California Code of Civil Procedure

§ 632

CCP § 632 Effective Jan 1, 2026Title 8 · Part 2 · Ch. 5

Statute text

(a)In superior courts, upon the trial of a question of fact by the court, written findings of fact and conclusions of law shall not be required. The court shall issue a statement of decision explaining the factual and legal basis for its decision as to each of the principal controverted issues at trial upon the request of any party appearing at the trial. The request must be made in writing, or orally if there is an official record of the proceeding being transcribed, prior to the submission of the matter for decision. The request for a statement of decision shall specify those controverted issues as to which the party is requesting a statement of decision.

(b)The statement of decision shall be in writing, unless the parties appearing at trial agree otherwise. The written statement of decision shall be served on all parties who appeared at trial. However, when the trial is concluded within one calendar day or in less than eight hours over more than one day, the statement of decision may be made orally on the record in the presence of the parties. The statement of decision need not summarize all evidence admitted at trial.

(c)If a statement of decision is not timely requested under subdivision (a), the court may announce its ruling on all relief sought without a statement of decision. Alternatively, the court may, in its sole discretion, issue a statement of decision even though one has not been requested.

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Legislative history

Repealed (in Sec. 1) and added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 559, Sec. 2. (AB 515) Effective January 1, 2026. Operative January 1, 2027, by its own provisions.