A demurrer shall distinctly specify the grounds upon which any of the objections to the complaint, cross- complaint, or answer are taken. Unless it does so, it may be disregarded.
§ 430.60.Demurrer to Distinctly Specify Grounds of Objections
Title 6. Of the Pleadings In Civil Actions · Chapter 3. Objections to Pleadings; Denials and Defenses · Article 1. Objections to Pleadings · Enacted 1971 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 430.60 requires a demurrer to distinctly specify the grounds for each objection to the complaint, cross-complaint, or answer, and allows the court to disregard a demurrer that fails to do so.
Full Text of § 430.60
Plain-English Summary
Section 430.60 is a drafting requirement. A demurrer must distinctly specify the grounds on which each objection is taken — a vague reference to defects in a complaint is not enough. The demurring party has to tie each objection to a specific statutory ground.
The consequence for skipping this step is stated plainly: a demurrer that does not distinctly specify its grounds may be disregarded. That gives the court latitude to ignore a poorly drafted demurrer rather than sort out its arguments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if a demurrer does not specify its grounds clearly?
Section 430.60 allows the court to disregard a demurrer that fails to distinctly specify the grounds for its objections.
Does a demurrer need to cite a specific ground for each objection?
Yes — § 430.60 requires the demurrer to distinctly specify the grounds for every objection it raises.
Amendment History
Added by Stats. 1971, Ch. 244.
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: demurrer must specify grounds