California Code of Civil Procedure > Code Civ. Proc. §116.310. Requirements for Initiating Action
(a) No formal pleading other than the claim described in Section 116.320 or 116.360, is necessary to initiate a small claims action.
(b) The pretrial discovery procedures described in Section 2019.010 are not permitted in small claims actions. [2003]
(b) The pretrial discovery procedures described in Section 2019.010 are not permitted in small claims actions. [2003]