--- name: ca-law-references title: California Law References — General Civil Practice description: Use when researching law bearing on California civil court practice. Triggers include "CCP 437c", "summary judgment California", "Civil Discovery Act", "business records California", "authentication evidence California", "California citation format", "California Style Manual", "prevailing party fees", "motion to tax costs", "CCP 998 offer", "attorney fees contract", "LASC local rules", "case management conference", "demurrer", "motion to strike", "answer deadline", "collateral source California", "canonical URL California courts". Covers California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP), Evidence Code (CEC), California Rules of Court (CRC), fees and costs under CCP §§ 1032 and 1033.5, local rules, general civil key cases, California Style Manual citation conventions, and online-sources catalog. author: codearranger author_url: https://github.com/codearranger/claude-legal/tree/main/plugins/ca-court-docs/skills/ca-law-references license: MIT version: 0.1.2 execution_mode: open jurisdiction: us practice: litigation language: en sources: - title: Bpc ucl path: references/ca-statutes-debt/BPC-UCL.md - title: Ccp arbitration path: references/ca-statutes-debt/CCP-Arbitration.md - title: Ccp discovery path: references/ca-statutes-debt/CCP-Discovery.md - title: Ccp enforcement path: references/ca-statutes-debt/CCP-Enforcement.md - title: Ccp exemptions path: references/ca-statutes-debt/CCP-Exemptions.md - title: Ccp motions 1005 to 1020 path: references/ca-statutes-debt/CCP-Motions-1005-to-1020.md - title: Ccp pleadings path: references/ca-statutes-debt/CCP-Pleadings.md - title: Ccp relief 473 path: references/ca-statutes-debt/CCP-Relief-473.md - title: Ccp sol path: references/ca-statutes-debt/CCP-SOL.md - title: Ccp service path: references/ca-statutes-debt/CCP-Service.md - title: Ccp time computation path: references/ca-statutes-debt/CCP-Time-Computation.md - title: Ccp trial new jnov path: references/ca-statutes-debt/CCP-Trial-New-JNOV.md - title: Ccp unlawful detainer path: references/ca-statutes-debt/CCP-Unlawful-Detainer.md - title: Ccp writs path: references/ca-statutes-debt/CCP-Writs.md - title: Civcode atty fees path: references/ca-statutes-debt/CivCode-Atty-Fees.md - title: Civcode clra path: references/ca-statutes-debt/CivCode-CLRA.md - title: Civcode contracts path: references/ca-statutes-debt/CivCode-Contracts.md - title: Civcode damages path: references/ca-statutes-debt/CivCode-Damages.md - title: Civcode fdbpa path: references/ca-statutes-debt/CivCode-FDBPA.md - title: Civcode rosenthal path: references/ca-statutes-debt/CivCode-Rosenthal.md - title: Civcode song beverly path: references/ca-statutes-debt/CivCode-Song-Beverly.md - title: Commcode art 2 sales path: references/ca-statutes-debt/CommCode-Art-2-Sales.md - title: Commcode art 3 negotiable path: references/ca-statutes-debt/CommCode-Art-3-Negotiable.md - title: Commcode art 9 secured path: references/ca-statutes-debt/CommCode-Art-9-Secured.md - title: Evidcode key path: references/ca-statutes-debt/EvidCode-Key.md - title: Famcode custody path: references/ca-statutes-debt/FamCode-Custody.md - title: Famcode dissolution path: references/ca-statutes-debt/FamCode-Dissolution.md - title: Famcode property path: references/ca-statutes-debt/FamCode-Property.md - title: Famcode support path: references/ca-statutes-debt/FamCode-Support.md - title: Fincode cdcla path: references/ca-statutes-debt/FinCode-CDCLA.md - title: Labcode wages path: references/ca-statutes-debt/LabCode-Wages.md - title: Probcode basics path: references/ca-statutes-debt/ProbCode-Basics.md - title: Readme path: references/ca-statutes-debt/README.md - title: Citation format path: references/citation-format.md - title: Civil rules path: references/civil-rules.md - title: Ccp procedure survey path: references/court-rules/CCP-Procedure-Survey.md - title: Cec evidence code path: references/court-rules/CEC-Evidence-Code.md - title: Crc title 1 general rules path: references/court-rules/CRC-Title-1-General-Rules.md - title: Crc title 10 judicial admin path: references/court-rules/CRC-Title-10-Judicial-Admin.md - title: Crc title 2 trial court rules path: references/court-rules/CRC-Title-2-Trial-Court-Rules.md - title: Crc title 3 civil rules path: references/court-rules/CRC-Title-3-Civil-Rules.md - title: Crc title 4 criminal rules path: references/court-rules/CRC-Title-4-Criminal-Rules.md - title: Crc title 5 family law rules path: references/court-rules/CRC-Title-5-Family-Law-Rules.md - title: Crc title 7 probate rules path: references/court-rules/CRC-Title-7-Probate-Rules.md - title: Crc title 8 appellate rules path: references/court-rules/CRC-Title-8-Appellate-Rules.md - title: Crc title 9 attorney rules path: references/court-rules/CRC-Title-9-Attorney-Rules.md - title: Lasc local rules path: references/court-rules/LASC-Local-Rules.md - title: Ocsc local rules path: references/court-rules/OCSC-Local-Rules.md - title: Other county local rules path: references/court-rules/Other-County-Local-Rules.md - title: Readme path: references/court-rules/README.md - title: Rules of professional conduct path: references/court-rules/Rules-of-Professional-Conduct.md - title: Sfsc local rules path: references/court-rules/SFSC-Local-Rules.md - title: Evidence rules path: references/evidence-rules.md - title: Fees and costs path: references/fees-and-costs.md - title: Key cases path: references/key-cases.md - title: Legal data apis path: references/legal-data-apis.md - title: Local rules path: references/local-rules.md - title: Online sources path: references/online-sources.md --- # California Law References — General Civil Practice This skill is a matter-neutral reference index — a pointer to the statutes, rules, and doctrines most often invoked in California civil practice *across any subject matter*. The body below summarizes each source. Detailed sections, elements, and citation examples live in `references/`. > **NOT LEGAL ADVICE.** These notes are drafting aids, not legal > advice. Every citation should be verified against the current > CCP, current court rule, or current case law before it goes > into a filing. Use `ca-fact-check` before any packet is filed. ## How to use this skill Ask: *what is the user trying to establish procedurally?* - **A procedural motion** (demurrer, motion to strike, motion to compel, summary judgment, default, vacate) → start with `references/civil-rules.md` - **An evidentiary objection** (hearsay, authentication, best evidence, foundation, privilege) → start with `references/evidence-rules.md` - **A fee-and-cost request or objection** → start with `references/fees-and-costs.md` - **A local-rule question** (LASC, SFSC, OCSC, or other Superior Court local rules) → start with `references/local-rules.md` - **Citation format** → `references/citation-format.md` - **Canonical URL or citation verification** → start with `references/online-sources.md` and hand off to `ca-fact-check` for per-filing verification - **Programmatic / structured lookup** (California codes XML, USC XML, eCFR API, CourtListener for cite-checking, bulk extraction, change detection) → `references/legal-data-apis.md`. Prefer the APIs listed there over HTML scraping when the result will be parsed - **A general civil case** (SJ standard, lodestar, default vacation, collateral source) → start with `references/key-cases.md` - **Subject-matter law** (FDCPA, Rosenthal Act, UCL, CLRA, FDBPA, landlord-tenant, family, PI) → use the relevant subject-matter skill (e.g., `ca-consumer-debt` for debt collection) ## California civil rules California civil practice draws on **three overlapping rule sets**: 1. **California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP)** — the primary procedural statute; covers pleadings, service, motions, discovery, trial, judgment, and post-judgment. Enacted by the Legislature; codified at Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §§ 307–1062. 2. **California Rules of Court (CRC)** — promulgated by the Judicial Council under Cal. Const. art. VI, § 6. CRC Title 2 covers trial court rules; CRC Title 3 covers civil rules in detail. CRC governs format (CRC 2.100-2.119), case management (CRC 3.700-3.770), and motion practice (CRC 3.1100-3.1390). 