Excerpt: ...ary to the outcome of the instant motion. On May 30, 2024, Plaintiff filed a supplemental brief re -arguing facts and presenting similar arguments as he did in his initial opposition. Plaintiff also submits additional evidence. On June 3, 2024, Defendant also filed a reply indicating that Plaintiff's supplemental brief was filed late and not served. The court will not consider supplemental briefing post -remittitur. REQUEST FOR JUDICIAL NOTIC...

Excerpt: ...nd any additio nal delays will be considered. Before filing a motion to compel a further response to a request for production, the moving party must engage in a reasonable and good faith attempt to informally resolve each issue set forth in the motion and must file an ap propriate declaration with the motion to compel. (CCP § 2031.310(b)(2).) The purpose of the meet and confer requirement is to make the parties reexamine their positions, and t...

Excerpt: ...arately fil e, as a motion for sanctions under section 128.5 must “be made separately from other motions or requests and shall describe the specific alleged action or tactic, made in bad faith, that is frivolous or solely intended to cause unnecessary delay.” (Code Ci v. Proc., § 128.5(f)(a)(A).) Code of Civil Procedure section 128.5 permits the trial court to order a party or the party's attorney “to pay the reasonable expenses, includi...

Excerpt: ... of the Amended Declaration of Angela Bouslaiby Pursuant to Section 377.32 of the California Code of Civil Procedure and Amended Declaration of Ziad Bouslaiby Pursuant to Section 377.32 of the California Code of Civil Procedure. It appears that the requests were made to obtain judicial notice of Decedent's Death Certificate, which states that Decedent lost control of his vehicle. These documents may be judicially noticed pursuant to Cal. Evid. C...

Excerpt: ..., and § 1033.5(b) c ontains a list of items that “are not allowable as costs, except when expressly authorized by law.” An item neither specifically allowable under subdivision (a) nor prohibited under subdivision (b) may be allowed or denied in the discretion of the court if certain requirements are satisfied. (C.C.P. § 1033.5(c)(4).) In particular, the item “shall be reasonably necessary to the conduct of the litigation rather than me...

Excerpt: ...IVER OF OBJECTIONS A S TO ITS RESPONSES TO PLAINTIFF'S SPECIAL INTERROGATORIES (SET ONE) MOTION FOR RELIEF FROM WAIVER OF OBJECTIONS AS TO ITS RESPONSES TO PLAINTIFF'S REQUESTS FOR PRODUCTION (SET ONE) Tentative Ruling: Defendant's Motions for Relief from Waiver of Objections are denied. A party who fails to serve a timely response waives any objections to ROGs or RFPs, as the case may be. (CCP §§ 2030.290(a); 2031.300(a).) Upon a motio...

Excerpt: ...re the pleading does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action. (CCP § 430.10(e).) In evaluating a demurrer, the court gives the pleading a reasonable interpretation by reading it as a whole and all of its parts in their context. (Moore v. Regents of Univ. of Cal. (1990) 51 Cal.3d 120, 125.) The court assumes the truth of all material facts which have been properly pleaded and of facts which may be inferred from those expressly ...

Excerpt: ... 950.2, 950.6(a).) To be timely, a government claim for damages must be presented to the public entity within 6 months of the date the cause of action accrued. (Govt. Code §911.2.) If a plaintiff fails to file a government claim within the 6 -month period, he or she may apply to the public entity for permission to file a late claim. (Govt. Code §911.4.) Such an application must be presented within a reasonable time, and not later than one yea...

Excerpt: ...third- party witnesses Kimberly Lakes, M.D., Glen Fichtner, M.D. and David Franklin, M.D., as well as exhibits attached to the declaration of counsel Christian T.F. Nickerson, based on relevance, inadmissible hearsay, improper opinion testimony, lack of personal knowl edge, lack of proper authentication, etc. Mallari's testimony regarding witnesses' statements during his investigation constitute inadmissible hearsay and compensation for his servi...

Excerpt: ...l notice. (Id.) Demurrers for uncertainty will only be sustained where the defendant cannot reasonably determine what issues must be admitted or denied, or what claims are directed against him. (Khoury v. Maly's of California, Inc. (1993) 14 Cal.App.4th 612, 616.) Demurrers for uncertainty are to be overruled when addressed to inconsequential matters, the facts are within the knowledge of the defendant or ascertainable in discovery, or not dispos...

