General Civil Case Cover Sheet - Preparation Worksheet - California

GENERAL CIVIL CASE COVER SHEET — CALIFORNIA

Preparation worksheet only. Transfer the completed information to mandatory Judicial Council form CM-010, Civil Case Cover Sheet (rev. July 1, 2026). Do not file this markdown worksheet in place of the official form.

1. ATTORNEY, COURT, AND CASE INFORMATION

2. JURISDICTION AND COMPLEX COUNTERDESIGNATION

Select one amount classification:

☐ Unlimited civil: amount demanded exceeds $35,000.

☐ Limited civil: amount demanded is $35,000 or less.

For a defendant filing CM-010 no later than the first appearance under California Rules of Court, rule 3.402, select if applicable:

☐ Counterdesignation: the defendant designates the case as complex or not complex.

☐ Joinder: the defendant joins the plaintiff's complex designation.

3. ITEM 1 — CASE TYPE

Check one case type that best describes the primary cause of action.

Auto Tort

• ☐ Auto (22)
• ☐ Uninsured motorist (46)

Asbestos

• ☐ Asbestos (04)

Other PI/PD/WD Tort

• ☐ Product liability (24)
• ☐ Medical malpractice (45)
• ☐ Other PI/PD/WD (23)

Non-PI/PD/WD Tort

• ☐ Business tort/unfair business practice (07)
• ☐ Civil rights (08)
• ☐ Defamation (13)
• ☐ Fraud (16)
• ☐ Intellectual property (19)
• ☐ Professional negligence (25)
• ☐ Other non-PI/PD/WD tort (35)

Employment

• ☐ Wrongful termination (36)
• ☐ Other employment (15)

Contract

• ☐ Breach of contract/warranty (06)
• ☐ Song-Beverly Act: Motor Vehicle Lemon Law (49)
• ☐ Rule 3.740 collections (09)
• ☐ Other collections (09)
• ☐ Insurance coverage (18)
• ☐ Other contract (37)

Real Property

• ☐ Eminent domain/inverse condemnation (14)
• ☐ Wrongful eviction (33)
• ☐ Other real property (26)

Unlawful Detainer

• ☐ Commercial (31)
• ☐ Residential (32)
• ☐ Drugs (38)

Judicial Review

• ☐ Asset forfeiture (05)
• ☐ Petition regarding arbitration award (11)
• ☐ Writ of mandate (02)
• ☐ Other judicial review (39)

Employment Development Department

• ☐ EDD decision review (48)

Provisionally Complex Civil Litigation

• ☐ Antitrust/trade regulation (03)
• ☐ Construction defect (10)
• ☐ Mass tort (40)
• ☐ Securities litigation (28)
• ☐ Environmental/toxic tort (30)
• ☐ Comprehensive groundwater adjudication (47)
• ☐ Insurance coverage claims arising from the listed provisionally complex types (41)

Enforcement of Judgment

• ☐ Enforcement of judgment (20)

Miscellaneous Civil Complaint

• ☐ RICO (27)
• ☐ Other complaint not specified above (42)

Miscellaneous Civil Petition

• ☐ Partnership and corporate governance (21)
• ☐ Other petition not specified above (43)

Page 3 of CM-010 gives civil harassment, workplace violence, elder or dependent adult abuse, election contest, name change, and petition for relief from the government-claim requirement as examples under Other petition (43); it does not assign those examples separate case-type codes.

Rule 3.740 collections review

☐ The claim seeks a certain sum of no more than $35,000, excluding interest and attorney fees, from a credit transaction involving property, services, or money.

☐ The claim does not seek tort or punitive damages, recovery of real or personal property, or a prejudgment writ of attachment.

☐ If both checks apply, select Rule 3.740 collections (09) on the official CM-010 and serve that form with the complaint.

4. ITEMS 2–5 — CASE DETAILS

2. Is this case complex under California Rules of Court, rule 3.400?

☐ Yes ☐ No

If yes, mark all factors requiring exceptional judicial management:

• ☐ Large number of separately represented parties
• ☐ Extensive motion practice raising difficult or novel issues
• ☐ Substantial amount of documentary evidence
• ☐ Large number of witnesses
• ☐ Coordination with related actions in other courts
• ☐ Substantial postjudgment judicial supervision

3. Remedies sought: ☐ Monetary ☐ Nonmonetary/declaratory/injunctive ☐ Punitive

4. Number of causes of action: [____]

5. Is this a class action suit? ☐ Yes ☐ No

5. ITEM 6 — RELATED CASES

☐ There are known related cases. File and serve a notice of related case; form CM-015 may be used.

6. SIGNATURE

7. FILING CHECKLIST

1. ☐ Complete items 1–6 on the current official CM-010.
2. ☐ File CM-010 with the first paper in the civil action or proceeding.
3. ☐ Check whether a local cover sheet or addendum is also required.
4. ☐ If the case is designated complex or is a rule 3.740 collections case, serve CM-010 with the complaint.
5. ☐ If known related cases exist, file and serve the required notice of related case.
6. ☐ Confirm current filing fees or fee-waiver requirements with the filing court; fees are intentionally not hardcoded here.

Practice Notes

• Rule 3.220 requires CM-010 with the first paper in each civil action or proceeding except small claims matters and matters filed under the Probate, Family, or Welfare and Institutions Codes.
• The clerk must still file a first paper submitted without a required, complete cover sheet, but the omission may expose the party or counsel to sanctions under rules 2.30 and 3.220.
• CM-010 is served with the complaint only when the plaintiff designates a complex case or a rule 3.740 collections case; otherwise rule 3.220 does not require service of the cover sheet.
• Under Code of Civil Procedure section 85, the $35,000 limited-case ceiling excludes attorney fees, interest, and costs, and the requested relief must also be available in a limited civil case.
• A rule 3.740 collections case is capped at $35,000 exclusive of interest and attorney fees and excludes tort damages, punitive damages, recovery of real or personal property, and prejudgment attachment.

Sources and References

• Judicial Council of California, CM-010, Civil Case Cover Sheet (rev. July 1, 2026): https://courts.ca.gov/sites/default/files/courts/default/2024-11/cm010.pdf
• California Rules of Court, rule 2.30: https://courts.ca.gov/cms/rules/index/two/rule2_30
• California Rules of Court, rule 3.220: https://courts.ca.gov/cms/rules/index/three/rule3_220
• California Rules of Court, rule 3.400: https://courts.ca.gov/cms/rules/index/three/rule3_400
• California Rules of Court, rule 3.402: https://courts.ca.gov/cms/rules/index/three/rule3_402
• California Rules of Court, rule 3.740: https://courts.ca.gov/cms/rules/index/three/rule3_740
• California Code of Civil Procedure section 85: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=85.&lawCode=CCP

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