Pleadings in Civil Actions Generally

Part 2, Title 6, Chapter 1 of the Code of Civil Procedure deals with pleadings in general. Section 420 provides that the pleadings are the formal allegations by the parties of their respective claims and defenses, for the judgment of the Court.

Section 421 states that the forms of pleading in civil actions, and the rules by which the sufficiency of the pleadings is to be determined, are those prescribed in this Code. Section 422.10 authorizes the pleadings in civil actions are complaints, demurrers, answers, and cross-complaints.

Section 422.30 requires every pleadings to contain a caption setting forth two specified items. In a limited civil case, the caption must state that the case is a limited civil case, and the clerk shall classify the case accordingly.

Section 422.40 states requires in the complaint that the title of the action include the names of all the parties; but, in other pleadings it is sufficient to state the name of the first party on each side with an appropriate indication of other parties.