Contracts and other agreements are generally based on the parties’ voluntary consent. Disputes can arise, however, when one party claims that serious economic pressure left them with no reasonable alternative but to accept an agreement or contractual demand. Under California…

Contracts are generally intended to establish continuing obligations between the parties, but circumstances may arise in which one or both parties seek to undo the agreement. When that occurs, a dispute can develop over whether the contract was effectively rescinded.…

Businesses are generally treated as legal entities separate from the individuals who own or control them. This separation can protect shareholders, members, and related entities from being held responsible for obligations that belong to the business itself. California courts may…

Disputes over corporate control can arise when shareholders, directors, officers, or other parties disagree about who has authority to make decisions for a company. These disputes may involve ownership interests, voting rights, board composition, or competing claims to corporate authority.…

Boundary line disputes can arise when neighboring property owners disagree about where one property ends and another begins. These disagreements may involve surveys, property descriptions, physical markers, or other evidence that affects the location of a boundary. Because every property…

Disputes involving property ownership or interests can sometimes include allegations that false statements have harmed a person’s ownership rights or ability to use, sell, or transfer property. When these issues arise, courts may be asked to evaluate claims involving slander…

Some contracts make performance contingent on one party being satisfied before a contractual obligation becomes due. When disagreements arise over whether that standard has been met, courts evaluate the language of the agreement and the surrounding circumstances to determine how…

Arbitration agreements often require certain disputes to be resolved outside of court. In some situations, however, a party’s actions during litigation may raise questions about whether the right to require arbitration has been waived. Courts carefully evaluate the circumstances before…

Legal claims are often expected to be brought within established time limits. In some situations, however, a court may also consider whether an unreasonable delay in asserting a legal right has unfairly affected another party, even if a claim was…

Collateral estoppel, sometimes referred to as issue preclusion, is a legal doctrine that may prevent the same issue from being litigated more than once. When the legal requirements are met, courts may determine that an issue previously decided in one…