Regulations
California was the first state to pass legislation defining the paralegal profession in the United States. This legislation, AB 1761, added Business and Professions Code sections 6450 et al. to the books. A list of all case law and statutes that govern the paralegal profession in California appears below.
Statutes
Last Updated Tuesday, July 12, 2011
| Statute | Description |
|---|---|
| Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code sections 6060-6069 | California paralegal educational programs, considered nonlaw schools, are not subject to the oversight and regulation of the California State Bar Examining Committee. |
| Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code sections 6400-6401.6 | California Business and Professions Code sections 6400 et al., regarding legal document assistants and unlawful detainer assistants, does not apply to California paralegals. |
| Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code sections 6402-6407 | Individuals who obtain (1) a certificate of completion from a paralegal program that is institutionally accredited but not approved by the American Bar Association, and that requires successful completion of a minimum of 24 semester units, or the equivalent, in legal specialization courses, or (2) a certificate of completion from a paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association are eligible to apply for registration as a legal document assistant. |
| Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code sections 6450-6456 | Please see "What is a Paralegal?" for more information about California Business and Professions Code sections 6450 et al. |
| Cal. Harb. & Nav. Code sections 700-740 | For any order issued in resolution of a disciplinary proceeding in this article, "reasonable costs" shall include, but not be limited to, paralegal fees and costs, including salary, travel, and other expenses attributable to hours expended on the case by employees of the Office of the Attorney General and the Department. |
| Cal. Prob. Code sections 2630-2633 | Permits attorneys to conservators and guardians of an estate to be compensated, pursuant to an order fixing and allowing compensation for services rendered by a paralegal in filling an account of the administration of the deceased, incapacitated, or absconding guardian or conservator. |
| Cal. Prob. Code sections 2640-2647 | Permits attorneys to conservators and guardians of an estate to be compensated, pursuant to an order fixing and allowing compensation, for services rendered by a paralegal in the ordinary course of business. |
| Cal. Prob. Code sections 10810-10814 | Permits attorneys to conservators and guardians of an estate to be compensated, pursuant to an order fixing and allowing compensation for extraordinary services rendered by a paralegal determined by the court to be "just and reasonable." |
| Cal. Prob. Code sections 10950-10954 | Permits attorneys to conservators and guardians of an estate to be compensated, pursuant to an order fixing and allowing compensation for services rendered by a paralegal in filling an account of the administration of the deceased, incapacitated, or absconding guardian or conservator. |
Case Law
Last Updated Tuesday, July 12, 2011
 This page of the San Francisco Paralegal Association website is currently under construction. We apologize for the inconvenience. |
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