If more than one action is pending concerning similar contests which may be brought under this chapter, they shall be consolidated for trial.
§ 865.Consolidation of Actions
Title 10. Actions In Particular Cases · Chapter 9. Validating Proceedings · Enacted 1961 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 865 requires consolidation for trial whenever more than one pending action raises similar contests that could be brought under this chapter.
Full Text of § 865
Plain-English Summary
Validation matters can attract more than one lawsuit -- an agency's own validation action alongside a citizen's reverse validation action, or multiple interested persons each filing separate challenges. Section 865 keeps that from turning into duplicate, potentially conflicting proceedings: whenever more than one action is pending raising similar contests under this chapter, the actions have to be consolidated for trial.
Consolidation serves the same goal that drives the rest of this chapter -- a single, conclusive resolution of the matter, reached efficiently and without the risk of inconsistent outcomes in parallel cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if multiple validation-related lawsuits are filed over the same matter?
They must be consolidated for trial.
Why does the law require consolidation here?
To avoid duplicate or inconsistent rulings on the same matter and reach one conclusive result.
Amendment History
Added by Stats. 1961, Ch. 1479.
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: consolidation validation actions california