4-1. What is the process for reviewing writ petitions?

A. The Writ Panel. The Presiding Justice assigns three of the court's eight justices to serve as members of a writ panel on a rotating basis. The writ panel serves together for three or four months during the calendar year, although other justices may substitute if one of the panel members is unavailable.

B. The Writ Calendar / Writ Conference.

1. The managing attorney, working in conjunction with the Presiding Justice writ panel usually holds a face-to-face writ conference once a week. This generally takes place on Thursdays, but the timing of writ conferences may vary.
2. The managing appellate court attorney and central staff attorneys prepare confidential written summaries of original proceedings which are placed on the writ calendar. These are provided to the writ panel members before their weekly conference. Urgent matters may be handled on an ad hoc basis without a written summary.