Excerpt: ..., the court in which such action or proceeding is pending shall, upon motion of a party to such action or proceeding, stay the action or proceeding until the application for an order to arbitrate is determined …” The question is whether the pendency of appeal of an order denying a petition to arbitrate means “such application” is still “undetermined.” The only two courts to consider the issue come to different conclusions. Plaintiffs ...

Excerpt: ... of the settlement.” (Code Civ. Proc., § 664.6 emphasis added.) The purpose of Code of Civil Procedure section 664.6 is to permit a court, via a summary proceeding, to finally dispose of an action. (Wackeen v. Malis (2002) 97 Cal.App.4th 429.) Here, the parties settled in February 2014. At that time, this case was (and still is) pending. The agreement contains a provision making it enforceable under Code of Civil Procedure section 664.6. Howev...

Excerpt: ... Dispute Resolution (Rutter Group 2017) “Contractual Arbitration” §§ 5:301, 5:304; Code Civ. Proc. §1290.2.) The motion/petition must allege specific facts demonstrating the existence of an arbitrable controversy, rather than mere conclusions, and must allege not only the existence of the arbitration agreement but “also that the opposing party refuses to arbitrate the controversy.” (Id. at 5:307 [citing Strauch v. Eyring (1994) 30 Cal....

Excerpt: ... summary judgment order. Explanation: Civil Code section 55.3, subdivision (b)(1), provides that an attorney “shall provide” the specified written advisory form “with each demand letter or complaint sent to or served upon a defendant or potential defendant alleging a construction‐related accessibility claim . . . .” (Emphasis added.) Civil Code section 55.54, subdivision (a)(1), provides that “an attorney who causes a summons and comp...

Excerpt: ...e a receiver appointed for the purpose of transferring the judgment debtor's interest in the license. (Code Civ. Proc. § 708.630.) A necessary part of a motion for appointment of a receiver is to identify the person the moving party wishes to have serve as the receiver, showing that he or she has the necessary qualifications. The moving party here did not do this, but instead proposes that the receiver will be selected after the motion is grante...

Excerpt: ...from the date of this order in which to file a First Amended Complaint addressing the issues noted below. All new or changed allegations shall be set forth in boldface typeset. Explanation: Moving Parties Growers Farm Management, Inc. and George Garcia (“Moving Defendants”) demur to the First, Second, and Fourth Causes of action for Breach of Contract, Negligent Misrepresentation, and Fraud, respectively. The grounds for the demurrer, and the...

Excerpt: ...(2000) 79 Cal.App.4th 876, 885‐886 citing Keating v. Office of Thrift Supervision (9th Cir. 1995) 45 F.3d 322.) And when faced with parallel criminal proceedings, an analysis should be undertaken "in light of the particular circumstances and competing interests involved in the case.” (Avant!, supra, 79 Cal.App.4th at 885, citing Keating, supra, 45 F.3d at 324‐325.) In general, Courts should consider the following factors (“the Keating...

Excerpt: ...the debtor's assets until final adjudication of the claim sued upon. (Code Civ. Proc., §481.010 et seq.) A creditor must follow statutory guidelines in applying for the attachment and establish a prima facie claim. (Lorber Industries of Calif. v. Turbulence, Inc. (1985) 175 Cal.App.3d 532, 535.) An attachment may be issued only if the claim sued upon meets the following requirements: (1) it is a claim for money based on a contract, express or im...

Excerpt: ...ruction, Inc. contracted to provide labor, services and materials in the rehabilitation of a construction project for defendants Ramos Ruiz Brothers, Inc. dba, Ramos Furniture, Jose Ramos, and Jose Ramos AG Land Ventures (hereinafter “Ramos”). Ramos amended the contract with Pickett to exclude insulation, flooring and painting, which work was performed by Peters Roofing, Inc., TCC Construction, Inc., and Spectrum Building Insulation Services....

Excerpt: ...00 is not contingent on FCA scheduling surrender of the vehicle. (Code Civ. Proc. § 664.6.) To deny the motion for sanctions. (Code Civ. Proc. § 128.5.) Explanation: Motion to Enforce Settlement Code of Civil Procedure section 664.6 provides: If parties to pending litigation stipulate, in a writing signed by the parties outside the presence of the court or orally before the court, for settlement of the case, or part thereof, the court, upon mot...

