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HomeCorporations CodeCh. 16§ 1603 Corporate Records Inspection Enforcement

§ 1603 Corporate Records Inspection Enforcement

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

§ 1603 Corporate Records Inspection Enforcement

This law lets a court force a corporation to let inspectors look at its books and records if the corporation refuses, and makes the corporation’s officers hand over those records.

Key Takeaways

  • •The court can order an inspection of a corporation’s records if the corporation refuses a lawful request.
  • •All corporate officers must hand over any books or documents they control, or they can be held in contempt of court.
  • •The person who asked for the inspection usually pays the costs, unless the court says the corporation must pay or share the costs.

Example

A state agency asks a company to let auditors examine its financial records, but the company says no.

The court can order the company to allow the auditors in, require the company’s officers to give up all the books they have, and tell the auditors how to report what they find.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 1603 Corporate Records Inspection Enforcement

(a) Upon refusal of a lawful demand for inspection, the superior court of the proper county, may enforce the right of inspection with just and proper conditions or may, for good cause shown, appoint one or more competent inspectors or accountants to audit the books and records kept in this state and investigate the property, funds and affairs of any domestic corporation or any foreign corporation keeping records in this state 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. (Amended by Stats. 1976, Ch. 641.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

lawful demand for inspectionsuperior courtinspectors or accountantscontempt of courtexpenses of the investigation

Related Statutes

  • § 6336 Corporate Inspection Enforcement
  • § 9514 Corporate Inspection Enforcement
  • § 12634 Corporate Winding Up Oversight
  • § 6614 Corporate Winding Up Oversight
  • § 8614 Corporate Winding Up Oversight

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Corporations Code. Section 1603.
View Official Source