Susan Prager, Professor, UCLA School of Law

The California Courts of Appeal were created in 1905 in response to the population growth and economic changes of the early 20th century. This new system of appellate courts was designed to address the delays in considering appeals that had been a problem since the second constitutional convention. The creation of the Courts of Appeal also helped to reduce corruption in the judiciary, allowed the Supreme Court to consider fewer cases in greater depth, and enabled a greater reflection of diversity in the California judiciary.