Terms Used In California Codes > Health and Safety Code > Division 24 > Part 6 > Chapter 4 - Complaint Resolution

• Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
• Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
• Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
• Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
• Financial institution: includes any bank, savings and loan association, or other institution in this state, including a public agency, that regularly makes, arranges, or purchases loans for the purchase, construction, rehabilitation, improvement, or refinancing of housing accommodations. See California Health and Safety Code 35805
• Housing accommodation: includes any improved or unimproved real property, or portion thereof, that (1) is used or is intended to be used as a residence, and (2) is or will be occupied by the owner, and (3) contains not more than four dwelling units. See California Health and Safety Code 35805
• Pleadings: Written statements of the parties in a civil case of their positions. In the federal courts, the principal pleadings are the complaint and the answer.
• Secretary: means the Secretary of Business, Consumer Services and Housing. See California Health and Safety Code 35805
• Writ: A formal written command, issued from the court, requiring the performance of a specific act.