Excerpt: ...is state, a court rule, or an order of the court. (CCP § 436.) On a motion to strike, as with a demurrer, “the court treats as true the material facts alleged in the complaint, as well as any facts which may be implied or inferred from those expressly alleged.” ( Was hington Int'l Ins. Co. v. Superior Court (1998) 62 Cal. App. 4th 981, 984, n. 2.) A motion to strike is the proper vehicle to attack a punitive damages claim where the facts Pag...

Excerpt: ...(1).) Courts use a two -step evaluation to determine whether an action is a SLAPP suit subject to a special motion to strike: (1) the plaintiff's claim must arise out of the defendant's protected speech or petitioning; and (2) the defendant's claim lacks even minimal P age 4 of 7 merit. (Navellier v. Sletten, (2009) 29 Cal.4th 82, 88 -89; see also Ericsson GE Mobile Communications, Inc. v. C.S.I. Telecommunications Engineers (1996) 49 Cal.App.4th...

Excerpt: ...Code § 12965. Defenda nt does not dispute that Plaintiff is entitled to attorney's fees under § 12965(c)(6), instead asserting that the amount sought is unreasonable. The matter of reasonableness of a party's attorney's fees is within the sound discretion of the trial judge. ( Bruckman v. Parliament Escrow Co. (1989) 190 Cal.App.3d 1051, 1062.) Courts determine whether the amount requested is reasonable based on the circumstances of the case, i...

Excerpt: ...the pleadi ngs involves the same type of procedures that apply to a general demurrer. (Richardson -Tunnell v. School Ins. Program for Employees (2007) 157 Cal.App.4th 1056, 1061.) The grounds for a motion for judgment on the pleadings must appear on the face of the complaint or from a matter of which the court may take judicial notice. (Id.) SONG -BEVERLY —EXPRESS WARRANTIES (1ST -3RD CAUSES OF ACTION) Page 2 of 3 Civil Code §1793.2 governs a ...

Excerpt: ...ce of appeal under Rules 8.104 and 8.108[.]” (CRC Rule 3.1702(b) [emphasis added].) Where no notice of entry of judgment is served, a notice of appeal — and a motion for attorney's fees —must be filed within 180 days of entry of the judgment of dismissal. (CRC Rule 8.104.) He re, there has been no entry of judgment, and no notice of entry of judgment that would trigger the deadlines contemplated by CRC Rule 3.1702 or 8.104. this motion is ...

Excerpt: ...ested documents, and to appear in any proceedings to enforce the discovery. (CCP §2020.220(c).) If a non -party refuses to comply with a subpoena, the subpoenaing party may seek an order compelling compliance. (CCP §§1987.1, 2025.480(a).) The motion shall be accompanied with a meet and confer declaration. (CCP §2025.480(b).) “Unless limited by order of the court...any party may obtain discovery regarding any matter, not privileged, that is ...

Excerpt: ...duce the re quested documents, and to app ear in any proceedings to enforce th e di scover y. (CC P §2020.220(c).) If a non -party refuses to comply with a subpoena, the subpoenaing party may seek an order compelling compliance. (CCP §§1987.1, 2025.480(a).) The motion shal l be accompanied with a meet and confer declaration. (CCP §2025.480(b).) “Unless limited by order of the court...any party may obtain discovery regarding any matter, not ...

Excerpt: ...murrer can be used only to challenge defects that appear on the face of the pleading under attack, or from matters outside the pleading that are judicially noticeable (Blank vs. Kirwan (1985) 39 Cal.3d 311, 318.) In evaluating a complaint under the general demurrer standards, if there is any valid cause of action stated, even if not the one intended, the complaint is sufficient. (Saunders v. Cariss (1990) 224 Cal.App.3d 905, 908.) The sufficiency...

Excerpt: ...nd 97; as to the Req uest for Production 5, it is denied. A party may move for an order to compel a further response if it deems the responding party's objections are without merit or too general. Absent a claim of privilege or attorney work product, the party who seeks to co mpel production has met his burden of showing good cause simply by a fact -specific showing of relevance.” (Kirkland v. Superior Court (2002) 95 Cal. App.4th 92, 98.) The...

Excerpt: ...ed, or beyond the scope of discovery. CCP §2017.010; Rudnick v. Superior Court (1974) 11 Cal.3d 924, 929. Under Evidence Code § 1040(b), a public entity has privilege to refuse to disclose official information, if “[d]isclosure of the information is against public inte rest because there is a necessity for preserving the confidentiality of the information that outweighs the necessity for disclosure in the interest of justice . . .” “Evid...

