Assemblymember Harabedian Introduces Bill to Accelerate Access to Justice and Reduce Court Backlogs in Los Angeles County

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:Tuesday, February 17, 2026

CONTACT:Sam Villaneda, [email protected], (760) 269-9391

Tom Steel, [email protected], (530) 713-7783

Assemblymember Harabedian Introduces Bill to Accelerate Access to Justice and Reduce Court Backlogs in Los Angeles County

(SACRAMENTO, CA) - Today, Assemblymember John Harabedian (D-Pasadena)introduced AB 1950, legislation designed to reduce crowded trial dockets and accelerate access to justice in Los Angeles County by expanding the use of court-ordered mediation.

Under current law, judges may only order civil cases into mediation when the amount in controversy is less than $75,000. This threshold fails to reflect the size, complexity, and volume of cases within the Los Angeles County court system, the largest in the state, where disputes often involve higher amounts and place significant demands on judicial resources.

"AB 1950 will give Los Angeles County courts the tools they need to better manage growing caseloads, reduce costly delays for litigants, and deliver timely resolutions," said Assemblymember John Harabedian (D-Pasadena). "Expanding access to mediation will ease pressure on our courts and help create a justice system that is more efficient, equitable, and responsive to the people of Los Angeles County."

"The Superior Court of Los Angeles County remains steadfast in advancing innovative solutions that expand and expedite access to justice. In response to an unprecedented surge in civil filings, we are proud to collaborate with Assemblymember Harabedian and key stakeholders on AB 1950," said Presiding Judge Sergio C. Tapia II. "AB 1950 authorizes judges to order resolution-ready cases into the Court's well-established mediation programs, where skilled mediators to provide up to three hours of mediation at no cost to the parties. By leveraging the power of mediation as an efficient pathway to resolution, while fully preserving every party's right to a timely trial, AB 1950 will help resolve disputes more quickly for litigants and safeguard limited court resources."

AB 1950 would authorize judges in the Superior Court of Los Angeles County to refer any civil case to mediation, regardless of the dollar amount at issue. The measure establishes a time-limited pilot program set to sunset on January 1, 2032, allowing the court to evaluate its effectiveness.

By giving parties early opportunities to resolve disputes collaboratively, AB 1950 aims to ease congested trial dockets, reduce judicial backlogs, lower costs for litigants, and accelerate the delivery of justice.

This bill will be heard in Assembly policy committees during the spring.

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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.