Excerpt: ...te an auto repair business, with the oral agreement being that even though title would be taken the Morenos' names, plaintiff would make the payments on the property (mortgage, insurance, taxes, and maintenance), and the Morenos would just "hold title" in their name for plaintiff's convenience. This alleged agreement (the "Moreno Agreement") has spawned two legal action and years of litigation, with this achon commenced in 2016. At one point the ...

Excerpt: ...the property, when in fact she has a 4% interest. Also, Charmla has now passed away, so the judgment needs to be corrected to substitute her testate and intestate successors as the property owners in her place. The court does have the power to correct clerical errors in its judgment. (In re Goldberg's Estate (1938) 10 Cal.2d 709, 713- 714.) The court also retained jurisdiction to make further orders as needed to enforce the judgment. (Stipulated ...

Excerpt: ...ttlement shall be submitted to the agency at the same time that it is submitted to the court." (Lab. Code, S 2699, subd. (i)(2).) The statute does not explain what exactly the trial court should consider when reviewing a proposed PAGA settlement. However, recently the Court of Appeal in Moniz v. Adecco USA, Inc., (2021) 72 Cal.App.5th 56, did provide some guidance. The court explained that "many federal district courts have applied the 'fair, rea...

Excerpt: ...else has to be proven, with admissible evidence, in order for due process concerns to be met. The Due Clause requires that the named plaintiff at all times adequately represent the interests of the absent class (Phillips Petroleum Co. v. Shutts (1985) 472 U.S. 797, 812.) The certification pruess ensures that is the case. This is a basic constitutional requirement which applies to all class actions, federal and state. "Confronted with a request fo...

Excerpt: ...tal amount of $210 against defendant Maria Mauricio and Martinez, Dieterich & Zarcone Legal Group, jointly and severally, payable within 20 days of the date of this order, with the time to run from the service of this minute order by the clerk. To grant and to award monetary sanctions in the total amount of $630 against defendant Jose Luis Garcia Alcala and Martinez, Dieterich & Zarcone Legal Group, jointly and severally, payable within 20 days o...

Excerpt: ...nt 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 whether certifi...

Excerpt: ...es of action, for negligence and for declaratory relief. In determining a demurrer, the court assumes the truth of the facts alleged in the complaint and the reasonable inferences that may be drawn from those facts. (Miklosy v. Regents of university of California (2008) 44 Cal.4th 876, 883.) On demurrer, the court must determine if the factual allegations of the complaint are adequate to state a cause of action under any legal theory. (Barquis v....

Excerpt: ...o request 24 without objections within 20 days of the date of service of this order. Any responsive documents shall be unredacted. To deny defendant's motion for sanctions against plaintiff and her counsel. (Code Civ. Proc. S 128.7.) Explanation: Plaintiff's Motion to Compel Further Response: First, to the extent that defendant argues that the court lacks jurisdiction to hear plaintiff's motion because plaintiff's counsel did not timely serve the...

Excerpt: ... Bourn Family LLC's motions to compel for Form Interrogatories—Economic Litigation (Set One), Form Interrogatories—General (Set One), Special Interrogatories (Set One), and Request for Production (Set One). To grant defendant Bourn Family LLC's request to deem Requests for Admissions (Set One) admitted. The truth of the matters specified in the Requests for Admissions are to be deemed admitted unless plaintiff Valerie Gonzales serves, before ...

Excerpt: ...e at bench on April 9, 2021. "After six months from entry of default, a trial court may still vacate a default on equitable grounds even if statutory relief is unavailable." (Rappleyea v. Campbell, supra, 8 Cal.4th 975, 981 (Rappleyea).) Equitable grounds include extrinsic fraud and mistake. (Ibid.; Aldrich v. San Fernando Valley Lumber Co. (1985) 170 Cal.App.3d 725, 736 (Aldrich).) Although "the terms 'fraud' and 'mistake' have been given a broa...

Excerpt: ...iminary approval of the proposed settlement. An agreement of the parties is not 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...

Excerpt: ...me with certain warranties. Problems with the vehicle ensued which form the basis of the instant complaint for damages. Plaintiffs brought seven causes of acton against defendant Nissan North America, Inc. for negligent repair and failure to replace the vehicle. All of the causes of action against defendant comprise alleged breaches of Civil Code, section 1790 et seq. regarding consumer warranties, and fraud by omission that defendant was aware o...

