-- Last revised 10/20/24 --
Background Studies
This file catalogs background studies prepared for the Commission. The Commission's work on a recommendation sometimes begins after a background study has been prepared -- usually by a specialist in the field, who is retained as a consultant, or by a member of the Commission's staff. Many prominent law professors and members of the Bar have served as Commission consultants over the years.
The table below lists background studies prepared for the Commission, in reverse chronological order. The "Law Review" column provides a citation if the study was printed in a law review. The "Comm'n" column provides information on how to find the study in the Commission's material, as follows:
(1) Background studies that are published in a Commission's publication have a notation indicating the volume and page number of the study. The publication number should be used for reference if you wish to order a copy of a background study. For example: A study with the notation "28:33, Pub. 197" can be found at Volume 28, page 33 of the Commission's printed reports. A copy may be obtained by ordering publication number 197.(2) Background studies that are not published in the Commission's printed publications are typically attached to a staff memorandum. For example, a study with the notation "2002-53" can be found as an attachment to Staff Memorandum 2002-53.
| Author | Title | Date | Law Review | Comm'n |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nathaniel Sterling | Liability of Nonprobate Transfer for Creditor Claims and Family Protections | June 2010 | 2010-27 | |
| Prof. Miguel A. Méndez | California Evidence Code - Federal Rules of Evidence, IX. General Provisions | 44 U.S.F. L. Rev. 891 (2010) | ||
| Prof. Miguel A. Méndez | California Evidence Code - Federal Rules of Evidence, VIII. Judicial Notice | 44 U.S.F. L. Rev. 14 (2009) | ||
| Prof. Miguel A. Méndez | California Evidence Code - Federal Rules of Evidence, VII. Relevance: Definition and Limitations | 42 U.S.F. L. Rev. 329 (2007) | ||
| Prof. Miguel A. Méndez | California Evidence Code - Federal Rules of Evidence, VI. Authentication and the Best and Secondary Evidence Rules | 41 U.S.F. L. Rev. 1 (2006) | ||
| Prof. Roger Alford | Report to Law Revision Commission Regarding Recommendations for Changes to California Arbitration Law | Nov. 2004 | 4 Pepperdine Disp.Resol. L.J. 1 (2004) | |
| Prof. Miguel A. Méndez | California Evidence Code - Federal Rules of Evidence, V. Witnesses: Conforming the California Evidence Code to the Federal Rules of Evidence | 39 U.S.F. L. Rev. 455 (2005) | ||
| Prof. Miguel A. Méndez | Comparison of Evidence Code with Federal Rules: Part I. Hearsay and Its Exceptions (corrected Oct. 2003) | Oct. 2003 | 37 U.S.F. L. Rev. 351 (2003) | |
| Prof. Miguel A. Méndez | California Evidence Code -- IV. Presumptions and the Burden of Proof: Conforming the Evidence Code to the Federal Rules | 38 U.S.F. L. Rev. 139 (2003) | ||
| Prof. Miguel A. Méndez | California Evidence Code -- III. The Role of Judge and Jury: Conforming the Evidence Code to the Federal Rules | 37 U.S.F. L. Rev. 1003 (2003) | 2004-19 | |
| Weller, et al. | Report on the California Three Track Civil Litigation Study | July 2002 | 2002-53 | |
| Prof. Miguel A. Méndez | Comparison of Evidence Code with Federal Rules: Part II. Expert Testimony and the Opinion Rule | May 2002 | 37 U.S.F. L. Rev. 411 (2003) | 2002-41 |
| Prof. Gerald F. Uelmen | California Criminal Procedure and Trial Court Unification | March 2002 | 2002-30 | |