Excerpt: ..., and to prohibit defendant from interfering with the receiver's discharge of his duties. Explanation: Under Code of Civil Procedure section 564, subdivision (a), “A receiver may be appointed, in the manner provided in this chapter, by the court in which an action or proceeding is pending in any case in which the court is empowered by law to appoint a receiver.” Also, “A receiver may be appointed by the court in which an action or proceedin...

Excerpt: ...e Osiride Inis Towt Trust, uta dated 2‐1‐91. Plaintiff is the son of Ms. Towt. Contrary to the pleadings, which allege that Plaintiff loaned money to Defendants, Plaintiff states in his declaration in support of his default judgment request that his mother loaned $250,000 to Defendants “as evidenced by a Borrower's Closing Statement” attached as Exhibit A. (Kliegl Decl. at ¶ 3.) There is no Exhibit A attached to Plaintiff's declaration. ...

Excerpt: ...ant's residential care facility with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. A few months after admission, Plaintiff was allegedly physically attacked by Doe 1, another resident. On or about May 2017, Plaintiff alleges that he was physically attacked by yet another resident, Doe 2. Eventually, Plaintiff moved to another care facility. On March 23, 2018, Plaintiff filed his complaint alleging causes of action for elder abuse, negligent hiring and supervisio...

Excerpt: ... Plaintiff fails to adequately justify its request for increased attorney's fees; (4) Plaintiff improperly requests costs for a litigation guarantee; (5) Plaintiff fails to elect between remedies; and (6) Plaintiff provides no interest calculations. 1. Notice Due process considerations limit the amount of damages awardable on default: “In all default judgments, the demand sets a ceiling on recovery.” (Greenup v. Rodman (1986) 42 Cal.3d 822, 8...

Excerpt: ...rt judgment.” But, this is a minor error. However, Plaintiffs' attorney neglected to sign the Sec. 7 regarding the correctness of the amount of costs submitted. On the one hand, Plaintiffs are not requesting any costs. But, on the other hand, the section indicating a waiver of costs and disbursements was not checked. More importantly, the Declaration of nonmilitary status was not signed on any of the requests for entry of court judgment. Federa...

Excerpt: ...sufficient to establish a class for settlement purposes. There must be an independent assessment by a neutral court of evidence showing that a class action is proper. Luckey v. Superior Court (2014) 228 Cal. App. 4th 81 (rev. denied). See also Newberg, Newberg on Class Actions (T.R. Westlaw, 2017) Section 7:3: “The parties' representation of an uncontested motion for class certification does not relieve the Court of the duty of determining whet...

Excerpt: ...defense counsel before he filed his demurrer. (Code Civ. Proc., § 430.41, subd. (a)(3).) Therefore, he has failed to comply with the requirements of section 430.41. However, the failure to meet and confer is not enough, by itself, to justify overruling the demurrer. (Code Civ. Proc., § 430.41, subd. (a)(4).) Also, since plaintiff is involuntarily confined at Coalinga State Hospital, he obviously cannot meet and confer in person with defense cou...

Excerpt: ...t. Fresno County, Local Rules, rule 2.8.4.) Explanation: Ordinarily, the reasonable attorney's fees in a petition to compromise the minor's claim are 25% of the net settlement without a clear explanation of why the higher fee would be justified per code. In the current petition the attorney seeks 33% of gross. There is nothing about this case that warrants this increased fee amount. The signature of the petitioner is not dated. The top portion of...

Excerpt: ...877.6, “Any party to an action in which it is alleged that two or more parties are joint tortfeasors or co‐ obligors on a contract debt shall be entitled to a hearing on the issue of the good faith of a settlement entered into by the plaintiff or other claimant and one or more alleged tortfeasors or co‐obligors, upon giving notice in the manner provided in subdivision (b) of Section 1005.” (Code Civ. Proc. § 877.6, subd. (a)(1).) “A de...

Excerpt: ...g).) Plaintiff is ordered to pay $1,372.10 in sanctions to the Yarra Law Group, within 30 days of the clerk's service of the minute order. Explanation: Proper service of a notice of deposition compels the opposing party to appear, to testify, and to produce documents if requested. (Code Civ. Proc. §2025.280(a); see Code Civ. Proc. §2025.410 [party served with deposition notice may serve objections on party that noticed the deposition].) Where a...

