CCP 421     

TITLE II

ACTIONS

CHAPTER 1.  GENERAL DISPOSITIONS

Art. 421.  Civil action; commencement; amicable demand unnecessary

A civil action is a demand for the enforcement of a legal right.  It is commenced by the filing of a pleading presenting the demand to a court of competent jurisdiction.  Amicable demand is not a condition precedent to a civil action, unless specifically required by law.