Excerpt: ...y.” The determination of whether to Page 5 of 9 consolidate two actions is a matter for the trial court's discretion. (Muller v. Robinson (1959) 174 Cal.App.2d 511, 515. The purpose of consolidation is to enhance trial court efficiencies and consolidation should be gra nted to: (1) avoid repetitive trials of common issues; (2) avoid unnecessary costs and delays; and (3) avoid a substantial risk of inconsistent adjudications. (Todd -Stenberg v. ...

Excerpt: ... showing t hat one or more elements of the cause of action cannot be established or that there is a complete defense to that cause of action. (C.C.P. § 437c(p)(2); Cucuzza v. City of Santa Clara (2002) 104 Cal.App.4th 1031, 1037.) Importantly, a moving defendant est ablishes a right to summary judgment by showing that the plaintiff lacks the evidence to support at least one element of the cause(s) of action pleaded. (Cole v. Town of Los Gatos (2...

Excerpt: ... property and i ts value; (4) the location of the property and if it is within private property, a showing that there is probable cause to believe that such property is located there; and (5) a statement that the property has not been taken for tax, assessment, or fine, u nder a statute; or seized. CCP § 512.010(a). Unless the court finds that the defendant has no interest in the property, the court shall not issue a writ of possession “unti...

Excerpt: ... SHARONA ESLAMBOLY HAKIM as to why sanctions not to exceed $1,500.00 or dismissal should not be imposed for Failure to file timely proof of service on all cross -defendants pursuant to CRC 3.110(c). C.C.P. §473(b) allows relief from a default or dismissal where there has been a mistake, inadvertence, surprise or excusable neglect. Relief on these grounds is discretionary. (C.C.P. § 473(b); Lorenz v. Commercial Accept. Inc. Co. (1995) 40 Cal.Ap...

Excerpt: ...) A party's motion for reconsideration must be based on new or different facts or circumstances of law. (Ibid.) A motion for reconsideration must be accompanied by an affidavit stating what application was made before, what judge heard the matter, what orders were made, and what new or different facts, circumstances, or law are claimed to be shown. (Ibid.) When a party seeks reconsideration, he or she must show a “satisfactory explanation for f...

Excerpt: ... all eleven requests. As to sanctions, Plaintiff's request is granted in reasonable reduced amount of $800. Evidentiary Objections Plaintiff objects to statements made in the declaration of Cameron Major based on improper legal argument, lack of foundation, and conc lusory; as to nos. 1-4, it is overruled; and nos. 5 -7, it is sustained. Service of a proper deposition notice obligates a party or party -affiliated witness to attend and testify, an...

Excerpt: ...neral demurrer lies where the pleading does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action. (C.C.P. § 430.10(e).) In evaluating a demurrer, the court gives the pleading a reasonable interpretation by reading it as a whole and all of its parts in their co ntext. (Moore v. Regents of University of California (1990) 51 Cal.3d 120, 125.) The court assumes the truth of all material facts which have been properly pleaded, of facts which ma...

Excerpt: ...employment action ; and (4) the adverse employment action occurred due to the plaintiff's protected class. Reeves v. MV Transportation, Inc. (2010) 136 Cal.App.4th 666, 673. Based on the ruling on the Motion to Deem Matters Admitted, Plaintiff has admitted that he was not d iscriminated against. (Requests for Admission Nos. 4 -6, 8.) As such, this claim fails. The second cause of action is for retaliation. The necessary elements of a retaliation ...

Excerpt: ...oof of servic e pursuant to Cal. R. Ct. 3.110 and failure to timely file and serve an updated and complete case management statement. The OSC was continued several times, until 2/9/22, the court dismissed the action without prejudice for failing to submit a declaration in response to the OSC. The court entered the dismissal order on 2/22/22. On 8/19/22, Plaintiffs filed a motion to set aside the dismissal under CCP §473(b) based on counsel's e...

Excerpt: ...eeding, or any other official proceeding authorized by law” are protected by the anti - SLAPP statute. “The anti -SLAPP statute does not insulate defendants from any liability for claims arising from the protected rights of petition or speech. It only provides a procedur e for weeding out, at an early stage, meritless claims arising from protected activity.” (Baral v. Schnitt (2016) 1 Cal.5th 376, 384 (emphasis in the original).) Thus, cour...

