08/12/2026
⚖️ BIG WIN FOR EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE IN CALIFORNIA! ⚖️
The California Supreme Court has issued an important decision protecting Californians who cannot afford to hire a private court reporter. 📣
In *Family Violence Appellate Project v. Superior Court* (Case No. S288176), the Court recognized that civil litigants must have meaningful access to an official, word-for-word record of their court proceedings. When an official court reporter is unavailable, the court may be required—upon request—to provide another means of creating an official verbatim record, including electronic recording.
Why does this matter? 🤔
Without an official record of what happened at a hearing, it can be extremely difficult—or even impossible—to challenge an incorrect ruling on appeal. This issue frequently affects self-represented litigants in:
✅ Family law and child custody matters
✅ Domestic violence and civil harassment cases
✅ Divorce and support proceedings
✅ Probate and conservatorship matters
✅ Housing and debt-collection cases
✅ Other civil proceedings
📌 Important: Litigants should still request a court reporter or official verbatim record before their hearing. Do not assume the proceeding will automatically be recorded.
This landmark decision is an important step toward ensuring that access to justice does not depend on someone’s ability to pay. 🙌⚖️
Need help preparing California court documents? Contact us today!
📍 Candelaria’s LDA Services
252 N. Hockett Street
Porterville, CA 93257
📞 (559) 483-1429
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⚠️ DISCLAIMER: I am not an attorney. I cannot provide legal advice or represent you in court. I can only provide self-help services and prepare legal documents at your specific direction.
Read the California Supreme Court’s published opinion here:
https://courts.ca.gov/opinion/published/2026-08-10/s288176