presentation Equipment

Environmental Quality Act Judges

Location and Other Information

Location and Hours

Ex Parte Hours and Locations

Fee Schedules

Civil Forms

Court Records

Legal Services Referral

Workshops, Clinics & Presentations