In her 2025 address, California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero highlighted how the state’s courts are overwhelmed, with too many cases and not enough judges. As a result, more parties are turning to alternative ways to resolve disputes.

In a recent article by Pillsbury attorneys Matt Brady and Pauleen Truong, the authors explore one such option: consensual general judicial reference, a process in which the parties agree to have a private judge (called a referee) decide the case. Unlike arbitration, judicial reference follows court rules and allows for appeals. In some, but not all cases, it can be a helpful tool for parties to navigate and resolve disputes.

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