Excerpt: ...expended, determine d by the court to have been reasonably incurred by the buyer in connection with the commencement and prosecution of such action.” (Ibid.) The parties agree Plaintiff is the prevailing party. At issue in this motion is the reasonableness of Plaintiff 's request. The matter of reasonableness of a party's attorney's fees is within the sound discretion of the trial judge. (Bruckman v. Parliament Escrow Co. (1989) 190 Cal.App.3d ...

Excerpt: ...of action. (Cal. Code Civ. Pro. §430.10(c) and (e).) For the purposes of a demurrer, the allegations in the complaint must be accepted as true. (Del E. Webb Corp. v. Structural Materials Co. (1981) 123 Cal.App.3d 593, 604.) However, a demurrer does not admit conten tions, deductions or conclusions of fact or law. (Daar v. Yellow Cab Company (1967) 67 Cal.2d 695, 713.) A plaintiff must plead only ultimate rather than evidentiary facts. (Doe v. Ci...

Excerpt: ...its counsel, represents in its opposition that it has served supplemental responses to Plaintiff as to the at -issue RFPs. Plaintiff argues, however, that Plaintiff has not received these supplemental responses, which FCA has failed to include with its supporting decla ration. Therefore, the motion is granted to the extent FCA is compelled to re -serve the verified supplemental responses to ensure receipt by Plaintiff. Nonetheless, sanctions is ...

Excerpt: ... attendance at a deposition, the court may impose monetary, issue, evidence, or terminating sanctions. (CCP §§ 2025.450(h); 2030.290(c); 2031.300(c).) “To the extent authorized by the chapter governing any particular discovery method . . . the court, after notice to any affected party, person, or attorney, and after opportunity for hearing, may impose . . . [monetary, issue, evidence, or terminating] sanctions against anyone engaging in condu...

Excerpt: ...dant Sarnowski, only. The remainder of the demurrer is overruled as to the fraud cause of action. Motion to strike is moot. REQUEST FOR JUDICIAL NOTICE Cross -Defendants request that the Court take judicial notice of 17 documents. These documents include various court records from the underlying action (Exs. 1 -8, 12- 14, and 17); the recorded quit claim deeds (Exs. 9 -11); and discovery responses in this action (Exs. 15- 16.). The court grants t...

Excerpt: ...evaluating a demurrer, the court gives the pleading a reasonable interpretation by reading it as a whole and all of its parts in their context. (Moore v. Regents of University of California (1990) 51 Cal.3d 120, 125.) The court assumes the truth of all material facts which have been properly pleaded, of facts which may be inferred from those expressly pleaded, and of any material facts of which judicial notice has been requested and may be taken....

Excerpt: ...enied. Defen dant shall provide further responses and documents within 30 days. Plaintiff's request for sanctions is granted in the reasonable reduced amount of $860 (2 x $400/hr. plus filing fee), to be paid within 30 days. EVIDENTIARY OBJECTIONS Plaintiff objects to statements made in the declaration of Cameron Major based on improper legal argument, lack of foundation, lack of personal knowledge, misstatement of evidence, etc. Plaintiff's obj...

Excerpt: ...ay bring a motion to compel further responses to requests for production of documents, if it finds the responses evasive, incomplete, or an objection to a request is made without merit or is too general. CCP § 2031.310(a). A party bringing a motion to compel further respons es to requests for production of documents must engage in a good faith meet and confer attempt before bringing a motion. CCP § 2031.310(b)(1). A meet and confer requires a ...

Excerpt: ...s (l992) 4 Cal.App. 4th 238, 244.) “Allowable costs shall be reasonable in amount.” (CCP §1033.5(c)(3).) The court may allow or deny costs not mentioned in CCP § 1033.5. (CCP §1033.5(c)(4).) A “properly verified memorandum of costs is considered prima facie evidence that the costs listed in the memorandum were necessarily incurred.” (Bach v. Cnty. of Butte (1989) 215 Cal.App.3d 294, 308; see CRC Rule 3.1700(a)(1) [“The memorandum of...

Excerpt: ... objections are without merit or too general. In a motion to compel further responses as to document requests, the moving party must state specific facts demonstrating good cause justifying the discovery sought. (CCP §2031.310(b)(1).) To establish good cause, the moving party must demonstrate relevance and specific facts justifying discovery. (Kirkland v. Superior Court (Guess? Inc.) (2002) 95 Cal.App.4th 92, 98.) The burden to show good cause...

