FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday May 22, 2026
CONTACT: Sam Villaneda, Samantha.Villaneda@asm.ca.gov, (760) 269-9391
Tom Steel, Tom.Steel@asm.ca.gov, (530) 713-7783
Asm Harabedian’s Bill to Accelerate Access to Justice Passes the Assembly Floor
(SACRAMENTO, CA) - Today, Assemblymember John Harabedian (D-Pasadena) passed AB 1950 off the Assembly Floor. By scaling the use of court-ordered mediation, an alternative dispute resolution process used widely in civil litigation, the bill reduces crowded trial dockets and accelerates access to justice in Los Angeles County.
AB 1950 addresses the critical issue of civil case backlogs that the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, which processes a substantial share of California’s civil case load, faces. The growing backlogs strain judicial resources and delays dispute resolution.
“Without this expanded access to mediation, Los Angeles courts will continue to face increasing caseloads and the rising costs and delays associated with dispute resolution” said Assemblymember John Harabedian (D–Pasadena). “Expanding access to mediation is instrumental in easing crowded trial dockets and improving Californian’s timely access to justice.”
By authorizing the Superior Court of Los Angeles County to refer any civil case to mediation, regardless of the amount in controversy, AB 1950 manages significant caseloads, reduces delays, and improves litigants’ timely access to dispute resolution. The bill establishes a temporary pilot program, set to sunset on January 1, 2032.
AB 1950 is supported by the Superior Court of Los Angeles County and the Judicial Council of California.
AB 1950 now advances to the State Senate where it will be heard in policy committee in June.
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Assemblymember John Harabedian represents the 41st District composed of the cities of La Cañada Flintridge, Pasadena, Altadena, Sierra Madre, Monrovia, Bradbury, San Dimas, La Verne, Claremont, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Oak Hills, Piñon Hills and Phelan.