| Prof. Gregory S. Weber | Potential Innovations in Civil Discovery: Lessons for California from the State and Federal Courts | July 2001 | 32 McGeorge L. Rev. 1051 (2001) | 2002-21 |
| Prof. Susan F. French | Scope of Study of Laws Affecting Common Interest Developments | November 2000 | 2001-19 | |
| Judge Joseph Harvey (ret.) | The Need for Evidence Code Revisions To Accommodate Electronic Communication and Storage | June 2000 | 2000-53 | |
| Prof. Frederick Tung | California Municipal Bankruptcy Legislation | March 2000 | 53 Hastings L.J. 885 (2002) | 2000-38 |
| Prof. William McGovern | Rules of Construction: Probate Code Sections 21101-21140 | March 2000 | 2000-50, 2000-75 | |
| Gordon Hunt | Report to Law Revision Commission Regarding Recommendations for Changes to the Mechanic's Lien Law [Part 1] | November 1999 | 1999-85 | |
| Gordon Hunt | Report to Law Revision Commission Regarding Recommendations for Changes to the Mechanic's Lien Law [Part 2] | November 1999 | 2000-9 | |
| Prof. Robert C. Fellmeth | California's Unfair Competition Act: Conundrums and Confusions (January 1995) (Study) | January 1996 | 26:227, Pub. 191 | |
| Prof. Melvin A. Eisenberg | Requirement of Making a Demand on the Board Before Bringing a Derivative Action, and the Standard of Review of a Board or Committee Determination That a Derivative Action Is Not in the Corporation's Best Interests | October 1995 | 1995-72 | |
| Prof. Melvin Eisenberg | Whether the Business Judgment Rule Should Be Codified (May 1995) (Study) | May 1995 | 28:33, Pub. 197 | |
| Prof. Michael Asimow | The Scope of Judicial Review of Decisions of California Administrative Agencies [6] | January 1993 | 42 UCLA L. Rev. 1157 (1995) | 27:309, Pub. 194 |
| Prof. Michael Asimow | A Modern Judicial Review Statute to Replace Administrative Mandamus [7] | January 1993 | 27:403, Pub. 194 | |
| Prof. Michael Asimow | Judicial Review: Standing and Timing [5] | September 1992 | 27:229, Pub. 194 | |
| Prof. Michael Asimow | Toward a New California Administrative Procedure Act: Adjudication Fundamentals [revised version of 1-3] | January 1992 | 39 UCLA L. Rev. 1067 (1992) | 25:321, Pub. 186 |
| Prof. Jerry Kasner | Community Property in Joint Tenancy Form: Since We Have It, Let's Recognize It | December 1991 | 1992-17 | |
| Prof. Michael Asimow | Adjudication Process [4] | October 1991 | 25:447, Pub. 186 | |
| Prof. Jerry Kasner | Donative and Interspousal Transfers of Community Property in California: Where We Are (or Should Be) After Macdonald | March 1991 | 1991-19 | |
| Prof. Michael Asimow | Impartial Adjudicators: Bias, Ex Parte Contacts and Separation of Functions [3] | January 1991 | 1991-6 | |
| Prof. Michael Asimow | Appeals Within the Agency: The Relationship Between Agency Heads and ALJs [2] | August 1990 | 1990-112 | |
| Prof. Michael Asimow | Administrative Adjudication: Structural Issues [1] | October 1989 | 1990-6 | |
| Prof. Michael Asimow | Possible Scope of California Law Revision Commission Study of Administrative Law | August 1988 | 1988-73 | |
| Prof. William G. Coskran | Restrictions on Lease Transfers: Validity and Related Remedies Issues (Must Consenting Adults be Reasonable?) | February 1988 | 1988-14 | |
| Prof. William A. Reppy, Jr. | Retroactive Application to Pre-Enactment Acquisitions of Statutes Providing for Division at Divorce of Items of Separate Property: Avoiding Buol and Fabian | July 1986 | 1986-74 | |
| Prof. Susan F. French | Antilapse Statutes Have a Fundamental Flaw: A Proposal for Reform | January 1985 | 1988-16 | |
