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HomeCorporations CodeCh. 13Art. 3§ 12606 Court-Ordered Corporate Inspection

§ 12606 Court-Ordered Corporate Inspection

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

§ 12606 Court-Ordered Corporate Inspection

This law lets a court force a company to let inspectors look at its books and records, and it can also appoint auditors to check the company's finances.

Key Takeaways

  • •A court can order inspection or appoint an auditor when a lawful request is refused.
  • •Company officers must hand over all books and documents or risk being held in contempt.
  • •The person requesting the inspection usually pays the costs unless the court decides the company should share them.

Example

A shareholder asks to see a corporation's financial records, but the company refuses.

The court can order the company to let the shareholder inspect the records or can appoint an independent auditor to review them.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 12606 Court-Ordered Corporate Inspection

(a) Upon refusal of a lawful demand for inspection under this chapter, or a lawful demand pursuant to Section 12600 or Section 12603, the superior court of the proper county, or the county where the books or records in question are kept, may enforce the demand or right of inspection with just and proper conditions or may, for good cause shown, appoint one or more competent inspectors or independent accountants to audit the financial statements kept in this state and investigate the property, funds and affairs of any corporation and of any subsidiary corporation thereof, domestic or foreign, keeping records in this state and to report thereon in such manner as the court may direct. (b) All officers and agents of the corporation shall produce to the inspectors or accountants so appointed all books and documents in their custody or power, under penalty of punishment for contempt of court. (c) All expenses of the investigation or audit shall be defrayed by the applicant unless the court orders them to be paid or shared by the corporation. (Added by Stats. 1982, Ch. 1625, Sec. 3. Operative January 1, 1984.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

lawful demandinspectionsuperior courtinspectorsauditfinancial statementscontempt of courtexpenses

Related Statutes

  • § 8336 Corporate Inspection Enforcement
  • § 6336 Corporate Inspection Enforcement
  • § 12581 Inspection Copying Rights
  • § 12593 Court Enforcement Of Member Rights
  • § 12600 Member Inspection Rights

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Corporations Code. Section 12606.
View Official Source