Excerpt: ...��led must file a cross-complaint before or at the same time as the answer to the complaint or cross -complaint filed against him. (Code Civ. Proc., §428.50(a).) Thereafter, it may only be done by permission of the court. (Code Civ Proc., §428.50(c).) A cross- complaint is either permissive or compulsory. (See K.R.L. Partnership v. Superior Court (2004) 120 Cal.App.4th 490, 498.) Code of Civil Procedure section 428.10, subdivision (a) provide...

Excerpt: ...xt. (Moore v. Regents of University of California (1990) 51 Cal.3d 120, 125.) The court assumes the truth of all material facts which have been properly pleaded, of facts which may be inferred from those expressly pleaded, and of any material facts of which judicial notice has been requested and may be taken. (Crowley v. Katleman (1994) 8 Cal.4th 666, 672.) However, a demurrer does not admit contentions, deductions or conclusions of fact or law. ...

Excerpt: ...most qualified t o testify on its behalf as to those matters to the extent of any information known or reasonably available to the deponent.” (Id.) A request for documents may be made in connection with the PMK deposition, and when such a request for documents is made, “t he witness or someone in authority is expected to make an inquiry of everyone who might be holding Page 3 of 5 responsive documents or everyone who knows where such documen...

Excerpt: ...nder the arbitration unnecessary or create conflicting rulings on common issues. (CCP § 1281.2; 9 USC § 2.) A proceeding to compel arbitration is in essence a suit in equity to compel specific performance of a contract. (Freeman v. State Farm Mutual Auto Insurance Co. (1975) 14 Cal.3d 473, 479.) The petition/motion to compel must set forth the provisions of the written agreement and the arbitration clause verbatim, or such provisions must be ...

Excerpt: ...n the amou nt of $1,000, payable within 30 days. In general, a notice of deposition is sufficient to compel a party to appear at deposition and to produce documents. (CCP § 2025.280(a).) Pursuant to CCP § 2025.450(a), where a party fails to appear, without a valid ob jection, the party giving notice of the deposition may move for an order compelling attendance, testimony, and the production of documents. The motion must show good cause, and be ...

Excerpt: ...of Action in the FAC is sustained with leave to amend within 20 days. The motion to strike is granted as to the prayer for punitive damages for failure to comply with C.C.P., § 425.13 with leave to amend within 20 days. A party may object by demurrer to a complaint on g rounds that the pleading does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action. (Code Civ. Pro. §430.10(e).) For the purposes of a demurrer, the allegations in the com...

Excerpt: ...CCP § 430.50 p rovides that a demurrer to an answer may be taken in whole or to one or more of the defenses. In evaluating a demurrer, the court gives the pleading a reasonable interpretation by reading it as a whole and all of its parts in their context. (Moore v. Reg ents of University of California (1990) 51 Cal.3d 120, 125.) The court assumes the truth of all material facts which have been properly pleaded, of facts which may be inferred fro...

Excerpt: ...larations showing why the “interests of justice” will be served by granting the preference request. (CCP §36(e).) The decision to grant or deny a preferential trial setting under CCP §36(e) “rests at all times in the sound discretion of the trial court in light of the tot ality of the circumstances.” (Salas v. Sears, Roebuck & Co. (1986) 42 Cal.3d 342, 344.) In general, “judges are reluctant to grant preferential trial setting. With t...

Excerpt: ...tely at the commencement of the action, without waiting for trial. (See CCP § 512.010 et seq.; Am. Mach. & Foundy Co. v. Pitchess (1968) 262 Cal.App.2d 490, 493.) To obtain a writ of possession, the plaintiff must file an application under oath and must include all of the following: (1) the basis of the plaintiff's claim that it is entitled to possession; (2) a showing that the property is wrongfully detained and of the manner in which defendan...

Excerpt: ...e the January 8 , 2024 Notice of Motion is untimely. However, the order of dismissal was entered on December 8, 2023. Also, there is technically no “judgment” of dismissal. So, this motion is seeking relief from a judgment that does not exist. (See below). Nonetheless, a motion to vacate under CCP § 663 is the wrong procedural mechanism for Plaintiff to seek redress. A ‘judgment' is defined as “the final determination of the rights of ...