California Codes, Code of Civil Procedure - CCP, Part 2 — Of Civil Actions, Title 6 — Of the Pleadings in Civil Actions, Chapter 3 — Objections to Pleadings; Denials and Defenses, Article 2 — Denials and Defenses, Section 431.20
(a) Every material allegation of the complaint or cross-complaint, not controverted by the answer, shall, for the purposes of the action, be taken as true.
(b) The statement of any new matter in the answer, in avoidance or constituting a defense, shall, on the trial, be deemed controverted by the opposite party.
Notes
Establishes that every material allegation in a complaint or cross-complaint that the answer does not controvert is taken as true for purposes of the action. New matter stated in an answer to avoid liability or constitute a defense is deemed controverted by the opposing party at trial.
Use as reference
Lexinter.net | California Code, Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 431.20 | https://laws.lexinter.net/codes/california/code-of-civil-procedure/part-2/title-6/chapter-3/article-2/section-431-20