Excerpt: ... be amended will run from service of the order by the clerk. All new allegations shall be in boldface font. Explanation: On December 29, 2016 plaintiff purchased a new 2016 Hyundai Veloster from Lithia Hyundai of Fresno, which vehicle was manufactured or distributed by defendant Hyundai Motor America ("HMA"). Problems with the vehicle ensued, specifically with the 1.6L Gamma engine, and this "lemon law" action was filed on April 13, 2021, against...

Excerpt: ... leave to amend. (Code Civ. Proc. § 430.10, subd. (e).) To grant defendants Freitas and Sea Pine Ventures' motion for judgment on the pleadings as to the first cause of action in the third amended complaint for failure to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action, without leave to amend. (Code Civ. Proc. § 438.) To deny defendants' motion as to the third cause of action. Plaintiffs shall serve and file their fourth amended complain...

Excerpt: ...ant the motions to stay. This action is stayed pending the outcome of the appeals of the judgment of the underlying matter, Nicholas Merlo v. Pristine Surgery Center, Inc., Fresno Superior Court Case No. 18CECG03026, consolidated under Appeal No. F083804. To grant defendants' requests for judicial notice. To take the demurrer and motion to compel further responses off calendar in light of the ruling on the motions to stay. The parties shall infor...

Excerpt: ...Production of Documents; and for Monetary Sanctions Tentative Ruling: To grant and to award monetary sanctions in the total amount of $750 against plaintiff Tiernan Deedon, and plaintiff's attorney Justin B. Toobi, jointly and severally, payable within 20 days of the date of this order, with the time to run from the service of this minute order by the clerk. The matters specified in defendant Mikhail Safwat, aka Safwat Michael's (“Mr. Safwat”...

Excerpt: ...ratory relief filed September 29, 2021. Plaintiffs seek to declare title to and the sale of real property in Fresno known as 7212 W. Belmont Avenue (“7212 Property”) and 7182 W. Belmont Avenue (“7182 Property”). Demurrer Generally The function of a demurrer is to test the sufficiency of a plaintiff's pleading by raising questions of law. (Plumlee v. Poag (1984) 150 Cal.App.3d 541, 545.) The test is whether plaintiff has succeeded in stati...

Excerpt: ...rifications to his responses to Special Interrogatories, Set Two and Request for Production, Set Two, no later than 30 days from the date of this order, with the time to run from the service of this minute order by the clerk. The matters specified in plaintiff's Request for Admission, Set One, are deemed admitted, unless plaintiff serves, before the hearing, a proposed response to the requests for admission that is in substantial compliance with ...

Excerpt: ...lames BBQ, pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure sections 428.10, 426.50 and 428.50.1 Defendant contends that it seeks to state a claim against a third-party, Rollin Flames, BBQ. Plaintiff opposes on the grounds that Rollin Flames BBQ is plaintiff's fictitious business name, and has always been run as a sole proprietorship. (Aguilar Decl., ¶¶ 2- 3.)2 Whether the cross-complaint states a claim against an existing party or a third-party, and thus w...

Excerpt: ...he court.” (Lab. Code, § 2699, subd. (i)(2).) The statute does not explain what exactly the trial court should consider when reviewing a proposed PAGA settlement. However, recently the Court of Appeal in Moniz v. Adecco USA, Inc., (2021) 72 Cal.App.5th 56, did provide some guidance. The court explained that “many federal district courts have applied the ‘fair, reasonable, and adequate' standard from class action cases to evaluate PAGA sett...

Excerpt: ... service by the clerk of the minute order. All new allegations in the Second Amended Complaint are to be set in bold type. To overrule the demurrer to the Second Cause of Action To sustain the demurrer to the Fifth Cause of Action. Plaintiff is given leave to amend on the condition that he is able to allege compliance with the Tort Claims Act. If plaintiff chooses to further amend, he is allowed 30 days' leave to file a Second Amended Complaint. ...

Excerpt: ...32, subd. (a).) Moreover, “[e]xcept as otherwise expressly provided by statute, a prevailing party is entitled as a matter of right to recover costs in any action or proceeding.” (Code Civ. Proc., § 1032, subd. (b).) “A prevailing party who claims costs must serve and file a memorandum of costs within 15 days after the date of service of the notice of entry of judgment or dismissal by the clerk under Code of Civil Procedure section 664.5 o...

Excerpt: ...32, subd. (a).) Moreover, “[e]xcept as otherwise expressly provided by statute, a prevailing party is entitled as a matter of right to recover costs in any action or proceeding.” (Code Civ. Proc., § 1032, subd. (b).) “A prevailing party who claims costs must serve and file a memorandum of costs within 15 days after the date of service of the notice of entry of judgment or dismissal by the clerk under Code of Civil Procedure section 664.5 o...

