There are four standard elements required to establish a claim for breach of contract in California: (i) the existence of a valid contract, (ii) the plaintiff's performance or excuse for nonperformance, (iii) the defendant's breach of contract, and (iv) resulting damages.
The relevant criteria are: There is a legally binding contract. The other party has failed to perform their duties under the contract. You have suffered loss as a result of the breach. The breach occurred within the last 6 years. Collating and preserving evidence. Reserving your rights. Taking legal advice.
The existence of a contract; Performance by the plaintiff or some justification for nonperformance; Failure to perform the contract by the defendant; and, Resulting damages to the plaintiff.
Statement of Claim State how each defendant was involved and what each defendant did that caused the plaintiff harm or violated the plaintiff's rights, including the dates and places of that involvement or conduct.
Include references to the terms that were breached, quoting relevant sections of the contract, and detail how the other party was in breach of said term(s). List the responsibilities and obligations you deem to be unmet, and explain how the other party is in breach of them.
Once the plaintiff proves that a valid contract existed, they must show that they upheld their part. After that, the plaintiff must show that the defendant did not fulfill their obligations. And finally there must be evidence of actual damages that the plaintiff suffered as a result.