Wells v. Marina City Properties, Inc.

Opinion

RICHARDSON, J.

We examine and resolve an apparent conflict between two subdivisions of Code of Civil Procedure section 581. (All further statutory references are to that code unless otherwise cited.) Subdivision 1 gives a plaintiff a right to dismiss his action without prejudice “at any time before the actual commencement of trial.” Subdivision 3, on the other hand, affords a defendant a right to obtain dismissal of such action with prejudice after the trial court has sustained, with leave to amend, defendant’s general demurrer, and plaintiff has failed to so amend. We will conclude…