| Prof. Susan F. French | Imposing a General Survival Requirement on Beneficiaries of Future Interests: Solving the Problems Caused by Death of a Beneficiary Before the Time for Distribution | January 1985 | 1988-16 | |
| Prof. Gail Boreman Bird | Trust Termination: Unborn, Living and Dead Hands - Too Many Fingers in the Trust Pie | September 1984 | ||
| Prof. Gerald F. Uelmen | Making Sense of California's Criminal Statute of Limitations | March 1983 | 1983-29 | |
| Nathaniel Sterling | Joint Tenancy and Community Property in California | March 1982 | 14 Pacific L.J. 927 (1983) | 1982-32 |
| Prof. Carol S. Bruch | The Definition and Division of Marital Property in California: Toward Parity and Simplicity | July 1981 | ||
| Prof. Carol S. Bruch | Management Powers and Duties Under California's Community Property Laws | September 1980 | 1980-90 | |
| Prof. William A. Reppy, Jr. | Debt Collection from Married Persons in California | January 1980 | 1980-19 | |
| Prof. William A. Reppy, Jr. | Considerations Respecting Repeal of the "Sole Trader Act" -- Code of Civil Procedure Sections | December 1979 | 1980-8 | |
| Prof. James L. Blawie | A Study of the Present Law of Property and Conveyancing in California with Critical Analysis and Suggestions for Change | November 1979 | 1980-92 | |
| Prof. Jack Friedenthal | Analysis of Differences Between the Federal Rules of Evidence and the California Evidence Code | January 1976 | ||
| Richard Timbie | Modification of Written Contracts in California | January 1975 | 23 Hastings L.J. 1549 (1972) | 13:315, Pub. 113 |
| Prof. Justin Sweet | Liquidated Damages in California | December 1973 | 60 Cal. L. Rev. 84 (1972) | 11:1229, Pub. 104 |
| Richard H. Will | Inheritance Rights of Nonresident Aliens: A Look at California's Reciprocity Statute | September 1973 | 3 Pacific L.J. 551 (1972) | 11:429, Pub. 97 |
| Nathaniel Sterling | Civil Arrest in California | July 1972 | 11:25, Pub. 93 | |
| Prof. Arvo Van Alstyne | California Inverse Condemnation Law : Scope of Legislative Power | June 1971 | 29 Stan. L. Rev. 727 (1967) | 10:15, Pub. 88 |
| Prof. Arvo Van Alstyne | California Inverse Condemnation Law : Inverse Condemnation Goals and Policy Criteria | June 1971 | 8 Santa Clara Law. 1 (1967) | 10:75, Pub. 88 |
| Prof. Arvo Van Alstyne | California Inverse Condemnation Law : Deliberately Inflicted Injury or Destruction | June 1971 | 20 Stan. L. Rev. 617 (1968) | 10:111, Pub. 88 |
| Prof. Arvo Van Alstyne | California Inverse Condemnation Law : Unintended Physical Damage | June 1971 | 20 Hastings L.J. 421 (1969) | 10:163, Pub. 88 |
| Prof. Arvo Van Alstyne | California Inverse Condemnation Law : Intangible Detriment | June 1971 | 16 UCLA L. Rev. 491 (1969) | 10:249, Pub. 88 |
| Prof. Arvo Van Alstyne | California Inverse Condemnation Law : Taking or Damaging by Police Power | June 1971 | 44 S. Cal. L. Rev. 1 (1970) | 10:303, Pub. 88 |
| Nathaniel Sterling | California Inverse Condemnation Law : Recent Developments in California Inverse Condemnation Law | June 1971 | 10:377, Pub. 88 | |
| Prof. Jack H. Friedenthal | Joinder of Claims, Counterclaims, and Cross-Complaints: Suggested Revision of the California Provisions | October 1970 | 23 Stan. L. Rev. 1 (1970) | 10:579, Pub. 89 |
| Gordon E. McClintock | Fictitious Business Names Legislation -- Modernizing California's Pioneer Statute | October 1969 | 19 Hastings L.J. 1349 (1968) | 9:633, Pub. 84 |
