Excerpt: ...tion: Code of Civil Procedure section 473 authorizes the trial court, in its discretion, to allow amendments in furtherance of justice. (Code Civ. Proc., § 473; Cherrigan v. City etc. of San Francisco (1968) 262 Cal.App.2d 643, 653.) However, where no prejudice is shown to the adverse party, “courts are bound to apply a policy of liberality in permitting amendments to the complaint at any stage of the proceedings, up to and including trial. (A...

Excerpt: ...fifth and sixth causes of action, with leave to amend. Plaintiff is granted 10 days' leave to file an amended pleading. The time in which the complaint may be amended will run from the clerk's service of the minute order. All new allegations in the amended complaint are to be set in boldface type. Explanation: Demurrer Special demurrer to first through fourth causes of action “Following an order sustaining a demurrer … with leave to amend, th...

Excerpt: ...ts the truth of all material allegations and a Court will “give the complaint a reasonable interpretation by reading it as a whole and all its parts in their context.” (People ex re. Lungren v. Superior Court (1996) 14 Cal.4th 294, 300.) 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...

Excerpt: ...lly and dba GSS Truck Parking Terminal. Each court has the power to “control in furtherance of justice, the conduct of its ministerial officers, and of all other persons in any manner connected with a judicial proceeding before it, in every matter pertaining thereto.” (Code Civ. Proc. § 128(a)(5).) This power permits courts to disqualify an attorney based upon a conflict of interest on the motion of another party. (In re Complex Asbestos Lit...

Excerpt: ...pation (“SLAPP”) provides a procedural remedy to dismiss nonmeritorious litigation meant to chill the valid exercise of the constitutional rights to petition or engage in free speech. (Code Civ. Proc. §425.16(a); see Martinez v. Metabolife Intern., Inc. (2003) 113 Cal.App.4th 181, 186.) The court engages in a two‐step process in determining whether an action is subject to the anti‐SLAPP statute: first, the court decides whether defendant...

Excerpt: ...y defendant LiDestri Foods, Inc., he fell from an unguarded and elevated height while dumping waste into a lower level recycling dumpster due to lack of proper or adequate guardrail or other safeguards to prevent falls. The cause of action alleges counts of negligence and willful failure to warn. The moving papers show that plaintiff was in fact an employee of employment agency Select Staffing, assigned to work at LiDestri Foods providing sanitat...

Excerpt: ...y defendant LiDestri Foods, Inc., he fell from an unguarded and elevated height while dumping waste into a lower level recycling dumpster due to lack of proper or adequate guardrail or other safeguards to prevent falls. The cause of action alleges counts of negligence and willful failure to warn. The moving papers show that plaintiff was in fact an employee of employment agency Select Staffing, assigned to work at LiDestri Foods providing sanitat...

Excerpt: ...n a manner that violates any provisions of this part, the building standards published in the State Building Standards Code relating to the provisions of this part, any other rule or regulation adopted pursuant to the provisions of this part, or any provision in a local ordinance that is similar to a provision in this part, and the violations are so extensive and of such a nature that the health and safety of residents or the public is substantia...

Excerpt: ... to form interrogatories, set one, and request for production of documents, set one, deem request for admissions, set one, admitted and for monetary sanctions Bradley Oberg's motions to compel the defendants Jamie Cerda and Linda Cerda's attendance at deposition Tentative Ruling: The court notes that the City scheduled 2 motions and filed 2 sets of moving papers. In actuality each set of moving papers consisted of 3 motions combined into one set ...

Excerpt: ...provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure. Explanation: A general demurrer admits the truth of all material allegations and a Court will “give the complaint a reasonable interpretation by reading it as a whole and all its parts in their context.” (People ex re. Lungren v. Superior Court (1996) 14 Cal.4th 294, 300.) A demurrer can be used only to challenge defects that appear on the face of the pleading under attack or from matters outside the...

Excerpt: ...the Uniform Fraudulent Transfers Act (UFTA). Under Civil Code section 3439.07, (a) In an action for relief against a transfer or obligation under this chapter, a creditor, subject to the limitations in Section 3439.08, may obtain: (1) Avoidance of the transfer or obligation to the extent necessary to satisfy the creditor's claim. (2) An attachment or other provisional remedy against the asset transferred or other property of the transferee in...

Excerpt: ...phs 74, 80, 87, and 92 and the reference to “defendants' in paragraph 108, to deny the opposed motion to strike as to the remainder. Plaintiff shall file and serve a Second Amended Complaint within 10 days of the clerk's service of this minute order. New allegations shall be in boldface type font. Explanation: Demurrer: Defendants generally demur to the first and sixth causes of action. First Cause of Action – FEHA Retaliation Plaintiff's fir...

