Bachis v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance

The question for decision is whether section 89 of the Code of Civil Procedure, defining the jurisdiction of the municipal court with respect to the amount in controversy, may be circumvented by a label. More specifically the issue is whether a fully matured cause of action for money damages in an amount of $5,000 or less, where nothing remains to be done but the payment of money and where no declaration concerning future rights and duties is necessary, proper or even possible, may be made the subject of a superior court action under the declaratory relief statute. (Code Civ. Proc., §§…