California · Corporations Code

CORP §9514: (a) Upon refusal of a lawful demand for inspection under this chapter, the superior court of the proper county, or the county where the books or records in question are kept, may enforce the demand or

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

A superior court may enforce inspection demands of corporate records and direct appointed inspectors or accountants to audit financial statements and investigate corporate property. Officers and agents must produce documents or face contempt charges; costs fall on the applicant unless the court orders otherwise.

Read the full statutory text
(a) Upon refusal of a lawful demand for inspection under this chapter, the superior court of the proper county, or the county where the books or records in question are kept, may enforce the demand or right of inspection with just and proper conditions or may, for good cause shown, appoint one or more competent inspectors or independent accountants to audit the financial statements kept in this state and investigate the property and funds of any corporation and of any subsidiary corporation thereof, domestic or foreign, keeping records in this state and to report thereon in such manner as the court may direct. (b) All officers and agents of the corporation shall produce to the inspectors or accountants so appointed all books and documents in their custody or power, under penalty of punishment for contempt of court. (c) All expenses of the investigation or audit shall be defrayed by the applicant unless the court orders them to be paid or shared by the corporation.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.