Excerpt: ...on, Set One Plaintiff's Motion to Compel Defendant to Provide Verifications to Form Interrogatories, Set Two Plaintiff's Motion to Compel Defendant to Provide Verifications to Special Interrogatories, Set Two Plaintiff's Motion to Compel Defendant to Provide Verifications to Requests for Production, Set Two Plaintiff's Motion to compel Defendant to Provide Verifications to Requests for Admission, Set Two Plaintiff's Motion to Compel Deposition of...

Excerpt: ....) Explanation: Petitioner California FAIR Plan Association is the insurer of the home owned by Respondent Amanda Arteno. On September 6, 2020 the home sustained fire and smoke damage and Respondent submitted a claim for the loss under the insurance policy issued by Petitioner. A contractor hired by Respondent prepared an estimate for the cost to repair the damages and return the property to its pre-loss state. The contractor's estimate is signif...

Excerpt: ... deny Defendants' motions to compel responses to form interrogatories, special interrogatories, production of documents and requests for admissions admitted, as verified responses have been provided. To grant Defendants' sanctions. Plaintiff is ordered to pay monetary sanctions in the amount of $1,325 to the Freeman Law Group within 30 days. (Code Civ. Proc. §§ 2023.010, 2033.280.) To deny Plaintiff's request for sanctions. To deny the Request ...

Excerpt: ...th and seventh causes of action in his complaint. (Code Civ. Proc. § 437c.) To deny plaintiff's motion for summary judgment as to defendants' cross-complaint. (Ibid.) Explanation: Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Adjudication of Plaintiff's Sixth and Seventh Causes of Action: Plaintiff moves for summary adjudication of the sixth and seventh causes of action of his complaint, which seek a determination that defendants Moghaddam and Najjaran are alt...

Excerpt: ...ator's award. (Code Civ. Proc., § 1285.2.) If oral argument is timely requested, the matter will be heard on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at 3:30 p.m. in Dept. 503 Explanation: Under Code of Civil Procedure section 1285, “Any party to an arbitration in which an award has been made may petition the court to confirm, correct or vacate the award.” (Code Civ. Proc., § 1285.) “A response to a petition under this chapter may request the court t...

Excerpt: ...timely requested, the matter will be heard on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at 3:30 p.m. in Dept. 503 Explanation: Under the Federal Arbitration Act (“FAA”), A written provision in … a contract evidencing a transaction involving commerce to settle by arbitration a controversy thereafter arising out of such contract or transaction, or the refusal to perform the whole or any part thereof, … shall be valid, irrevocable, and enforceable, save ...

Excerpt: ... timely requested, the matter will be heard on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at 3:30 p.m. in Dept. 503 Explanation: 1. Class Certification The court has already granted the motion for preliminary approval and certification of the class and found that the class is sufficiently numerous and ascertainable to warrant certification for the purpose of approving the settlement. There is no reason for the court to reconsider its decision granting certific...

Excerpt: ... § 1032, subd. (a).) Moreover, “[e]xcept as otherwise expressly provided by statute, a prevailing party is entitled as a matter of right to recover costs in any action or proceeding.” (Code Civ. Proc., § 1032, subd. (b).) Items of allowable costs are set forth in Code of Civil Procedure section 1033.5, subdivision (a), and disallowed costs are set forth in subdivision (b). Items not expressly mentioned in the statute “upon application may...

Excerpt: ...1. Class Certification a. Standards First, the court must determine whether the proposed class meets the requirements for certification before it can grant preliminary approval of the proposed settlement. An agreement of the parties is not 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.Ap...

Excerpt: ...ave to amend as to plaintiffs Leslie Trew and Najib Allabadi. To grant leave to amend as to plaintiff Zade Allabadi. To grant the motion to strike the prayer for attorney's fees, as improperly alleged. (Code Civ. Proc., §§ 435, 436.) To deny leave to amend to seek attorney's fees. Plaintiffs shall serve and file their first amended complaint within 10 days of the date of service of this order. All new allegations shall be in boldface. To order ...

Excerpt: ...15 Cal.App.4th 1205, 1207.) The court does not decide the merits of the issues, but merely discovers, through the medium of affidavits or declarations, whether there are issues to be tried and whether the parties possess evidence that demands the analysis of a trial. (Melamed v City of Long Beach (1993) 15 Cal.App.4th 70, 76; Molko v Holy Spirit Ass'n (1988) 46 Cal.3d 1092, 1107; Schwoerer v Union Oil Co. (1993) 14 Cal.App.4th 103, 110.) In short...

Excerpt: ... process” to include “failing to respond or submit to an authorized method of discovery” and “disobeying a court order to provide discovery.” (Code Civ. Proc. § 2030.010, subds. (d) & (g).) Code of Civil Procedure section 2023.030 states, in relevant part: To the extent authorized by the chapter governing any particular discovery method or any other provision of this title, the court, after notice to any affected party, person, or atto...

Excerpt: ...intiff's claim for violation of the Federal Locomotive Inspection Act (“LIA”), 49 U.S.C. § 20701, et seq. under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (“FELA”), 45 U.S.C. § 51, et seq. Under 45 U.S.C. section 51, Every common carrier by railroad while engaging in commerce between any of the several States or Territories, … shall be liable in damages to any person suffering injury while he is employed by such carrier in such commerce, �...

Excerpt: ...ey licensed to practice in California. Explanation: Defendants move to set aside their defaults, entered on July 25, 2022, pursuant to the discretionary relief afforded under Code of Civil Procedure section 473, subdivision (b), on the grounds of inadvertence, surprise, mistake, or excusable neglect. The court is empowered to relieve a party “upon any terms as may be just … from a judgment, dismissal, order, or other proceeding taken against ...

Excerpt: ... for summary judgment bears the initial burden to show either that one or more elements of plaintiff's cause of action cannot be established or that there is a complete defense thereto. (Code Civ. Proc. § 437c, subd. (o)(2). Aguilar v. Atlantic Richfield (2001) 25 Cal.4th 826, 850.) If defendant carries this initial burden of production, the burden of production shifts to plaintiff to show that a triable issue of material fact exists. Plaintiff ...

Excerpt: ...al.App.2d 528. In Oliver v. The Swiss Club Tell, supra, 222 Cal.App.2d 528, 533, an unincorporated association was sued and answered, stating the answer was on behalf of the “The Swiss Club Tell,” an unincorporated association, “if any such organization exists.” (Ibid. at 533.) Plaintiff failed to appear at the hearing where summary judgment was granted to defendant. That judgment was reversed on appeal and the court held the case should ...

Excerpt: ...ts on appeal, seeking $91.10 for Item 1 filing fees, and $1,363.68 for Item 6 “Transmitting, filing, and serving of record, briefs, and other papers.” CVC moves to tax Item 6, contending this cost is excessive and unreasonable because “[i]t is impossible to determine from the face of the Memorandum of Costs why the claimed costs are in excess of the amounts listed on the Appellate Court Register of Actions page for the case and whether the ...

Excerpt: ...e a cause of action, without leave to amend. (Code Civ. Proc. § 430.10, subd. (e).) To overrule the demurrer of defendants California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) and Tveritina to the first cause of action. To sustain the demurrer of CCHCS and Tveritina to the second cause of action, for failure to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action. To deny leave to amend the second cause of action as to CCHCS, but to grant leav...

Excerpt: ...ting a real property claim. (Code Civ. Proc., § 405.1.) A real property claim is an action, “which would, if meritorious, affect … title to, or the right of possession of, specific real property ….” (§ 405.4.) In addition to grounds not asserted here, a lis pendens may be ordered expunged upon a finding that the claimant cannot establish probable validity to their claim. (Code Civ. Proc., § 405.32; Defs. Points & Auth. at p. 5:13‐18....

Excerpt: ...defendant's failure to demonstrate compliance with Code of Civil Procedure section 439, subdivision (a), which requires defendant to meet and confer prior to filing a motion for judgment on the pleadings. The parties must engage in good faith meet and confer, in person or by telephone. (Code Civ. Proc. § 439, subd. (a).) The court's normal practice is to take such motions off calendar, subject to being re‐calendared once the parties have met a...

Excerpt: ...ce to support the requested amount of fees and costs. (Code Civ. Proc. § 405.38.) Explanation: Under Code of Civil Procedure section 405.30, any party, or any nonparty with an interest in real property affected by a lis pendens, can move to expunge the lis pendens at any time after the notice of pendency of action has been recorded. (Code Civ. Proc. § 405.30.) “Evidence or declarations may be filed with the motion to expunge the notice. The c...

