Opinion ID: 1149011
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Scope of General Demurrer in Action for Declaratory Relief

Text: [1] It is the general rule that in an action for declaratory relief the complaint is sufficient if it sets forth facts showing the existence of an actual controversy relating to the legal rights and duties of the respective parties under a contract and requests that the rights and duties be adjudged. (Code Civ. Proc., § 1060.) If these requirements are met, the court must declare the rights of the parties whether or not the facts alleged establish that the plaintiff is entitled to a favorable declaration. ( Maguire v. Hibernia S. & L. Soc., 23 Cal.2d 719, 728 et seq. [146 P.2d 673, 151 A.L.R. 1062]; cf. Anderson v. Stansbury, 38 Cal.2d 707, 717 [242 P.2d 305]; Essick v. City of Los Angeles, 34 Cal.2d 614, 624-625 [213 P.2d 492].) [2] However, where a complaint shows on its face that all relief is barred by the statute of limitations, it is unnecessary for the court to make a declaration of rights, and a general demurrer may be sustained. ( Maguire v. Hibernia S. & L. Soc., supra, at pp. 733-737.) By analogy, the same rule should apply where the complaint shows that the entire controversy has been settled by a prior judgment. Since, as we shall see, membership rights are material to a consideration of the defenses of res judicata and the statute of limitations, we shall discuss those rights under a separate heading.