(a) Time of transfer
On a party's petition or its own motion, the Supreme Court may transfer to itself, for decision, a cause pending in a Court of Appeal.
(b) When a cause is pending
For purposes of this rule, a cause within the appellate jurisdiction of the superior court is not pending in the Court of Appeal until that court orders it transferred under rule 8.1002. Any cause pending in the Court of Appeal remains pending until the decision of the Court of Appeal is final in that court.
(Subd (b) amended effective January 1, 2009; previously amended effective January 1, 2007.)
(c) Grounds
The Supreme Court will not order transfer under this rule unless the cause presents an issue of great public importance that the Supreme Court must promptly resolve.
(d) Petition and answer
A party seeking transfer under this rule must promptly serve and file in the Supreme Court a petition explaining how the cause satisfies the requirements of (c). Within 20 days after the petition is filed, any party may serve and file an answer. The petition and any answer must conform to the relevant provisions of rule 8.504.
(Subd (d) amended effective January 1, 2007.)
(e) Order
Transfer under this rule requires a Supreme Court order signed by at least four justices; an order denying transfer may be signed by the Chief Justice alone.
Rule 8.552 amended effective January 1, 2009; repealed and adopted as rule 29.9 effective January 1, 2003; previously amended and renumbered effective January 1, 2007.
Advisory Committee Comment
Rule 8.552 applies only to causes that the Supreme Court transfers to itself for the purpose of reaching a decision on the merits. The rule implements a portion of article VI, section 12(a) of the Constitution. As used in article VI, section 12(a) and the rule, the term "cause" is broadly construed to include " 'all cases, matters, and proceedings of every description' " adjudicated by the Courts of Appeal and the Supreme Court. (In re Rose (2000) 22 Cal.4th 430, 540, quoting In re Wells (1917) 174 Cal. 467, 471.)
Subdivision (b). For provisions addressing the finality of Court of Appeal decisions, see rules 8.264(b) (civil appeals), 8.366(b) (criminal appeals), 8.490 (proceedings for writs of mandate, certiorari, and prohibition), and 8.1018(a) (transfer of appellate division cases).