2010 California Code
Civil Code
Article 11. Attorney's Fees And Court Costs

1811.1.  Reasonable attorney's fees and costs shall be awarded to
the prevailing party in any action on a contract or installment
account subject to the provisions of this chapter regardless of
whether such action is instituted by the seller, holder or buyer.
Where the defendant alleges in his answer that he tendered to the
plaintiff the full amount to which he was entitled, and thereupon
deposits in court, for the plaintiff, the amount so tendered, and the
allegation is found to be true, then the defendant is deemed to be a
prevailing party within the meaning of this article.