3. **Local rules** — each Superior Court adopts local rules under CRC 3.20, limited to matters not covered by the CRC. Los Angeles Superior Court (LASC), San Francisco Superior Court (SFSC), and Orange County Superior Court (OCSC) have the most extensive local rule sets. Key CCP provisions at a glance: - **CCP § 412.20** — Service of summons; required contents - **CCP § 413.10** — Manner of service; personal, substituted, mail (with notice and acknowledgment) - **CCP § 415.20** — Substituted service (dwelling, office) - **CCP § 417.10** — Proof of service; date service complete - **CCP § 430.10** — Grounds for demurrer to complaint - **CCP § 430.30** — Timing for demurrer - **CCP § 431.30** — Contents of answer; general / specific denial; affirmative defenses - **CCP § 435** — Motion to strike (improper matter or matter not drawn in conformity with law) - **CCP § 437c** — Summary judgment/adjudication (the keystone provision for pre-trial dispositive motions) - **CCP §§ 1010-1020** — Notices and motions (general) - **CCP §§ 2016.010-2036.050** — Civil Discovery Act of 1986 (interrogatories, depositions, document production, RFAs, physical/mental examinations, experts) - **CCP §§ 583.110-583.430** — Time to bring an action to trial (mandatory/discretionary dismissal for delay) - **CCP §§ 664-681** — Judgments; entry, renewal, enforcement - **CCP §§ 683.010-708.320** — Enforcement of judgments See `references/civil-rules.md` for provision-by-provision coverage. ## California Evidence Code (CEC) The CEC is codified in **Cal. Evid. Code §§ 1-1605** and enacted by the Legislature (unlike the Federal Rules of Evidence, which are court rules). Key provisions for civil practice: - **Cal. Evid. Code § 350** — Relevance - **Cal. Evid. Code § 352** — Exclusion for prejudice / confusion - **Cal. Evid. Code §§ 900-1070** — Privileges (attorney-client, physician-patient, psychotherapist, spousal, trade secret, etc.) - **Cal. Evid. Code §§ 1200-1390** — Hearsay; key exceptions: - **§ 1220** — Party admission - **§ 1271** — Business records (records made in the regular course of business by persons with knowledge) - **§ 1280** — Official records / public records - **§ 1310** — Statement by decedent - **§ 1370** — Threat statement - **Cal. Evid. Code §§ 1400-1454** — Authentication and identification; **§ 1421** — authentication by content - **Cal. Evid. Code §§ 1500-1567** — Secondary evidence rule (California's analog to the best-evidence rule) **Important CEC/FRE distinctions**: California enumerates hearsay exceptions in detail; there is no FRE 807-style residual exception. The CEC § 1271 business-records foundation mirrors FRE 803(6) closely but differs in exact language. California privileges (§§ 900-1070) are broader and more numerous than federal common-law privilege doctrine. See `references/evidence-rules.md` for rule-by-rule coverage and the business-records / authentication patterns most common in civil practice. ## Fees and costs California follows the **American Rule** as its baseline: each party bears its own attorney fees absent statute, contract, or other legal authority. *Trope v. Katz* (1995) 11 Cal.4th 274, 278. Key cost-recovery provisions: - **CCP § 1032** — Prevailing party is entitled to costs as a matter of right in most civil actions; "prevailing party" defined broadly to include judgment creditors and parties whose claims or defenses are dismissed with prejudice - **CCP § 1033.5** — Allowable items: filing fees, service costs, deposition costs, jury fees, witness fees (incl. expert witness fees where court-ordered), interpreter fees, models, blowups. Not allowable: ordinary photocopying, postage, attorney travel, consultant fees - **Civ. Code § 1717** — Reciprocal fee-shifting in contract actions: when a contract provides attorney fees to one side, the prevailing party on either side recovers under the clause - **CCP § 1021.5** — Private attorney general fees: available when the action enforces an important right affecting the public interest, a significant benefit accrues to the public or class, and the necessity and financial burden of private enforcement make a fee award appropriate - **CCP § 998** — Offer to compromise: if a plaintiff rejects a defendant's § 998 offer and fails to obtain a more