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Title 1: Organization and Jurisdiction | Chapter 5.5: Small Claims Court | Article 5: Hearing

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 4: Parties Next → Part 1: Of Courts of Justice | Title 1: Organization and Jurisdiction | Chapter 5.5: Small Claims Court | Article 6: Judgment

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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
§ 116.510 The hearing and disposition of the small claims action shall be informal, the object being to dispense justice promptly, fairly, and inexpensively. § 116.520 (a) The parties have the right to offer evidence by witnesses at the hearing or, with the permission of the court, at another time. § 116.530 (a) Except as permitted by this section, no attorney may take part in the conduct or defense of a small claims action. § 116.531 Nothing in this article shall prevent a representative of an insurer or other expert in the matter before the small claims court from rendering assist… § 116.540 (a) Except as permitted by this section, no individual other than the plaintiff and the defendant may take part in the conduct or defense of a small c… § 116.541 (a) Notwithstanding Section 116. § 116.560 (a) Whenever a claim that is filed against a person operating or doing business under a fictitious business name relates to the defendant’s business, … § 116.570 (a) Any party may submit a written request to postpone a hearing date for good cause.