1The topic of this issue of the newsletter is the filing of a motion for change of venue in California.

The term venue means the court location where a case is heard. In California a defendant has the right to have any trial heard in the county of their residence, unless there is some express statutory justification for an exception such as a personal injury case where the defendant is alleged to have caused a vehicle accident in another county. A defendant wishing to have venue changed to the county of their residence must file a motion for change of venue at or before filing an answer or other response. Otherwise they may be deemed to have waived any objection to the venue of the case. Because the law favors the right of trial at the defendant's residence, any complaint filed in another county other than the county where the defendant lives will be strictly construed against a plaintiff seeking to lay the venue elsewhere. A Plaintiffs right to trial in some county other than that of a defendant's residence is an exception to the general rule and requires express statutory justification. See Brown v. Superior Court (1984) 37 Cal.3d 477, 483. Because the law favors the right of trial at the defendant's residence, the complaint will be strictly construed against a plaintiff seeking to lay the venue elsewhere See Gallin v. Superior Court (1991) 230 Cal.App.3d 541, 544. Code of Civil Procedure 395(a) states in pertinent part that, Except as otherwise provided by law and subject to the power of the court to transfer actions or proceedings as provided in this title, the county in which the defendants or some of them reside at the commencement of the action is the proper county for the trial of the action. And where several causes of action are alleged in a complaint, a motion for change of venue must be granted on all, if a defendant is entitled to change on any one cause of action. A fraud action must be tried in the county of defendants residence. It is true that an action in fraud is transitory and is triable in the county of defendant's residence. It has also been held that where several causes of action are alleged in a complaint, a motion for a change of venue must be granted on all, if defendant is entitled to a change on any one. See Quick v. Corsaro (1960) 180 Cal.App. 2d 831, 834-835 (internal citations omitted). Code of Civil Procedure 396 states in pertinent part: If an action or proceeding is commenced in or transferred to a court which has jurisdiction of the subject matter thereof as determined by the complaint or petition, and it thereafter appears from the verified pleadings, or at the trial, or hearing, that the determination of the action or proceeding, or of a cross-complaint, will necessarily involve the determination of questions not within jurisdiction of the court, in which the action or proceeding is pending, the court, whenever such lack of jurisdiction appears, must suspend all further proceedings therein and transfer the action or proceeding and certify the pleadings, and all papers and proceedings therein to a court having jurisdiction thereof which may be agreed upon by the parties, or if they do not agree, to a court

having such jurisdiction which is designated by law as a proper court for the trial or determination thereof.. Upon the making of an order for transfer, proceedings shall be had as provided in Section 399 of this code, the costs and fees thereof, and of filing the case in the court to which transferred, to be paid by the party filing the pleading in which the question outside the jurisdiction of the court appears unless the court ordering the transfer shall otherwise direct. And if the plaintiff did in fact file in the wrong county, the defendant has the right to have the plaintiff pay all of their expenses, including court costs and attorney fees before any transfer is made. And if the fees are not paid within 30 days of service of notice of the transfer order, the defendant may make a motion for dismissal of the case without prejudice. Code of Civil Procedure 399 states in pertinent part: When the transfer is sought solely, or is ordered, because the action or proceeding was commenced in a court other than that designated as proper by this title, such costs and fees (including any expenses and attorney's fees awarded defendant pursuant to Section 396b) shall be paid by the plaintiff before such transfer is made. As stated previously the right of a defendant to have any trial heard in the county of their residence is very strong and any exception to that rule will be strictly construed against a plaintiff. And if the plaintiff is represented by an attorney, the Court will order that the attorney for the plaintiff be the one to pay any expenses and attorney fees before any such transfer is made. If you enjoy this newsletter, tell others about it. They can subscribe by visiting the following link: http://www.legaldocspro.net/newsletter.htm Have a great week and thanks for being a subscriber. Yours Truly, Stan Burman The author of this newsletter, Stan Burman, is a freelance paralegal who has worked in California litigation since 1995. The author's website: http://www.legaldocspro.net View numerous sample document sold by the author: http://www.scribd.com/legaldocspro Copyright 2012 Stan Burman. All rights reserved.

DISCLAIMER: Please note that the author of this newsletter, Stan Burman is NOT an attorney and as such is unable to provide any specific legal advice. The author is NOT engaged in providing any legal,

financial, or other professional services, and any information contained in this newsletter is NOT intended to constitute legal advice. These materials and information contained in this newsletter have been prepared by Stan Burman for informational purposes only and are not legal advice. Transmission of the information contained in this newsletter is not intended to create, and receipt does not constitute, any business relationship between the sender and receiver. Subscribers and any other readers should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel.