Book excerpt: The new mechanics lien laws that become fully effective July 1, 2012, enacted a complete revision to the California mechanics lien laws. The bill was the result of work of many years of work by the California Law Revision Commission. The author, Howard B. Brown, worked with that commission. He has been an attorney for over 63 years and most of that in construction litigation and law. The new laws have made numerous changes in the lien laws. All contractors, builders, lenders sureties and those desiring their services will be affected by the new statutes. A purpose of this book is to explain the new laws and their interfacing with the present statutes to be replaced by the new statutes in whole or in part, as they may relate to the construction of projects and improvements under old, but still existing, and new laws that become effective as indicated.