California Codes, Code of Civil Procedure - CCP, Part 2 — Of Civil Actions, Title 8 — Of the Trial and Judgment in Civil Actions, Chapter 5 — Trial by the Court, Section 636
On a judgment for the plaintiff upon an issue of law, he may proceed in the manner prescribed by the first two subdivisions of Section 585, upon the failure of the defendant to answer. If judgment be for the defendant upon an issue of law, and the taking of an account, or the proof of any fact, be necessary to enable the Court to complete the judgment, a reference may be ordered, as in that section provided.
Notes
Allows a plaintiff who wins on an issue of law to proceed under the referenced default procedures if the defendant fails to answer. If judgment on an issue of law favors the defendant but an accounting or factual proof is needed to complete judgment, allows the court to order a reference as provided in that section.
Use as reference
Lexinter.net | California Code, Code of Civil Procedure - CCP § 636 | https://laws.lexinter.net/codes/california/code-of-civil-procedure/part-2/title-8/chapter-5/section-636