| Clarence B. Taylor | Statute of Frauds and Misrepresentations as to the Credit of Third Persons: Should California Repeal Its Lord Tenterden's Act? | October 1969 | 16 UCLA L. Rev 603 (1969) | 9:711, Pub. 85 |
| Clarence B. Taylor | "Vesting" of Interests Under the Rule Against Perpetuities | October 1969 | 9:909, Pub. 87 | |
| Prof. Richard R.B. Powell | Powers of Appointment in California | October 1968 | 19 Hastings L.J. 1281 (1968) | 9:335, Pub. 81 |
| James D. Cox | Mutuality of Remedies in California Under Civil Code Section 3386 | September 1968 | 19 Hastings L.J. 1430 (1968) | 9:213, Pub. 80 |
| Clarence B. Taylor | Possession Prior To Final Judgment in California Condemnation Procedure | December 1967 | 7 S.C. Lawyer 1 (1966) | 8:1171, Pub. 76 |
| Judge George Brunn | California Personal Injury Damage Awards to Married Persons | October 1966 | 13 UCLA L. Rev. 587 (1966) | 8:421, Pub. 69 |
| Prof. Jack H. Friedenthal | Imputed Contributory Negligence: The Anomaly in California Vehicle Code Section 17150 | October 1966 | 17 Stan. L. Rev. 55 (1964) | 8:525, Pub. 70 |
| Albert C. Bender | Power of the Trial Court To Deny a New Trial on the Condition that Damages Be Increased | October 1966 | 3 Cal. W.L. Rev. 1 (1966) | 8:615, Pub. 71 |
| Joseph B. Harvey | Whether the Rights and Duties Attendant upon the Termination of a Lease Should Be Revised | October 1966 | 54 Cal. L. Rev. 1141 (1966) | 8:731, Pub. 72 |
| John Henry Merryman | Improving the Lot of the Trespassing Improver | October 1966 | 11 Stan. L. Rev. 456 (1959) | 8:819, Pub. 73 |
| Suit By or Against an Unincorporated Association | October 1966 | 8:921, Pub. 74 | ||
| Profs. James H. Chadbourn & Ronan E. Degnan | Uniform Rules of Evidence -- Burden of Producing Evidence, Burden of Proof, and Presumptions | June 1964 | 6:1047, Pub. 58 | |
| Prof. James H. Chadbourn | General Provisions Article of the Uniform Rules of Evidence | April 1964 | 6:37, Pub. 51 | |
| Prof. James H. Chadbourn | Judicial Notice Article of the Uniform Rules of Evidence | April 1964 | 6:829, Pub. 56 | |
| Prof. James H. Chadbourn | Uniform Rules of Evidence -- Extrinsic Policies Affecting Admissibility | March 1964 | 6:625, Pub. 54 | |
| Prof. James H. Chadbourn | Witnesses Article of the Uniform Rules of Evidence | March 1964 | 6:725, Pub. 55 | |
| Prof. James H. Chadbourn | Uniform Rules of Evidence -- Expert and Other Opinion Testimony | March 1964 | 6:923, Pub. 57 | |
| Prof. James H. Chadbourn | Privileges Article of the Uniform Rules of Evidence | February 1964 | 6:301, Pub. 53 | |
| Prof. James H. Chadbourn | Authentication Article of the Uniform Rules of Evidence | January 1964 | 6:131, Pub. 52 | |
| Prof. Arvo Van Alstyne | Study Relating to Sovereign Immunity | January 1963 | 5:1, Pub. 50 | |
| Pretrial Conferences and Discovery in Eminent Domain Proceedings | January 1963 | 4:715, Pub. 42 | ||
| Prof. James H. Chadbourn | Hearsay Evidence Article of the Uniform Rules of Evidence [same as 4:401] | August 1962 | 6:ff-1150, Pub. 59 | |
| Prof. James H. Chadbourn | Hearsay Evidence Article of the Uniform Rules of Evidence | August 1962 | 4:401, Pub. 41 | |
| Hill, Farrer & Burrill firm | Evidence in Eminent Domain Proceedings | October 1960 | 3:A-11, Pub. 28 | |
| Hill, Farrer & Burrill firm | Taking Possession and Passage of Title in Eminent Domain Proceedings | October 1960 | 3:B-27, Pub. 29 | |
| Hill, Farrer & Burrill firm | Reimbursement for Moving Expenses when Property Is Acquired for Public Use | October 1960 | 3:C-11, Pub. 30 | |
| Prof. Lawrence A. Sullivan | Rescission of Contracts | October 1960 | 3:D-15, Pub. 31 | |
