ARTICLE 2. Interpretation [1297.20. - 1297.24.]

Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP 2.

in effect

Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 1297.20. Section 1297.20.

(a) In the application of this title, regard is to be had to its international origin and to the need to promote uniformity in its application and the observance of good faith. (b) Questions concerning matters governed by this title that are not expressly settled in it are to be settled in conformity with the general principles embodied in this title.

Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 1297.21. Section 1297.21.

For the purposes of this title: (a) “Arbitral award” means any decision of the arbitral tribunal on the substance of the dispute submitted to it and includes an interim, interlocutory, or partial arbitral award. (b) “Arbitral tribunal” means a sole arbitrator or a panel of arbitrators. (c) “Arbitration” means any arbitration whether or not administered by a permanent arbitral institution. (d) “Conciliation” means any conciliation whether or not administered by a permanent conciliation institution. (e) “Chief Justice” means the Chief Justice of California or his or her designee. (f) “Court” means a body or an organ of the judicial system of a state. (g) “Party” means a party to an arbitration or conciliation agreement. (h) “Superior court” means the superior court in the county in this state selected pursuant to Section 1297.61. (i) “Supreme Court” means the Supreme Court of California.

Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 1297.22. Section 1297.22.

Where a provision of this title, except Article 1 (commencing with Section 1297.281) of Chapter 6, leaves the parties free to determine a certain issue, such freedom includes the right of the parties to authorize a third party, including an institution, to make that determination.

Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 1297.23. Section 1297.23.

Where a provision of this title refers to the fact that the parties have agreed or that they may agree, or in any other way refers to an agreement of the parties, such agreement shall be deemed to include any arbitration or conciliation rules referred to in that agreement.

Cal. Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 1297.24. Section 1297.24.

Where this title, other than Article 8 (commencing with Section 1297. 251) of Chapter 5, Article 5 (commencing with Section 1297.321) of Chapter 6, or subdivision (a) of Section 1297.322, refers to a claim, it also applies to a counterclaim, and where it refers to a defense, it also applies to a defense to that counterclaim.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026