use, so it must be set and unique. * * @var array */ public $validate = array( 'Name' => array( 'notBlank' => array( 'rule' => array('notBlank'), 'message' => 'A state needs a name', ), 'isUnique' => array( 'rule' => array('isUnique'), 'message' => 'A state with this name already exists', ), ), ); }