favorable judgment, the plaintiff must pay post-offer costs including expert witness fees; reciprocal if defendant rejects plaintiff's offer See `references/fees-and-costs.md` for full coverage, the lodestar method, CCP § 1033.5 allowable-costs detail, and sample memorandum of costs language. ## Local rules Each California Superior Court adopts its own local rules within the limits set by CRC 3.20. Rules address case assignment, trial management, ex parte applications, discovery motions, and ADR. - **LASC** (Los Angeles Superior Court) — the largest trial court in the nation; LASC Local Rules govern via lacourt.org - **SFSC** (San Francisco Superior Court) — sfsuperiorcourt.org; Presiding Department for civil case management - **OCSC** (Orange County Superior Court) — occourts.org; complex litigation department - **Other populous counties** — San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Sacramento, Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, etc. See `references/local-rules.md` for the high-volume courts, local rule structure, and motions calendaring mechanics. ## Citation format California uses the **California Style Manual** (CSM), published by the Judicial Council. California citations diverge from Bluebook in notation, comma placement, and statute format: **Case**: *Aguilar v. Atlantic Richfield Co.* (2001) 25 Cal.4th 826 **Statute**: Code Civ. Proc., § 437c (note the comma and the §) **Rule**: Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.1308 **Unpublished opinions** are generally not citable under CRC 8.1115. See `references/citation-format.md` for complete patterns, parallel cites, short forms, and comparison to Bluebook. ## Canonical online sources `references/online-sources.md` is the AI-agent-friendly catalog of canonical URLs for: - California court rules (CRC, local rules) — courts.ca.gov - California Codes (CCP, CEC, Civ. Code, etc.) — leginfo.legislature.ca.gov - Case opinions — courts.ca.gov/opinions - Judicial Council forms — courts.ca.gov/forms - eCFR (for federal regulations) - Cornell LII (for U.S.C. sections) - CourtListener and Google Scholar (for case law) - LASC, SFSC, OCSC county court websites The catalog is the **only approved fetch source** for verification work. Per the plugin's safety policy, **WebFetch is the only mechanism used** — no curl, wget, Python requests, or other bypasses are permitted. See `ca-fact-check` for the per-filing verification workflow. ## Key general-civil cases `references/key-cases.md` catalogs the general-civil cases this plugin relies on most: - **SJ standard**: *Aguilar v. Atlantic Richfield Co.* (2001) 25 Cal.4th 826 (burden-shifting framework for summary judgment under CCP § 437c) - **Collateral source rule**: *Howell v. Hamilton Meats & Provisions* (2011) 52 Cal.4th 541 (injured plaintiff recovers only amounts actually billed and paid, not full reasonable value) - **FEHA**: *Reid v. Google, Inc.* (2010) 50 Cal.4th 512 (stray-remarks doctrine in employment discrimination) - **Parol evidence**: *Riverisland Cold Storage, Inc. v. Fresno-Madera Production Credit Assn.* (2013) 55 Cal.4th 1169 (fraud exception to parol evidence rule) - **Premises liability**: *Wiener v. Southcoast Childcare Centers, Inc.* (2004) 32 Cal.4th 1138 (duty of care; foreseeability) **Subject-matter cases** — FDCPA, Rosenthal Act, UCL, CLRA, business-records foundation in debt cases, chain-of-title — live alongside their subject-matter bundle (e.g., `ca-consumer-debt/references/key-cases.md`). ## Notes - These references are neutral summaries. They do not tell the user whether they win or lose. - Always **verify** a case before citing — California case law has evolved on several doctrines (SJ burden, collateral source, business-records foundation, § 998 offers). - For federal law, check the most recent Ninth Circuit opinion where controlling in federal court; California state courts treat Ninth Circuit federal-statute interpretations as persuasive. - **Before filing**, run `ca-fact-check` against the packet to catch fabricated, misquoted, or superseded citations. **NOT LEGAL ADVICE.** Generated content is a drafting aid; verify against current rules and case law before filing.