In any action brought under Article 8 (commencing with Section 12600) of Chapter 6, Part 2, Division 3, Title 3 of the Government Code, a party may object to the appointment of any person as referee on the ground that the person is not technically qualified with respect to the particular subject matter of the proceeding.
§ 641.2.Person Not Technically Qualified With Respect to Subject Matter
Title 8. Of the Trial and Judgment In Civil Actions · Chapter 6. Of References and Trials by Referees · Last amended 2001 · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 641.2 lets a party in an action brought under a specific Government Code provision object to a proposed referee on the ground that the person lacks the technical qualifications needed for that proceeding's particular subject matter.
Full Text of § 641.2
Plain-English Summary
This section adds a subject-matter-specific objection for a narrow category of cases — actions brought under the Government Code provision it cites. In those proceedings, a party can object to a proposed referee not on the general grounds § 641 lists, but specifically because the person isn't technically qualified to handle the particular subject matter the case involves.
The idea is that some references call for specialized technical knowledge beyond what disqualifies a referee generally — a referee could be free of bias or conflicting relationships under § 641 and still lack the subject-matter expertise this kind of case demands.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of objection does this section add beyond § 641's grounds?
An objection specific to whether the proposed referee has the technical qualifications needed for the particular subject matter of the proceeding.
Does this section replace the general objection grounds in § 641?
No, it supplements them for the specific category of actions this section covers.
Amendment History
Amended by Stats 2000 ch 644 (AB 2912), s 5, eff. 1/1/2001.
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: technical qualification objection referee california