An action is an ordinary proceeding in a court of justice by which one party prosecutes another for the declaration, enforcement, or protection of a right, the redress or prevention of a wrong, or the punishment of a public offense.
§ 22.Action defined
Preliminary Provisions · Last amended 1933 · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 22 defines an “action” as an ordinary court proceeding by which one party prosecutes another to establish, enforce, or protect a right, to redress or prevent a wrong, or to punish a public offense.
Full Text of § 22
Plain-English Summary
Section 22 defines the first of the two classes Section 21 created. An action is the ordinary form of judicial remedy: one party goes to court against another, seeking to declare, enforce, or protect a right, to redress or head off a wrong, or to punish a public offense.
That last purpose — punishing a public offense — is what lets the definition of “action” cover both civil and criminal cases; Section 30’s narrower definition of “civil action” drops it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an “action” under the California Code of Civil Procedure?
Section 22 defines it as an ordinary court proceeding by which one party prosecutes another for the declaration, enforcement, or protection of a right, the redress or prevention of a wrong, or the punishment of a public offense.
Does “action” include criminal prosecutions?
Yes — Section 22’s definition covers punishing a public offense, which is why it’s broader than Section 30’s definition of “civil action” specifically.
Amendment History
Enacted 1872. Amended Stats 1933 ch 742 § 2.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 28, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: definition of action California civil procedureCCP section 22