Excerpt: ...sses, the ends of justice, or the economy and efficiency of handling the litigation would be promoted thereby, on motion of a party, after notice and hearing, make an order … that the trial of any issue or any part thereof shall precede the trial of any other issue or any part thereof in the case….” (Code Civ. Proc., § 598.) Similarly, Code of Civil Procedure section 1048 provides that “[t]he court, in furtherance of convenience or to av...

Excerpt: ...ard on Friday, November 13, 2020, at 8.30 a.m., in Dept. 54. Explanation: Demurrer ‐ General Standard of Ruling “The rule governing pleading in this state is that a plaintiff need only ‘set forth the ultimate facts constituting the cause of action, not the evidence by which [the] plaintiff proposes to prove those facts' [Citation].” (Knox v. Dean (2012) 205 Cal.App.4th 417, 431.) Further, “[w]e treat the demurrer as admitting all materi...

Excerpt: ... Foster Farms' motion for summary judgment. Defendant Foster Farms is directed to submit to this court, within 5 days of service of the minute order, a judgment consistent with the court's order. Explanation: In the case at bar, plaintiff alleges six causes of action: (1) discrimination on the basis of race/nationality and disability in violation of the FEHA; (2) failure to provide reasonable accommodations [FEHA]; (3) failure to engage in intera...

Excerpt: ...nsideration being paid for the release of those claims represents a reasonable compromise.” (Kullar v. Foot Locker Retail, Inc. (2008) 168 Cal. App. 4th 116, 133.) In Clark v. American Residential Services, LLC (2009) 175 Cal. App. 4th 785, the Court of Appeal stated that, “[the] court [must] receive and consider sufficient information on a core legal issue, affecting the strength of the case for plaintiffs on the merits, to make the requisit...

Excerpt: ...ich must state whether the inspection will be allowed, pose objections, or represent that responding party is unable to permit the inspection. Code of Civil Procedure section 2031.210 and 2031.220. That response has to be under oath. Code of Civil Procedure section 2031.250. The response is due in 30 days from service of the demand for inspection. Code of Civil Procedure section 2031.260. Failure to provide a timely response usually results in a ...

Excerpt: ...the settlement.” (Code Civ. Proc., § 664.6.) When deciding whether to enter judgment pursuant to section 664.6, the court is empowered to conduct a mini trial on the enforceability of the settlement agreement. Courts may adjudicate disputed facts and “entertain challenges to the actual terms of the stipulation.” (Fiore v. Alvord (1985) 182 Cal.App.3d 561, 566 [statute's express authorization for trial courts to determine if a settlement oc...

Excerpt: ...entered by Plaintiff Arcarius, LLC, on two grounds: first, that because the foreign state judgment was based on a confession of judgment it violates Due Process; and, second, Plaintiff's use of the confession of judgment was “premature and wrongful,” because Defendants were not in default at the time of the entry of judgment. Defendants also appear to make an argument that they were not afforded “service of process, notice and a right to be...

Excerpt: ...t itself states the following: By virtue of Resident's consent, instruction and/or durable power of attorney, I hereby certify that I am authorized to act as Resident's agent in executing and delivering of this arbitration agreement. I acknowledge that the Facility is relying on this representation. However, defendant bore the burden of establishing a valid agreement to arbitrate. (Pagarigan v. Libby Care Center, Inc. (2002) 99 Cal.App.4th 298, 3...

Excerpt: ... proposed amended judgment consistent with the court's order. Explanation: Every case may only have one final judgment. Generally, in order to be considered “final,” a judgment must adjudicate the claims asserted in both a complaint and cross‐complaint. (Nicholson v. Henderson (1944) 25 Cal.2d 375, 381.) Here, Left Coast seeks dismissal of the cross‐complaint, so that it may have one final judgment. This court is inclined to grant Left Co...

Excerpt: ...he alternative motion for summary adjudication. (Code Civ. Proc. § 437c.) To grant defendant Dycora's motion for summary judgment as to the entire complaint. (Ibid.) Dycora shall submit a proposed judgment consistent with the court's order within 10 days of the date of this order. Explanation: Beverly Healthcare's Motion: Beverly argues that plaintiff lacks the capacity to sue and has no attorney, conservator, or guardian ad litem, and therefore...

Excerpt: ...id acts of unlawful sexual conduct by Bispham. Johnson moves to quash the summons on the ground the court lacks personal jurisdiction over him because he lives in Washington State and no longer has continuing contacts with California. Where jurisdiction is challenged by a non‐resident defendant, the burden of proof is upon the plaintiff to demonstrate that “minimum contacts” exist between defendant and the forum state to justify imposition ...

