Skip to main content

Title 1: Organization and Jurisdiction | Chapter 5.5: Small Claims Court | Article 3: Actions

California Code of Civil Procedure – 2026

Back to Part Part 1: Of Courts of Justice ← Previous Part 1: Of Courts of Justice | Title 1: Organization and Jurisdiction | Chapter 5.5: Small Claims Court | Article 2: Small Claims Court Next → Part 1: Of Courts of Justice | Title 1: Organization and Jurisdiction | Chapter 5.5: Small Claims Court | Article 4: Parties

All Sections

Chapter 1: Courts of Justice in General Chapter 3: Supreme Court Chapter 4: Superior Courts Article 1: Jurisdiction in Limited Civil Cases Article 2: Economic Litigation for Limited Civil Cases Article 1: General Provisions Article 2: Small Claims Court Article 3: Actions Article 4: Parties Article 5: Hearing Article 6: Judgment Article 7: Motion to Vacate, Appeal, and Related Matters Article 8: Satisfaction and Enforcement of Judgment Article 9: Administration Article 1: Open Court Access Article 2: Incidental Powers and Duties of Courts Article 3: Judicial Holidays Article 4: Proceedings in Case of Absence of Judge Article 6: Seals of Courts Chapter 7: Special Immigrant Juvenile Findings Chapter 2: Powers of Judges at Chambers Chapter 3: Disqualifications of Judges Chapter 4: Incidental Powers and Duties of Judicial Officers Chapter 5: Miscellaneous Provisions Respecting Courts of Justice Chapter 1: Trial Jury Selection and Management Act Chapter 2: Court Commissioners Chapter 1: Of Ministerial Officers Generally Chapter 2: Levying Officer Electronic Transactions Act Chapter 3: Phonographic Reporters [269 - 274a] Chapter 1: Attorneys and Counselors at Law
§ 116.310 (a) No formal pleading, other than the claim described in Section 116.320 or 116.360, is necessary to initiate a small claims action. § 116.320 (a) A plaintiff may commence an action in the small claims court by filing a claim under oath with the clerk of the small claims court in person, by m… § 116.330 (a) When a claim is filed, the clerk shall schedule the case for hearing and shall issue an order directing the parties to appear at the time set for … § 116.340 (a) Service of the claim and order on the defendant may be made by any one of the following methods: (1) The clerk may cause a copy of the claim and o… § 116.360 (a) The defendant may file a claim against the plaintiff in the same action in an amount not to exceed the jurisdictional limits stated in Sections 11… § 116.370 (a) Venue and court location requirements in small claims actions shall be the same as in other civil actions. § 116.390 (a) If a defendant has a claim against a plaintiff that exceeds the jurisdictional limits stated in Sections 116.220, 116.221, and 116.