ARTICLE 4. Pleadings [1250.310. - 1250.345.]

Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP 4.

in effect

Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 1250.310. Section 1250.310.

The complaint shall contain all of the following: (a) The names of all plaintiffs and defendants. (b) A description of the property sought to be taken. The description may, but is not required to, indicate the nature or extent of the interest of the defendant in the property. (c) If the plaintiff claims an interest in the property sought to be taken, the nature and extent of such interest. (d) A statement of the right of the plaintiff to take by eminent domain the property described in the complaint. The statement shall include: (1) A general statement of the public use for which the property is to be taken. (2) An allegation of the necessity for the taking as required by Section 1240.030; where the plaintiff is a public entity, a reference to its resolution of necessity; where the plaintiff is a quasi-public entity within the meaning of Section 1245.320, a reference to the resolution adopted pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 1245.310) of Chapter 4; where the plaintiff is a nonprofit hospital, a reference to the certificate required by Section 1260 of the Health and Safety Code; where the plaintiff is a public utility and relies on a certification of the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission or a requirement of that commission that development rights be acquired, a reference to such certification or requirement. (3) A reference to the statute that authorizes the plaintiff to acquire the property by eminent domain. Specification of the statutory authority may be in the alternative and may be inconsistent. (e) A map or diagram portraying as far as practicable the property described in the complaint and showing its location in relation to the project for which it is to be taken.

Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 1250.320. Section 1250.320.

(a) The answer shall include a statement of the nature and extent of the interest the defendant claims in the property described in the complaint. (b) If the defendant seeks compensation provided in Article 6 (commencing with Section 1263.510) (goodwill) of Chapter 9, the answer shall include a statement that the defendant claims compensation under Section 1263.510, but the answer need not specify the amount of that compensation. (c) If the defendant seeks compensation as provided in Article 1 (commencing with Section 1245.010) of Chapter 4, the answer shall include a statement that the defendant claims compensation under Section 1245.060, but need not specify the amount of that compensation. (d) If the defendant seeks compensation for losses caused by the plaintiff’s unreasonable conduct prior to commencing the eminent domain proceeding, the answer shall include a statement that the defendant claims compensation for that loss, but need not specify the amount of the compensation.

Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 1250.325. Section 1250.325.

(a) A defendant may file a disclaimer at any time, whether or not he is in default, and the disclaimer supersedes an answer previously filed by the defendant. The disclaimer need not be in any particular form. It shall contain a statement that the defendant claims no interest in the property or in the compensation that may be awarded. Notwithstanding Section 1250.330, the disclaimer shall be signed by the defendant. (b) Subject to subdivision (c), a defendant who has filed a disclaimer has no right to participate in further proceedings or to share in the compensation awarded. (c) The court may implement the disclaimer by appropriate orders including, where justified, awarding costs and litigation expenses.

Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 1250.330. Section 1250.330.

Where a party is represented by an attorney, his pleading need not be verified but shall be signed by the attorney for the party. The signature of the attorney constitutes a certificate by him that he has read the pleading and that to the best of his knowledge, information, and belief there is ground to support it. If the pleading is not signed or is signed with intent to defeat the purposes of this section, it may be stricken.

Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 1250.340. Section 1250.340.

(a) Subject to subdivisions (b) and (c), the court may allow upon such terms and conditions as may be just an amendment or supplement to any pleading. In the case of an amendment or supplement to the complaint, such terms and conditions may include a change in the applicable date of valuation for the proceeding and an award of costs and litigation expenses which would not have been incurred had the proceeding as originally commenced been the same as the proceeding following such amendment or supplement. (b) A public entity may add to the property sought to be taken only if it has adopted a resolution of necessity that satisfies the requirements of Article 2 (commencing with Section 1245.210) of Chapter 4 for the property to be added. (c) Property previously sought to be taken may be deleted from the complaint only if the plaintiff has followed the procedure for partial abandonment of the proceeding as to that property.

Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 1250.345. Section 1250.345.

Subject to the power of the court to permit an amendment of the answer, if the defendant fails to object to the complaint, either by demurrer or answer, he is deemed to have waived the objection.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026