Excerpt: ...ll be in boldface type font. Explanation: “ ‘We treat the demurrer as admitting all material facts properly pleaded, but not contentions, deductions or conclusions of fact or law. [Citation.] We also consider matters which may be judicially noticed.' [Citation.] Further, we give the complaint a reasonable interpretation, reading it as a whole and its parts in their context. [Citation.]” (Blank v. Kirwan (1985) 39 Cal.3d 311, 318.) Third Cau...

Excerpt: ...orders the Clerk to strike the defaults entered against the Defendants on the grounds that the various discrepancies in the proofs of service render them defective. Each proof of service indicates that Defendants were served at a business located at 1236 W. Shaw Ave., Fresno CA 93711. However, the declarations of diligence (which is on a document entitled “Non Service Report”) for each defendant describes this as a residential address. Furthe...

Excerpt: ...n the FAC for failure to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action. HMA argues that plaintiff has not adequately alleged facts showing that plaintiff's failed transmission was a part that should have been covered under the Extended Emissions System Warranty mandated by California law, which requires parts for emissions systems in Partial Zero Emissions Vehicles (PZEV's) to be warranted for 15 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes f...

Excerpt: ... administrator must be submitted with the proposed notice. Plaintiff is to pay for the notice, subject to recovery of the sums paid as costs. Explanation: 1. Records Lodged Under Seal The Court has not been presented with any order or agreement for sealing of materials in this case. No motion has been filed. The Court's review of the materials shows no basis for sealing the motion or points and authorities, and those shall be placed in the public...

Excerpt: ...the general demurrers with leave to amend. To grant the motion to strike. Plaintiffs shall file and serve a Third Amended Complaint in conformity herewith within 10 days of the clerk's mailing of this minute order. New allegations shall be in boldface type font. Explanation: Demurrer: “ ‘We treat the demurrer as admitting all material facts properly pleaded, but not contentions, deductions or conclusions of fact or law. [Citation.] We also co...

Excerpt: ... Cal.App.4th 1042, 1049.) However, “[u]nsigned invoices . . . cannot on their own create a contract or add terms to a contract.” (C9 Ventures v. SVC‐West, L.P. (2012) 202 Cal.App.4th 1483, 1501, see also India Paint & Lacquer Co. v. United Steel Products Corp. (1954) 123 Cal.App.2d 597, 607‐608 [““[t]he prevailing rule is that an invoice, standing alone, is not a contract . . . and a buyer is ordinarily not bound by statements thereon...

Excerpt: ...ing summary judgment in favor of defendants Abolnik, Galamgam, and Nwaka and denying plaintiff's cross‐motion for summary judgment. (Code Civ. Proc. § 1008.) Explanation: “[A]fter entry of judgment, a trial court has no further power to rule on a motion for reconsideration. ‘A court may reconsider its order granting or denying a motion and may even reconsider or alter its judgment so long as judgment has not yet been entered. Once judgment...

Excerpt: ... Kaur has filed this motion to set aside the default entered by this Court. The Court's files show that a proof of service was filed with the Court on July 17, 2019 indicating that Defendant Kaur was served by substitute service on June 7, 2019, with the papers mailed to Defendant on June 10, 2019. Default was entered on July 23, 2019. Defendant filed her papers in support of the motion to set aside the default on November 12, 2019. It appears fr...

Excerpt: ...stodial officer personnel records and records maintained by any state or local agency pursuant to section 832.5, or any information obtained from these records, are confidential and shall not be disclosed in any criminal or civil proceeding except by discovery pursuant to Sections 1043 and 1046 of the Evidence Code.” Evidence Code section 1043 requires a noticed motion which identifies the records sought, and “affidavits showing good cause fo...

Excerpt: ...to comply with Code of Civil Procedure §431.30, subdivision (g). In all other respects, the demurrer is overruled. Defendant shall have ten (10) court days from the date of this order to file an amended answer. 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. Supe...

Excerpt: ...eny all three motions for summary judgment. (Code Civ. Proc. § 437c.) Explanation: Bowman's Motion: Defendant Ashley Bowman moves for summary judgment of the entire complaint, contending that there is no evidence that she breached the standard of care or caused plaintiff's injuries, and that even if there were such evidence, she is statutorily immune from liability in the absence of evidence of gross negligence or bad faith. Under Health and Saf...

