Civil procedure: pleadings.

Existing law, until January 1, 2021, authorizes a party to amend its pleading once without leave of the court at any time before the answer or demurrer is filed, or after a demurrer is filed but before it is heard if the amended complaint, cross-complaint, or answer is filed and served no later than the date for filing an opposition to the demurrer. Existing law authorizes a party to amend the complaint, cross-complaint, or answer after the date for filing an opposition to the demurrer, upon stipulation by the parties. This bill, until January 1, 2021, would additionally authorize a party to amend its pleading without leave of the court any time before a motion to strike is filed, or after a motion to strike is heard, as specified. The bill would authorize a party to amend a pleading after the date for filing an opposition to the motion to strike, upon stipulation of the parties. The bill would make conforming changes. Existing law authorizes any party to serve and file a motion to strike a pleading within the time allowed to respond to that pleading. Existing law authorizes any party to move for judgment on the pleadings after the time to demur to a pleading has expired, and requires the grounds for the motion to appear on the face of the challenged pleading or from any matter of which the court is required to take judicial notice. This bill, until January 1, 2021, would require a party, before filing a motion to strike or a motion for judgment on the pleadings, to meet and confer with the party who filed the pleading so that the parties can try to reach an agreement that resolves the objections or claims that would be raised in the motion to strike or motion for judgment on the pleadings. The bill would establish certain requirements, exceptions, and limits on the meet and confer process.