Excerpt: ...e overruled. Explanation: To obtain summary judgment, “all a defendant needs to do is to show that the plaintiff cannot establish at least one element of the cause of action.” Aguilar v. Atlantic Richfield Co. (2001) 25 Cal.4th 826, 853. If a defendant makes this showing, the burden shifts to the plaintiff to demonstrate that one or more material facts exist as to the cause of action or as to a defense to a cause of action. (CCP § 437(c), su...

Excerpt: ...t B at 67:9‐21. UMF No. 9 cites to Exhibit C at 13:3‐15 when it should cite to Exhibit B at 67:22‐25. The Court has been unable to locate evidence supporting UMF Nos. 8 and 11. This is grounds for denying the motion. (Code Civ. Proc., § 437c, subd. (b)(1) [“The supporting papers shall include a separate statement setting forth plainly and concisely all material facts that the moving party contends are undisputed. Each of the material fac...

Excerpt: ... amend as to the Fifth Cause of Action for Fraud as to Defendant Gill. To overrule the demurrers in all other respects. Plaintiffs shall have ten (10) court days in which to file and serve a Second Amended Complaint, addressing the issues noted by the Court below, if they can. All amended allegations are to be set forth in boldface typeset. Although there is a motion to strike put on calendar for Defendant Gill, it appears that no papers were fil...

Excerpt: ... To grant Breckenridge's motion for judgment on the pleadings as to the first through eleventh and thirteenth causes of action with leave to amend; to grant Breckenridge's motion as to the twelfth cause of action without leave to amend. Plaintiff shall file and serve an amended complaint in conformity herewith, within 10 days of the clerk's service of this minute order. All new allegations shall be in boldface print. Explanation: Demurrer by Free...

Excerpt: ... petitions, without prejudice. However, the court does intend to set a status conference on March 28, 2019 at 3:30 p.m. in Department 502 and require petitioners' counsel to update the court on the status of the administrative records in each case, as well as whether the cases have been set for hearings on the merits. If petitioners fail to lodge an administrative record in each case and set the cases for hearings on the merits within a reasonabl...

Excerpt: ...submitted within 5 days of notice of the ruling. Explanation: Standard of Care The appropriate standard of care required of a medical professional is not a matter of common lay knowledge. Therefore, except in cases of “egregious” medical negligence, expert medical testimony is required in medical malpractice actions to establish the standard of care required of a physician (or other health care provider) under the circumstances. See Flowers v...

Excerpt: ...deny all motions. Explanation: The motions before the court seek leave to file cross‐complaints and to amend defendants' answers. All of the proposed new and amended pleadings are premised on factual allegations postulating alleged concealment and misrepresentations by plaintiff before the moving defendants became members as to whether plaintiff was running a deficit, was mismanaged, etc. Insofar as the proposed amendments seek to assert a cros...

Excerpt: ...n for class certification and preliminary approval of settlement is proof that the matter truly is litigated as a class action, more such complex motions requiring substantial time to resolve are expected. The matter is therefore deemed complex pursuant to Rule 3.400(b)(1); the complex fees must be paid on or before February 22, 2019. 2. Class Certification a. Standards An agreement of the parties is not sufficient to establish a class for settle...

Excerpt: ...t v. County of Los Angeles (1994) 27 Cal.App.4th 125, 145.)  To sustain defendant's demurrers based upon: (1) Gurpreet's lack of capacity; (2) Jasbir's claims of negligent infliction of emotional distress which are based upon: 31‐315.2; 31‐320.5; 31‐335.1 and 31‐405 (for both mandatory duty and vicarious liability); (3) social worker liability; (4) negligent hiring; (5) acts of independent contractors; and (6) plaintiffs' allegation of...

Excerpt: ... proofs of service for the opposition indicate that it was served, by regular mail, on January 11, 2019 as required. Motion to Vacate. When an application for enforcement of a sister‐state judgment is filed, a judgment debtor has thirty days from service in which to challenge the sister‐state judgment. (Code Civ.Proc. § 1710.40 subd.(b).) Challenges to the judgment on the grounds that there was no subject matter or personal jurisdiction in t...

Excerpt: ...ego will unduly prejudice defendants; and (4) bifurcation will result in jury confusion. Plaintiffs oppose, arguing judicial economy will not be promoted because there is significant overlap between the evidence related to alter ego liability and the evidence that will be relevant to the balance of the issues. Under Code of Civil Procedure section 1048(b) the court “in furtherance of convenience or to avoid prejudice, or when separate trials wi...

Excerpt: ...on for sanctions without prejudice. Plaintiff has not successfully made a motion. Explanation: The evidence presented is insufficient to support the motion. All that need be shown in the moving papers is that the discovery was properly served on the opposing party, that the time to respond has expired, and that no response of any kind has been served. (See Leach v. Sup.Ct. (1980) 111 CA3d 902, 905–906.) Plaintiff has failed to provide evidence ...

