§ 18250 Unincorporated Association Liability

Corporations Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

This law says that a group that isn’t a corporation can be held responsible for what it does or what its leaders and workers do, just like a real person would be.

Key Takeaways

•An unincorporated group can be sued like a person.
•The group is responsible for its own actions and for actions of its directors, officers, agents, or employees if they act within their job.
•Other laws can change this rule, but otherwise it applies.

Example

A local community garden hires a contractor to build a fence, and the contractor accidentally damages a neighbor’s car.

Because the garden is an unincorporated association, the neighbor can sue the garden itself for the damage, just as if the garden were a person.

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

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 18250 Unincorporated Association Liability

Except as otherwise provided by law, an unincorporated association is liable for its act or omission and for the act or omission of its director, officer, agent, or employee, acting within the scope of the office, agency, or employment, to the same extent as if the association were a natural person. (Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 178, Sec. 10. Effective January 1, 2005.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

unincorporated association liable director officer agent employee scope of the office agency employment natural person

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Corporations Code. Section 18250.

§ 18250 Unincorporated Association Liability

Corporations Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

§ 18250 Unincorporated Association Liability

This law says that a group that isn’t a corporation can be held responsible for what it does or what its leaders and workers do, just like a real person would be.

Key Takeaways

•An unincorporated group can be sued like a person.
•The group is responsible for its own actions and for actions of its directors, officers, agents, or employees if they act within their job.
•Other laws can change this rule, but otherwise it applies.

Example

A local community garden hires a contractor to build a fence, and the contractor accidentally damages a neighbor’s car.

Because the garden is an unincorporated association, the neighbor can sue the garden itself for the damage, just as if the garden were a person.

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

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 18250 Unincorporated Association Liability

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

unincorporated association liable director officer agent employee scope of the office agency employment natural person

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Corporations Code. Section 18250.

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References