California Codes, Code of Civil Procedure - CCP, Part 2 — Of Civil Actions, Title 6 — Of the Pleadings in Civil Actions, Chapter 7 — General Rules of Pleading, Section 460
In an action for libel or slander it is not necessary to state in the complaint any extrinsic facts for the purpose of showing the application to the plaintiff of the defamatory matter out of which the cause of action arose; but it is sufficient to state, generally, that the same was published or spoken concerning the plaintiff; and if such allegation be controverted, the plaintiff must establish on the trial that it was so published or spoken.
Notes
Allows a libel or slander complaint to allege generally that the defamatory matter was published or spoken concerning the plaintiff without pleading extrinsic facts connecting it to the plaintiff. If that allegation is disputed, requires the plaintiff at trial to prove that the statement was in fact published or spoken concerning the plaintiff.
Use as reference
Lexinter.net | California Code, Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 460 | https://laws.lexinter.net/codes/california/code-of-civil-procedure/part-2/title-6/chapter-7/section-460