Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, this title on and after its operative date applies to all proceedings commenced prior thereto unless in the opinion of the court application of a particular provision of this title would substantially interfere with the effective conduct of the proceedings or the rights of the parties or other interested persons, in which case the particular provision of this title does not apply and prior law applies.
§ 694.020.Applicability to Proceedings Commenced Prior to Operative Date
Title 9. Enforcement of Judgments · Division 1 · Chapter 20. Transitional Provisions · Enacted 1982 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 694.020 makes this title apply on and after its operative date to proceedings already pending, unless a court decides a particular provision would substantially interfere with the effective conduct of the proceeding or the rights of the parties, in which case prior law governs that provision instead.
Full Text of § 694.020
Plain-English Summary
When the Enforcement of Judgments Law took effect in 1983, it didn't wait for pending proceedings to finish under the old rules. Section 694.020 makes the new title apply immediately to proceedings already underway, as a general rule.
That general rule comes with a built-in escape valve. If, in the court's opinion, applying a particular provision of the new law would substantially interfere with the effective conduct of the proceeding, or with the rights of the parties or other interested persons, that provision doesn't apply — prior law governs that point instead. Everything else about the proceeding still follows the new law.
This provision is largely of historical interest now. It resolved a transition that concluded decades ago; any proceeding pending in 1983 has long since been completed. Its main modern value is explaining the interpretive backdrop for older cases and orders that straddled the 1983 changeover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the Enforcement of Judgments Law apply to enforcement proceedings that were already pending in 1983?
Yes, as a general rule, on and after the July 1, 1983 operative date, unless a court found a specific provision would substantially interfere with the proceeding or the parties' rights.
What happens if applying a new provision would disrupt an ongoing proceeding?
That particular provision doesn't apply, and prior law governs that point instead, while the rest of the title still applies.
Does this section still have practical significance today?
Its transition role is complete. Proceedings pending on the 1983 operative date have long since concluded, so this section mainly has historical and interpretive value for cases from that era.
Amendment History
Added by Stats. 1982, Ch. 1364, Sec. 2. Operative July 1, 1983, by Sec. 3 of Ch. 1364.
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: applicability enforcement of judgments law 1983transition rule pending proceedings california