Terms Used In California Codes > Public Utilities Code > Division 1.7 > Part 1 - General Provisions

• Allegation: something that someone says happened.
• Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
• Appellate: About appeals; an appellate court has the power to review the judgement of another lower court or tribunal.
• Assets: (1) The property comprising the estate of a deceased person, or (2) the property in a trust account.
• Bankruptcy: Refers to statutes and judicial proceedings involving persons or businesses that cannot pay their debts and seek the assistance of the court in getting a fresh start. Under the protection of the bankruptcy court, debtors may discharge their debts, perhaps by paying a portion of each debt. Bankruptcy judges preside over these proceedings.
• Commission: means the Public Utilities Commission created by §. See California Public Utilities Code 20
• County: includes city and county. See California Water Code 14
• county water district: means a county water district which has heretofore executed or shall hereafter execute a contract with the United States for any or all of the following purposes:

  California Water Code 23300

• Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
• District: as used in this part , means the Southern California Rapid Transit District. See California Public Utilities Code 30004
• districts: means one or more irrigation districts together with one or more county water districts. See California Water Code 23450
• Service of process: The service of writs or summonses to the appropriate party.
• State: means the State of California, unless applied to the different parts of the United States. See California Water Code 18
• State: means the State of California, unless applied to the different parts of the United States. See California Public Utilities Code 17
• Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.
• United States: means the United States of America, and in relation to any particular matter includes the officers, agents, employees, agencies, or instrumentalities authorized to act in relation thereto. See California Water Code 20
• Variable Rate: Having a "variable" rate means that the APR changes from time to time based on fluctuations in an external rate, normally the Prime Rate. This external rate is known as the "index." If the index changes, the variable rate normally changes. Also see Fixed Rate.
• willfully: when applied to the intent with which an act is done or omitted, implies simply a purpose or willingness to commit the act, or make the omission referred to. See California Penal Code 7