Excerpt: ...court, within five days of service of the minute order, a proposed judgment consistent with the court's summary judgment order. Explanation: The operative pleading, the Second Amended Complaint (“SAC”) alleges five causes of action arising out of the foreclosure of a four‐unit residential property owned by plaintiff: 1. Violation of Homeowners Bill of Rights; 2. Breach of Contract; 3. Breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing; 4. Ne...

Excerpt: ...d serve its answer to the Second Amended Complaint within 10 days of the clerk's mailing of this minute order. Explanation: Demurrer: “ ‘We treat the demurrer as admitting all material facts properly pleaded, but not contentions, deductions or conclusions of fact or law. [Citation.] We also consider matters which may be judicially noticed.' [Citation.] Further, we give the complaint a reasonable interpretation, reading it as a whole and its p...

Excerpt: ...ible. (Shaw v. Regents of Univ. of California (1997) 58 Cal.App.4th 44, 52.) However, interpretation of a written document is a question of law for the trial court to determine, only where extrinsic evidence is unnecessary. (Temple v. Velcro USA, Inc. (1983) 148 Cal.App.3d 1090, 1095.) In other words, interpretation is appropriate where the language is clear, understandable and completely unambiguous. (Ibid.) “When the meaning of contractual la...

Excerpt: ...nt of the entire complaint on the ground that there is no evidence that they acted in a grossly negligent manner or in bad faith. They point out that, under Health and Safety Code section 1799.106, “[A] firefighter, police officer or other law enforcement officer, EMT‐I, EMT‐II, EMT‐P, or registered nurse who renders emergency medical services at the scene of an emergency or during an emergency air or ground ambulance transport shall only...

Excerpt: ...SongBeverly – breach of express warranty; (2) violation of Song‐Beverly – breach of implied warranty; and (3) violation of Song‐ Beverly Section 1793.2. In response thereto, defendant General Motors LLC (hereafter “GM”) moves for summary judgement or adjudication. GM makes the same argument with regard to the complaint as a whole, as well as to each cause of action individually. GM argues that prior to litigation, it made a statutoril...

Excerpt: ...extent the request is directed at the existence of the documents and not the truth of the factual findings contained therein. (Evid. Code § 452(d); Steed v. Department of Consumer Affairs (2012) 204 Cal.App.4th 112, 120 [“Judicial notice is properly taken of the existence of a factual finding in another proceeding, but not of the truth of that finding.”].) Special Motion to Strike The Anti‐SLAPP Statute. “A SLAPP suit—a strategic lawsu...

Excerpt: ...de Civ. Proc. § 437c(f)(1).) To deny Mazda Motor Corporation' (“MC”) motion for summary adjudication of plaintiffs' claim for punitive damages. (Code Civ. Proc. § 437c(f)(1).) Explanation: In light of plaintiffs' statement of non‐opposition to MNAO's motion for summary adjudication, the motion will be granted for the reasons stated in the moving papers. MC moves for summary adjudication of plaintiffs' claim for punitive damages on two gro...

Excerpt: ...ive damages, plaintiffs can then discover their financial information. To that end, since trial is set for a date in the very near future, defendants are ordered to have this information efficiently organized and ready to produce at trial if necessary, so as to minimize any delay in the conduct of the trial. Explanation: Civil Code section 3295, subdivision (c) permits pretrial discovery of a defendants' financial information for purposes of obta...

Excerpt: ...ruary 20, 2020, at 3:00 p.m. in Department 501. On or before this date, plaintiff FRI must file a Substitution of Attorney evidencing that it has hired counsel, and said attorney must also appear on its behalf at the status hearing. If there is no substitution of attorney or appearance at the hearing, the court will dismiss FRI's four causes of action raised in the FAC. Explanation: Motion for Reconsideration The motion for reconsideration must b...

Excerpt: ... Civil Procedure § 437c(c).) If the defendant carries this initial burden of production, the burden of production shifts to plaintiff to show that a triable issue of material fact exists. (Aguilar v. Atlantic Richfield (2001) 25 Cal.4th 826, 852.) “‘Summary judgment is granted when there is no triable issue as to any material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.'” (Lopez v. Superior Court (1996) 45 Cal.App....

Excerpt: ...an be used to: “(a) Strike out any irrelevant, false, or improper matter inserted in any pleading”; or “(b) Strike out all or any part of any pleading not drawn or filed in conformity with the laws of this state, a court rule, or an order of the court.”(Code Civ.Proc. §§ 431.10, subd.(b); 436, subd.(a).) A court will “read allegations of a pleading subject to a motion to strike as a whole, all parts in their context, and assume their ...