Excerpt: ...e complete verified responses to the discovery set out above, without objection, within 10 days after service of this order. To grant defendant Donald Inman's motion for sanctions. Plaintiff Eduardo Calderon and his attorney of record, jointly and severally, are ordered to pay monetary sanctions to Ericksen Arbuthnot in amount of $315.00 within 30 days after service of this order. (Code Civ. Pro., § 2031.300(c).) Pursuant to California Rules of ...

Excerpt: ...n of the defendant if to do so appears to the court appropriate under the circumstances of the case.” Code of Civil Procedure section 583.420 authorizes the court to exercise its discretion to dismiss a matter in three circumstances: if service is not made within two years after the action is commenced against a defendant; if the matter is not brought to trial or conditionally settled within three years, and if the action is not tried within tw...

Excerpt: ...ction without leave to amend. To sustain the general demurrer to the second cause of action with leave to amend. To overrule the general demurrer to the third cause of action. An amended complaint in conformity with the ruling is to be filed within 10 days of notice of the ruling. The time in which the complaint can be amended will run from service by the clerk of the minute order. All new allegations in the first amended complaint are to be set ...

Excerpt: ...ard such sanctions. The parties are directed to meet and confer in the next thirty (30) days in order attempt a resolution of the issues regarding Plaintiff's health and her availability to pursue this case. The Court also sets a status conference for Thursday, August 30, 2018 in Department 501 at 3:30 p.m. Explanation: Defendant seeks issue, evidentiary, terminating, and or monetary sanctions pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure §§2023.010, 202...

Excerpt: ...person or by telephone with the party who filed the pleading that is subject to demurrer[.]” (Code Civ. Proc. §430.41(a), bold added; see Judicial Counsel form CIV‐140.) Where the parties are unable to sufficiently meet and confer five or more days prior to the date the responsive pleading is due, a 30‐day extension is automatically granted upon the filing by the demurring party of a declaration stating that a good faith effort was made to...

Excerpt: ...lexity and likely duration of further litigation, the risk of maintaining class action status through trial, the amount offered in settlement, the extent of discovery completed and the stage of the proceedings, the experience and views of counsel, the presence of a governmental participant, and the reaction of the class members to the proposed settlement.” (Dunk v. Ford Motor Company (1996) 48 Cal. App. 4th 1794, 1801, citation omitted.) In Kul...

Excerpt: ...gment debtor shall be filed. Explanation: On December 21, 2016, a default judgment was entered in favor of plaintiff/judgment creditor M4 Associates, LLC and against defendant/judgment debtor Dr. Eric Lee in the total amount of $65,078.37, which consisted of principal in the amount of $60,108.87, attorneys' fees in the amount of $4,505.00, and costs in the amount of $464.50. (Doerksen Decl. ¶ 5, Exhibit “B.”) On June 5, 2018, M4 Associates f...

Excerpt: ...idering a motion pursuant to section 877.6, the court balances the statute's twin goals of (1) encouragement of settlements, and (2) equitable sharing of costs among the parties at fault. (Tech‐Bilt v. Woodward‐Clyde & Assoc. (1985) 38 Cal.3d 488, 494.) The standard is whether the amount of the settlement is within the “reasonable range” or “ballpark” of the settling tortfeasor's proportional share of comparative liability for the pla...

Excerpt: ...73, which gives the courts power to permit amendments in furtherance of justice, has received a very liberal interpretation by the courts of this state.... In spite of this policy of liberality, a court may deny a good amendment in proper form where there is unwarranted delay in presenting it.... On the other hand, where there is no prejudice to the adverse party, it may be an abuse of discretion to deny leave to amend.' [Citation.] ‘In the fur...

Excerpt: ...8.4.) Explanation: An original or a photocopy of a doctor's report containing a diagnosis of and prognosis of the injuries, and a report of the minor‘s present condition, must be attached to the petition as Attachment 9. There is no Attachment 9. Attorney's fees are sought but there is no Attachment 14a to the petition setting out the rule 7.955 factors and no Attachment 18a, copy of the fee agreements attached to the petition. The attorney see...

