{"code":"BPC","codeName":"Business and Professions Code","section":"809.9","citation":"Bus. & Prof. Code, § 809.9","status":"in-force","lawOn":"2026-09-28","headings":[{"name":"DIVISION 2. HEALING ARTS [500. - 4999.202.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/business-and-professions-code/division-2"},{"name":"CHAPTER 1. General Provisions [500. - 865.2.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/business-and-professions-code/division-2/chapter-1"},{"name":"ARTICLE 11. Professional Reporting [800. - 809.9.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/business-and-professions-code/division-2/chapter-1/article-11"}],"history":"Added by Stats. 1989, Ch. 336, Sec. 9.5.   Effective September 11, 1989.   Operative January 1, 1990, by Sec. 11 of Ch. 336.","effective":"1989-09-11","html":"<p>In any suit brought to challenge an action taken or a restriction imposed which is required to be reported pursuant to Section <a href=\"/bpc/805\">805</a>, the court shall, at the conclusion of the action, award to a substantially prevailing party the cost of the suit, including a reasonable attorney’s fee, if the other party’s conduct in bringing, defending, or litigating the suit was frivolous, unreasonable, without foundation, or in bad faith. For the purposes of this section, a defendant shall not be considered to have substantially prevailed when the plaintiff obtains an award for damages or permanent injunctive or declaratory relief. For the purpose of this section, a plaintiff shall not be considered to have substantially prevailed when the plaintiff does not obtain an award of damages or permanent injunctive or declaratory relief.</p>","text":"In any suit brought to challenge an action taken or a restriction imposed which is required to be reported pursuant to Section 805, the court shall, at the conclusion of the action, award to a substantially prevailing party the cost of the suit, including a reasonable attorney’s fee, if the other party’s conduct in bringing, defending, or litigating the suit was frivolous, unreasonable, without foundation, or in bad faith. For the purposes of this section, a defendant shall not be considered to have substantially prevailed when the plaintiff obtains an award for damages or permanent injunctive or declaratory relief. For the purpose of this section, a plaintiff shall not be considered to have substantially prevailed when the plaintiff does not obtain an award of damages or permanent injunctive or declaratory relief.","otherVersions":[],"url":"https://blackletter.si/business-and-professions-code/professional-reporting-809-9","source":"California Legislative Information bulk export (pubinfo)"}