The California Consumer Legal Remedies Act (“CLRA”) was enacted by the legislature of California in 1970, in response to the Kerner Commission recommendations. Five years before the passage of the CLRA, the Watts Riots occurred; the Commission was tasked with investigating the cause of the riots. The Commission determined that a major factor in the riots, which targeted many local businesses, was the systematic business practice of charging consumers outrageous prices for ineffective products.

In order to rectify the harm that unethical business owners posed to society at large, California passed the CLRA and gave it teeth. The CLRA contains exceptionally strong provisions, which enable the wronged consumer to obtain a legal remedy for violations of the CLRA. The CLRA outlaws nearly all iterations of misrepresentations.  Further, a company that has been found to have violated the CLRA will be required to pay attorney’s fees and costs that have been incurred as a result of a consumer pursuing their legal remedies.

For example, the CLRA has been successfully utilized to hold used-car salespersons accountable for their misrepresentations relating to the quality of a car they are selling. If you, or someone you know, has recently purchased a used vehicle and the purchase was the result of a misrepresentation, contact C.O. LAW, APC for a free consultation to help explore your legal options.

What is the Consumer Legal Remedies Act?

Cal. Civ. Code §1750Title

Cal. Civ. Code §1751Waiver Prohibited

Cal. Civ. Code §1752 – Remedies Nonexclusive

Cal. Civ. Code §1753Severability

Cal. Civ. Code §1754Transactions Excluded

Cal. Civ. Code §1755Applicability to Advertising Media

Cal. Civ. Code §1756Applicability to Pending Legal Actions

Cal. Civ. Code §1760Construction

Cal. Civ. Code §1761Definitions

Cal. Civ. Code §1770Unlawful Practices

Cal. Civ. Code §1780 Action for damages and other relief; Additional remedy for senior citizens and disabled persons; Treble damages for charging unreasonable fee to assist applicant or recipient in securing public social services; Venue; Court costs and attorney’s fees.

Cal. Civ. Code §1781Class Actions

Cal. Civ. Code §1782Prerequisites to Commencement of Action

Cal. Civ. Code §1783Limitations of Actions

Cal. Civ. Code §1784Defenses