Excerpt: ...n of proof to show that plaintiff cannot establish one or more elements of her causes of action or to show that there is a complete defense. (Code Civ. Proc. § 437c(p)(2).) Only after the moving party has carried this burden of proof does the burden of proof shift to the other party to show that a triable issue of one or more material facts exists – and this must be shown via specific facts and not mere allegations. (Id.) “California courts ...

Excerpt: ... the 'inferences' reasonably drawn there from and must view such evidence and such inferences 'in the light most favorable to the opposing party.” (Aguilar v. Atlantic Richfield Co. (2001) 25 Cal.4th 826, 843.) In making this determination, courts usually follow a three‐prong analysis: identifying the issues as framed by the pleadings; determining whether the moving party has established facts negating the opposing party's cla...

Excerpt: ... Explanation: It is a misuse of the discovery process to fail to respond to an authorized method of discovery, or disobey a court order to provide discovery. (Code Civ. Proc. §2023.010(d), (f), (g).) Though the decision to order terminating sanctions is not to be made lightly, where a violation is “willful, preceded by a history of abuse, and the evidence shows that less severe sanctions would not produce compliance with the discovery rules,&#...

Excerpt: ...ce six months have elapsed since the entry of a judgment, “a trial court may grant a motion to set aside that judgment as void only if the judgment is void on its face.” (Dill v. Berquist Construction Co. (1994) 24 Cal.App.4th 1426, 1441.) A judgment that is facially invalid may be set aside at any time, “with no limit on the time within which the motion must be made.' (Citation.)”].) (Trackman v. Kenney (2010) 187 Cal.App.4th 175, 18...

Excerpt: ...e clerk's mailing of this minute order. Explanation: Each element of the contempt must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt. (In re Coleman (1974) 12 Cal.3d 568, 572.) These include: (1) Defendant's knowledge of the order disobeyed; (2) Defendant's ability to comply; and (3) Defendant's willful disobedience of the order. (In re Jones (1975) 47 Cal.App.3d 879, 881; People v. Gonzalez (1996) 12 Cal.4th 804, 816.) Contract interpretation ...

Excerpt: ...etition to confirm. See CCP § 1285. If a petition or response requesting confirmation is duly filed and served, the court must confirm the award as made, unless it corrects or vacates the award or dismisses the proceeding. [CCP § 1286 and see Valsan Partners Ltd. Partnership v. Calcor Space Facility (1994) 25 Cal.App.4th 809, 819 and Weinberg v. Safeco Ins. Co. of America (2004) 114 Cal.App.4th 1075, 1084.] A party may seek confirmation by fili...

Excerpt: ...rules 3.1112‐3.1113. Plaintiff has failed to provide the statutory grounds upon which she is moving to set aside the dismissal. See San Francisco Lathing v. Superior Court (1969) 271 C.A.2d 78, 82 and 8 Witkin, Cal. Proc. 5th Attack § 174 (2008). With such, the court cannot entertain this motion. Pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 3.1312(a) and Code of Civil Procedure section 1019.5, subd. (a), no further written order is necessary. T...

Excerpt: ... form interrogatories, set one, special interrogatories, set one, and request for production of documents, set one. (Code Civ. Proc., §§ 2030.290, subd. (b) and 2031.300, subd. (b).) Defendant Henry Macias to provide complete verified responses to all discovery set out above, without objection within 10 days after service of this order. To grant plaintiff Fred Garza, Jr.'s motion that the truth of the matters specified in the requests for admis...

Excerpt: ...8, 2017, plaintiffs served Form Interrogatories (Set One), Special Interrogatories (Set One), Requests for Production of Documents (Set One), and Requests for Admissions (Set One) on defendant via mail. (Devlin Decl., ¶ 7, Ex. 3.) On March 2, 2018, defendant responded to plaintiffs' written discovery. (See Devlin Decl. ¶ 8, Ex. 4.) Plaintiffs filed the instant Motions to Compel Further Responses and to Deem Admissions Admitted, within the stipu...

