§ 32.5.“Jurisdictional classification”

Preliminary Provisions · Last amended 2002 · Last verified July 28, 2026

In one sentenceSection 32.5 defines “jurisdictional classification” as whether a case is classified as a limited civil case or an unlimited civil case.

Full Text of § 32.5

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The “jurisdictional classification” of a case means its classification as a limited civil case or an unlimited civil case.

Plain-English Summary

Section 32.5 defines a term that runs through several other code provisions: a case’s “jurisdictional classification” is which of two categories it falls into — a limited civil case or an unlimited civil case. Section 85 sets the conditions for treating a case as limited; Section 88 supplies the “unlimited civil case” label for everything else.

The definition was added in 1998 as part of unifying California’s municipal and superior courts into a single superior court in each county. Before unification, a case’s classification often tracked which court it belonged in; afterward, with one trial court handling both kinds of cases, the classification still controls things like discovery limits and appeal procedure even though it no longer determines which courthouse hears the case.

Official Comment

The following official comments are published by the California Law Revision Commission (and, for a few older sections, its predecessor Code Commissioners) alongside the statute itself — not commentary from this site.

1998 Law Revision Commission Comment. Section 32.5 is added to accommodate unification of the municipal and superior courts in a county. Cal. Const. art. VI, § 5(e). See Section 85 (limited civil cases) & Comment. The term is used in Sections 395.9, 996.430, 1140, 1171, 1206, and 1287.4.

2002 Law Revision Commission Comment. Section 32.5 is amended to replace the reference to “otherwise” with a reference to an “unlimited civil case.” See Section 88 (civil action or proceeding other than limited civil case may be referred to as unlimited civil case).

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “jurisdictional classification” mean under California civil procedure?

Section 32.5 defines it as whether a case is classified as a limited civil case or an unlimited civil case.

Why was Section 32.5 added?

It was added in 1998 alongside the unification of California’s municipal and superior courts, to preserve the limited/unlimited distinction after both kinds of cases came before the same trial court.

Where is a case’s limited or unlimited status determined?

Section 85 sets the conditions for a limited civil case, and Section 88 supplies the “unlimited civil case” label for cases that don’t meet them.

Amendment History

Added Stats 1998 ch 931 § 19 (SB 2139), effective September 28, 1998. Amended Stats 2002 ch 784 § 22 (SB 1316).

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: jurisdictional classification California civil caselimited vs unlimited civil case CaliforniaCCP section 32.5