Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 2018.010. Section 2018.010.
For purposes of this chapter, “client” means a “client” as defined in Section 951 of the Evidence Code.
CHAPTER 4. Attorney Work Product [2018.010. - 2018.080.]
Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP 4.
in effectCal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 2018.020. Section 2018.020.
It is the policy of the state to do both of the following:
(a)
Preserve the rights of attorneys to prepare cases for trial with that degree of privacy necessary to encourage them to prepare their cases thoroughly and to investigate not only the favorable but the unfavorable aspects of those cases.
(b)
Prevent attorneys from taking undue advantage of their adversary’s industry and
efforts.
Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 2018.030. Section 2018.030.
(a)
A writing that reflects an attorney’s impressions, conclusions, opinions, or legal research or theories is not discoverable under any circumstances.
(b)
The work product of an attorney, other than a writing described in subdivision (a), is not discoverable unless the court determines that denial of discovery will unfairly prejudice the party seeking discovery in preparing that party’s claim or defense or will result in an
injustice.
Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 2018.040. Section 2018.040.
This chapter is intended to be a restatement of existing law relating to protection of work product. It is not intended to expand or reduce the extent to which work product is discoverable under existing law in any action.
Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 2018.050. Section 2018.050.
Notwithstanding Section 2018.040, when a lawyer is suspected of knowingly participating in a crime or fraud, there is no protection of work product under this chapter in any official investigation by a law enforcement agency or proceeding or action brought by a public prosecutor in the name of the people of the State of California if the services of the lawyer were sought or obtained to enable or aid anyone to commit or plan to commit a crime or fraud.
Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 2018.060. Section 2018.060.
Nothing in this chapter is intended to limit an attorney’s ability to request an in camera hearing as provided for in People v. Superior Court (Laff) (2001) 25 Cal.4th 703.
Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 2018.070. Section 2018.070.
(a)
The State Bar may discover the work product of an attorney against whom disciplinary charges are pending when it is relevant to issues of breach of duty by the lawyer and requisite client approval has been granted.
(b)
Where requested and for good cause, discovery under this section shall be subject to a protective order to ensure the confidentiality of the work product except for its use by the State Bar in disciplinary investigations and its
consideration under seal in State Bar Court proceedings.
(c)
For purposes of this chapter, whenever a client has initiated a complaint against an attorney, the requisite client approval shall be deemed to have been granted.
Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 2018.080. Section 2018.080.
In an action between an attorney and a client or a former client of the attorney, no work product privilege under this chapter exists if the work product is relevant to an issue of breach by the attorney of a duty to the client arising out of the attorney-client relationship.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026