This is called a Demand Letter. This is a step you must take before filing a small claims court case.Locally Approved Forms. Court forms are available at California Courts – Forms. Select "Small Claims" from the pull down menu. These forms are now available at the Department of City Planning's Forms page. A demand letter in California is a formal written communication that one party sends to another party in the US to resolve a legal dispute without a court. Be sure you name the Defendant correctly. No. City personnel cannot provide legal advice or assist you in filling out a claim. Below are the most commonly used forms and bulletins.