Excerpt: ...in the name of a party, or a mistake in any other respect; and may, upon like terms, enlarge the time for answer or demurrer. The court may likewise, in its discretion, after notice to the adverse party, allow, upon any terms as may be just, an amendment to any pleading or proceeding in other particulars...” (Code Civ. Proc., § 473, subd. (a).) “ ‘Code of Civil Procedure section 473, which gives the courts power to permit amendments in fur...

Excerpt: ... a writ of possession concerning personal property identified as a “Vatech PAX‐I 3D Green 15X15, Mfg. #30P15X15, Master Serial Number 055‐0991” which is valued at $32,100. Plaintiff contends that the equipment was delivered to 5151 N. Palm Ave. Suite 320, in Fresno, CA, pursuant to an Equipment Finance Agreement and that the Defendants are in default of the Agreement by failing to make monthly payments. Whether a writ of possession is to ...

Excerpt: ... order. Explanation: A prevailing buyer in an action under the Song–Beverly Consumer Warranty Act “shall be allowed by the court to recover as part of the judgment a sum equal to the aggregate amount of costs and expenses, including attorney's fees based on actual time expended, determined by the court to have been reasonably incurred by the buyer in connection with the commencement and prosecution of such action.” (Civ. Code, § 1794, ...

Excerpt: ...planation: 1. Objections to Evidence The Court sustains that part of plaintiff's objection no. 1 on the basis of hearsay. All other objections made by plaintiff are overruled. The Court did not consider objections by defendant as defendant's moving papers failed to carry its burden on any issue except for the legal question of fiduciary duty. 2. Disputed Facts Facts Nos. 1, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 26, 27, 28, and 32 are disputed. A...

Excerpt: ...osing the motion unless the court finds that the other party acted with substantial justification or that other circumstances make the imposition of attorney's fees and costs unjust.” (Emphasis added.) (Code Civ. Proc., § 405.38.) Plaintiff argues that because his complaint contains a “real property claim,” he acted with substantial justification. However, the statute contemplates that in order to survive a motion to expunge, plaintiff mus...

Excerpt: ...on the ground that it fails to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action, as plaintiff has not clearly alleged which defendants were her employers, and that defendant Laura Fraser was not a licensed real estate broker and therefore could not have been an “employer” of plaintiff because only licensed real estate brokers can employ real estate agents. However, the complaint clearly alleges that, “The term ‘DEFENDANTS' shall ref...

Excerpt: ...‐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 determination by the court that the settlement was made in good faith shall bar any other joint tortfeasor or c...

Excerpt: ... deny the request for terminating sanctions. To impose monetary sanctions in the amount of $1,530. Sanctions must be paid by Defendant Jesus Hernandez to the Law Office of Robert C. Abrams within 30 days after service of this order. Explanation: Interrogatories: Code of Civil Procedure section 2030.290, subdivision (b) provides for a motion to compel where the opposing party fails to respond to written interrogatories. Further, when a party has n...

Excerpt: ...nt can be amended will run from service by the clerk of the minute order. Explanation: In the complaint a plaintiff must “plead facts showing that he may be entitled to some relief.” (Schnall v. Hertz Corp. (2000) 78 Cal.App.4th 1144, 1152.) The complaint must contain “a statement of the facts constituting the cause of action, in ordinary and concise language.” (Code Civ. Proc. § 425.10.) Plaintiff does not allege any facts in his First ...

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: ...(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: ...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: ...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: ...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: ...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: ... 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: ...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: ...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: ...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: ...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: ...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: ...he time frame specified under rule 3.1700(a)(1) of the California Rules of Court and should not be considered. California Rules of Court, rule 3.1700(a)(1) provides in pertinent part, “A prevailing party who claims costs must serve and file a memorandum of costs within 15 days after the date of mailing of the notice of entry of judgment or dismissal by the clerk under Code of Civil Procedure section 664.5 or the date of services of written noti...

Excerpt: ... If the person to whom a copy of the summons and of the complaint are mailed pursuant to this section fails to complete and return the acknowledgment form set forth in subdivision (b) within 20 days from the date of such mailing, the party to whom the summons was mailed shall be liable for reasonable expenses thereafter incurred in serving or attempting to serve the party by another method permitted by this chapter, and, except for good cause sho...

Excerpt: ...hearing or a memorandum of points and authorities, as required by California Rules of Court, Rule 3.1112, subdivision (a) (1) and (3). At best, it bears the title of “motion” and the second page includes some elements required for the motion itself: it identifies who is bringing the motion (plaintiff), the relief requested (to be allowed to file a Second Amended Complaint) and the basis for the relief sought (“due to more information found ...

Excerpt: ... (5) court days in which to file their pleading. Service is to be perfected in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure. Explanation: (Note‐ as of July 9, no opposition appears in the Court's files.) This is a complex action filed on August 2, 2016. Plaintiffs allege that they were a lender for a purchase of real estate in Contra Costa County on which they foreclosed. The site is allegedly contaminated with vario...

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....