Chapter 1 - The Pleadings in General

California Code of Civil Procedure — §§ 420-422.40

Sections (5)

The pleadings are the formal allegations by the parties of their respective claims and defenses, for the judgment of the Court.

The forms of pleading in civil actions, and the rules by which the sufficiency of the pleadings is to be determined, are those prescribed in this Code.

Added by Stats. 1971, Ch. 244.

The pleadings allowed in civil actions are complaints, demurrers, answers, and cross-complaints.

Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 784, Sec. 60. Effective January 1, 2003.

(a)Every pleading shall contain a caption setting forth:
(1)The name of the court and county in which the action is brought.
(2)The title of the action.
(b)In a limited civil case, the caption shall state that the case is a limited civil case, and the clerk shall classify the case accordingly.

Added by Stats. 1971, Ch. 244.

In the complaint, the title of the action shall include the names of all the parties; but, except as otherwise provided by statute or rule of the Judicial Council, in other pleadings it is sufficient to state the name of the first party on each side with an appropriate indication of other parties.