On the trial of a question of fact by the court, the court must announce its tentative decision by an oral statement, entered in the minutes, or by a written statement filed with the clerk. Unless the announcement is made in open court in the presence of all parties that appeared at the trial, the clerk must immediately serve on all parties that appeared at the trial a copy of the minute entry or written tentative decision.

(Subd (a) amended effective January 1, 2010; previously amended effective January 1, 1969, July 1, 1973, January 1, 1982, January 1, 1983, and January 1, 2007.)

The tentative decision does not constitute a judgment and is not binding on the court. If the court subsequently modifies or changes its announced tentative decision, the clerk must serve a copy of the modification or change on all parties that appeared at the trial.

(Subd (b) amended effective January 1, 2010; adopted as part of subd (a) effective January 1, 1949; previously amended and lettered effective January 1, 2007; previously amended effective January 1, 2007.)

The court in its tentative decision may:

Within 10 days after announcement or service of the tentative decision, whichever is later, any party that appeared at trial may request a statement of decision to address the principal controverted issues. The principal controverted issues must be specified in the request.

(Subd (d) adopted effective January 1, 2010.)

If a party requests a statement of decision under (d), any other party may make proposals as to the content of the statement of decision within 10 days of after the date of request for a statement of decision.

(Subd (e) amended and relettered effective January 1, 2010; adopted as subd (b); previously amended effective January 1, 1969, and January 1, 1982; previously amended and relettered as subd (d) effective January 1, 2007.)

If a party requests a statement of decision under (d), the court must, within 30 days of announcement or service of the tentative decision, prepare and serve a proposed statement of decision and a proposed judgment on all parties that appeared at the trial, unless the court has ordered a party to prepare the statement. A party that has been ordered to prepare the statement must within 30 days after the announcement or service of the tentative decision, serve and submit to the court a proposed statement of decision and a proposed judgment. If the proposed statement of decision and judgment are not served and submitted within that time, any other party that appeared at the trial may within 10 days thereafter:

Any party may, within 15 days after the proposed statement of decision and judgment have been served, serve and file objections to the proposed statement of decision or judgment.

(Subd (g) amended and relettered effective January 1, 2010; adopted as subd (d); previously amended effective January 1, 1969, and January 1, 1982; previously relettered as subd (f) effective January 1, 2007.)

If no party requests or is ordered to prepare a statement of decision and a written judgment is required, the court must prepare and serve a proposed judgment on all parties that appeared at the trial within 20 days after the announcement or service of the tentative decision or the court may order a party to prepare, serve, and submit the proposed judgment to the court within 10 days after the date of the order.

(Subd (h) amended and relettered effective January 1, 2010; previously amended effective January 1, 1969; previously amended and relettered as subd (e) effective January 1, 1982, and as subd (g) effective January 1, 2007.)

If the court orders that the statement of decision is deemed waived and a written judgment is required, the court must, within 10 days of the order deeming the statement of decision waived, either prepare and serve a proposed judgment on all parties that appeared at the trial or order a party to prepare, serve, and submit the proposed judgment to the court within 10 days.

(Subd (i) adopted effective January 1, 2010.)

Any party may, within 10 days after service of the proposed judgment, serve and file objections thereto.

(Subd (j) adopted effective January 1, 2010.)

The court may order a hearing on proposals or objections to a proposed statement of decision or the proposed judgment.

(Subd (k) amended and relettered effective January 1, 2010; adopted as subd (f) effective January 1, 1982; previously relettered as subd (i) effective January 1, 2007.)

If a written judgment is required, the court must sign and file the judgment within 50 days after the announcement or service of the tentative decision, whichever is later, or, if a hearing was held under (k), within 10 days after the hearing. An electronic signature by the court is as effective as an original signature. The judgment constitutes the decision on which judgment is to be entered under Code of Civil Procedure section 664.

(Subd (l) amended effective January 1, 2016; adopted as part of subd (e); previously amended and relettered as subd (h) effective January 1, 2007, and as subd (l) effective January 1, 2010)

The court may, by written order, extend any of the times prescribed by this rule and at any time before the entry of judgment may, for good cause shown and on such terms as may be just, excuse a noncompliance with the time limits prescribed for doing any act required by this rule.

(Subd (m) relettered effective January 1, 2010; previously amended effective January 1, 1969, and July 1, 1973; previously amended and relettered as subd (g) effective January 1, 1982, and as subd (j) effective January 1, 2007.)

When a trial is completed within one day or in less than eight hours over more than one day, a request for statement of decision must be made before the matter is submitted for decision and the statement of decision may be made orally on the record in the presence of the parties.

(Subd (n) amended and relettered effective January 1, 2010; adopted as subd (h) effective January 1, 1983; previously amended and relettered as subd (k) effective January 1, 2007.)