Excerpt: ...rities that plaintiff is actually seeking to adjudicate the entire breach of contract claim. Plaintiff requests adjudication of the “issues” of each separate element of a breach of contract cause of action, including the existence of a contract, performance by plaintiff, breach by defendant, and damages to plaintiff caused by the breach. In essence, plaintiff seeks to adjudicate the entire cause of action, even though it seeks to parse each s...

Excerpt: ...every rental agreement is a covenant of “quiet enjoyment.” The landlord impliedly promises to allow the tenant possession and “quiet enjoyment” of the premises during the contract term and not to, through act or omission, disturb the tenant's possession and beneficial enjoyment of the premises for the purposes contemplated by the rental agreement. (Civ. Code § 1927; see also e.g. Erlach v. Sierra Asset Servicing, LLC (2014) 226 Cal.A...

Excerpt: ...rst cause of action in the complaint. Defendant is ordered to prepare and file a proposed judgment consistent with this ruling within five (5) court days of service of this order. Explanation: In response to this motion for summary judgment, Plaintiff sought, and obtained, a continuance in order to conduct discovery pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 437c, subdivision (h). On July 3, 2018, Plaintiff filed a notice of non‐opposition, in...

Excerpt: ...s without merit. (Aguilar v. Atlantic Richfield Co. (2001) 25 Cal.4th 826, 850.) A defendant meets that burden by showing that one or more elements of the cause of action cannot be established, or that there is a complete defense thereto. (Code Civ. Proc. §437c, subds. (p)(2), (o)(2).) Thus, the elements of a cause of action for medical malpractice are: (1) a duty to use such skill, prudence, and diligence as other members of the profession comm...

Excerpt: ...nt order. Explanation: As the moving parties, defendants bear the initial burden of proof to show that plaintiffs cannot establish one or more elements of their causes of action or to show that there is a complete defense. (Code Civ. Proc. § 437c(p)(2).) Only after the moving party has carried this burden of proof does the burden of proof shift to the other party to show that a triable issue of one or more material facts exists – and this must...

Excerpt: ...of action. To sustain the general demurrers to the second and fourth causes of action, with leave to amend. Explanation: The court will only rule on the one motion that was properly calendared (by YCA), and will not rule on the District's motions unless and until they are properly calendared pursuant to the Superior Court of Fresno County Local Rules, Rule 2.2.1.  YCA's Demurrer for Uncertainty The memorandum does not make any arguments as to ...

Excerpt: ...ropriate where violation was willful, preceded by history of abuse, or where is shown that less severe sanctions would not produce compliance with procedural rule].) It is an abuse of discretion to dismiss an action solely on the ground that a party has failed to pay monetary sanctions ordered by the court. (Newland v. Superior Court (1995) 40 Cal. App. 4th 608, 615; Midwife v. Bernal (1988) 203 Cal.App.3d 57, 64‐65.) In the instant case, Defen...

Excerpt: ...ecial interrogatories, set one and request for production of documents, set one. (Code of Civil Procedure sections 2030.290(b), 2031.300(b).) The evidence before this court is insufficient to determine if initial responses are due. To deny Jasvir Kaur Jhutti dba A Plus Taxi Cab Co.'s motion for sanctions. (Code of Civil Procedure sections 2030.290(c), 2031.300(c).) Explanation: Defendant has failed to file points and authorities to support any of...

Excerpt: ...at a party thereto refuses to arbitrate such controversy, the court shall order the petitioner and the respondent to arbitrate the controversy if it determines that an agreement to arbitrate the controversy exists . . .” “In any event, if proof of a demand and refusal to arbitrate under the agreement is a necessary prerequisite to a petition to compel arbitration under section 1281.2, the failure to prove such demand and refusal is a failure ...

Excerpt: ...mplaint. The time in which the complaint may be amended will run from the clerk's service of the minute order. New allegations in the amended complaint are to be set in boldface type. Explanation: Demurrer In California, a complaint must contain a statement of the facts constituting the cause of action, in ordinary and concise language; and a demand for judgment for the relief to which the pleader claims to be entitled. (Code Civ. Proc. §425.10....

Excerpt: ...ice of this minute order. All new allegations shall be in boldface typefont. Explanation: A demurrer 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 v. Kirwan (1985) 39 Cal.3d 311, 318.) “[P]laintiff's ability to prove the allegations, or the possible difficulty in making such proof, does not concern the reviewing court.�...