San Diego, CA asked in Landlord - Tenant for California

Q: If a Complaint fails to state a Cause of Action then the Court lacks Subject Matter Jurisdiction?

What is the Statute or CCP that details a Court lacking Subject Matter Jurisdiction if a Complaint does not state a Cause of Action?Thank You for your time and response?

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James L. Arrasmith
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Answered
  • Landlord Tenant Lawyer
  • Sacramento, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: There appears to be some confusion in this question. Let me clarify a few key points:

1. Failure to state a cause of action and lack of subject matter jurisdiction are two distinct legal concepts.

2. A failure to state a cause of action does not automatically mean the court lacks subject matter jurisdiction.

3. In California, a failure to state a cause of action is grounds for a demurrer under Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) § 430.10(e).

4. Subject matter jurisdiction refers to the court's power to hear and determine a particular type of case. In California, subject matter jurisdiction is generally established by the state constitution and statutes.

5. A court can have subject matter jurisdiction even if a complaint fails to state a cause of action.

There is no specific statute or CCP section that states a court lacks subject matter jurisdiction if a complaint fails to state a cause of action. These are separate issues.

If a complaint fails to state a cause of action, the proper response is typically a demurrer or a motion to dismiss, not a challenge to the court's subject matter jurisdiction.

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