| Prof. Arthur H. Sherry | Juvenile's Right to Counsel and the Designation of Nondelinquent Minor as "Ward of the Juvenile Court" | October 1960 | 3:E-23, Pub. 32 | |
| Leo V. Killion | Survival of Tort Actions | October 1960 | 3:F-15, Pub. 33 | |
| Prof. Sam Kagel | Arbitration | October 1960 | 3:G-25, Pub. 34 | |
| Prof. Arvo Van Alstyne | Presentation of Claims Against Public Officers and Employees | October 1960 | 3:H-9, Pub. 35 | |
| Prof. Harold Marsh, Jr. | Inter Vivos Marital Property Rights in Property Acquired While Domiciled Elsewhere | October 1960 | 3:I-21, Pub. 36 | |
| John J. Wilson | Notice of Alibi in Criminal Actions | October 1960 | 3:J-9, Pub. 37 | |
| Prof. Arvo Van Alstyne | Presentation of Claims Against Public Entities | January 1959 | 2:A-17, Pub. 19 | |
| Prof. Harold W. Horowitz | Right of Nonresident Aliens To Inherit | January 1959 | 2:B-13, Pub. 20 | |
| CLRC Staff | Notice to Shareholders of a Sale of All or Substantially All of the Assets of a Corporation | January 1959 | 2:G-9, Pub. 25 | |
| Prof. John Henry Merryman | Mortgages To Secure Future Advances | November 1958 | 2:C-9, Pub. 21 | |
| Prof. Harold E. Verrall | Whether the Doctrine of Worthier Title Should Be Abolished in California | November 1958 | 2:D-9, Pub. 22 | |
| I. Robert Harris | Overlapping Provisions of Penal and Vehicle Codes Relating to Taking of Vehicles and Driving While Intoxicated | November 1958 | 2:E-8, Pub. 23 | |
| Prof. Harold G. Pickering | Time Within Which a Motion for a New Trial May Be Made When Notice of Entry of Judgment Has Not Been Given | November 1958 | 2:F-8, Pub. 24 | |
| Prof. Stanley Howell | California Law Relating to Bringing in New Parties in Civil Actions | February 1957 | 1:M-9, Pub. 16 | |
| Prof. James H. Chadbourn | Whether the Dead Man Statute Should Be Modified or Repealed | February 1957 | 1:D-9, Pub. 7 | |
| Prof. Edward A. Hogan, Jr. | Whether California Courts Should Take Judicial Notice of the Law of Foreign Countries | February 1957 | 1:I-9, Pub. 12 | |
| Prof. James D. Sumner, Jr. | Law Which Should Govern Survival of Actions Arising in Another State When Suit Is Brought in California | February 1957 | 1:J-7, Pub. 13 | |
| Prof. Edward L. Barrett, Jr. | Effective Date of New Trial Orders in Relation to Section 660 of the Code of Civil Procedure | February 1957 | 1:K-9, Pub. 14 | |
| CLRC Staff | California Law Relating to Retention of Venue for Convenience of Witnesses | February 1957 | 1:L-7, Pub. 15 | |
| Harold Marsh, Jr. | Whether Section 201.5 of the Probate Code Should Be Revised | December 1956 | 1:E-15, Pub. 8 | |
| Prof. Lowell Turrentine | Whether the Sections of the Civil Code Prohibiting Suspension of the Absolute Power of Alienation Should Be Repealed | November 1956 | 1:G-11, Pub. 10 | |
| Selim S. Franklin & CLRC Staff | Use of Motions and Orders To Show Cause in Connection with Awards of Attorney's Fees and Costs Pursuant to Civil Code Section 137.3 | November 1956 | 1:B-9, Pub. 5 | |
| William H. Allen & CLRC Staff | Whether the Jury Should Be Given a Copy of the Court's Instructions To Take into the Jury Room | November 1956 | 1:C-9, Pub. 6 | |
| C Hugh Friedman & CLRC Staff | Whether the "For and Against" Testimonial Privilege of Married Persons Should Be Revised | November 1956 | 1:F-9, Pub. 9 | |
| Thomas W. Cochran | Penal Code Section 19a and Related Code Sections | October 1956 | 1:A-23, Pub. 4 | |
| Homestead Law and Probate Code Sections 640 to 646 | January 1955 | 1:1-41, Pub. 1 |