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HomeCivil CodeDiv. 4Pt. 5Ch. 10Art. 3§ 5950 Enforcement Action Dispute Certification

§ 5950 Enforcement Action Dispute Certification

Civil Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 5950 Enforcement Action Dispute Certification

Key Takeaways

  • •Before suing someone, you must try to solve the problem in a simpler way first, like talking it out with a mediator.
  • •If the other person refuses to try solving it simply, you can then go to court.
  • •If you need urgent help from the court (like stopping someone from doing something harmful right away), you can skip the simple steps.
  • •If you don’t follow these rules, the court might throw out your case unless it would be really unfair to you.

Example

Your neighbor’s tree falls on your fence, and they refuse to pay for the damage.

Before suing your neighbor, you must try to solve the problem with a mediator. If your neighbor refuses to talk it out, you can then take them to court. If you don’t try to solve it simply first, the court might dismiss your case.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 5950 Enforcement Action Dispute Certification

(a) At the time of commencement of an enforcement action, the party commencing the action shall file with the initial pleading a certificate stating that one or more of the following conditions are satisfied: (1) Alternative dispute resolution has been completed in compliance with this article. (2) One of the other parties to the dispute did not accept the terms offered for alternative dispute resolution. (3) Preliminary or temporary injunctive relief is necessary. (b) Failure to file a certificate pursuant to subdivision (a) is grounds for a demurrer or a motion to strike unless the court finds that dismissal of the action for failure to comply with this article would result in substantial prejudice to one of the parties. (Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 180, Sec. 2. (AB 805) Effective January 1, 2013. Operative January 1, 2014, by Sec. 3 of Ch. 180.)

Last verified: January 21, 2026

Key Terms

enforcement actioncertificatealternative dispute resolutionpreliminary or temporary injunctive reliefdemurrermotion to strikesubstantial prejudice

Related Statutes

  • § 5930 Mandatory Dispute Resolution Before Suit
  • § 5945 Tolling Enforcement Time Limits
  • § 5955 Enforcement Dispute Resolution Stays
  • § 5960 Dispute Resolution Fee Consideration
  • § 5935 Dispute Resolution Request Process

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Civil Code. Section 5950.
View Official Source