Excerpt: ...ause of action. To deny the motion to strike allegations concerning punitive damages. To grant the motion to strike the prayer for attorney's fees. Explanation: Demurrer: First Cause of Action – Quiet Title A cause of action for quiet title must be verified and include the following: 1) a description of the real property that is the subject of the action, including both the legal description and street address; 2) the title or interest of the p...

Excerpt: ...sted in the deposition notice shall be provided no later than 30 days from the date of this order. To deny the moving party's request for monetary sanctions. To grant the motion for leave to file a First Amended Complaint. The plaintiff is granted 10 days leave to file the proposed First Amended Complaint. The time in which the complaint can be amended will run from service by the clerk of the minute order. Explanation: Motion to Compel An order ...

Excerpt: .... To impose monetary sanctions against defendant General Motors LLC, in the amount of $810. Payment shall be made to the Knight Law Group within 30 days of the clerk's service of this minute order. Explanation: Disobeying a court order to provide discovery is a misuse of the discovery process. (Code Civ. Proc., § 2023.010, subd. (g).) Courts may impose a monetary sanctions for misuse of the discovery process. (Code Civ. Proc., § 2023.030, subd....

Excerpt: ...g Materials Co. Tentative Ruling: To overrule all special demurrers. To overrule all general demurrers to the fourth through eighth causes of action. To sustain the general demurrers to the second and third causes of action with leave to amend. To grant the motions to strike allegations relating to punitive damages with leave to amend. To deny the balance of the motions to strike. The plaintiffs shall file and serve a Second Amended Complaint wit...

Excerpt: ...ivil Procedure § 664.6 provides, in pertinent part, as follows: If parties to pending litigation stipulate . . . orally before the court, for settlement of the case, or part thereof, the court, upon motion, may enter judgment pursuant to the terms of the settlement. If requested by the parties, the court may retain jurisdiction over the parties to enforce the settlement until performance in full of the terms of the settlement. Here, there is no ...

Excerpt: ...including both its legal description and its street address; 2) all interests the plaintiff has or claims in the property; 3) all interests of record or actually known to the plaintiff, and all persons plaintiff “reasonably believes will be materially affected by the action, whether the names of such persons are known or unknown to the plaintiff” (i.e., this includes “persons unknown to be served by publication); 4) the estate as to which p...

Excerpt: ...and may name as respondents any other person bound by the arbitration award. (Code Civ. Proc., §1285.) A petition shall: (a) set forth the substance or have attached a copy of the agreement to arbitrate unless the petitioner denies the existence of such an agreement; (b) set forth the names of the arbitrators; and (c) set forth or have attached a copy of the award and the written opinion of the arbitrators, if any. (Code Civ. Proc., §1285.4.) I...

Excerpt: ...§ 1987.1; 2020.220.) Patient A shall appear for his deposition within 15 days of the date of service of this order. To deny defendants' request for an evidence sanction barring the use of Patient A's testimony if he fails to appear for his deposition, as there is no statutory authority for such sanctions as to a non‐ party witness. However, Patient A may be subject to other sanctions, including contempt of court, if he fails to appear for his ...

Excerpt: ...tive, summary adjudication on the Complaint filed by Plaintiff Felix Rocha. Mr. Rocha filed a complaint on January 16, 2018 alleging injuries from a motor vehicle accident and general negligence. The injuries were alleged to have occurred on January 18, 2016 and stemmed from the negligent operation of one of Defendant Mid Valley Disposal's fork lift trucks by co‐Defendant Toby Taylor. To obtain summary judgment, “all a defendant needs to do i...

Excerpt: ...the completion of arbitration. Explanation: The parties have agreed to submit plaintiff's claims to arbitration pursuant to a Dispute Resolution Agreement. The parties are in disagreement as to the interpretation of paragraph 5 of the Agreement, and have stipulated to have the court resolve the issue. Paragraph 5 provides: Arbitration will be conducted within the county in which the employee works for CMC or last worked for CMC unless all parties...

Excerpt: ...spect to causes of action: four (breach of oral contract), five (breach of implied‐infact), and six (promissory estoppel). To deny defendant's motion to strike plaintiff's prayer for costs. To deny defendant's motion to strike plaintiff's prayer for restitution. Plaintiff is granted ten days' leave to amend. All changes must be in bold. The time in which an amendment may be filed will run from service by the clerk of the minute order. Explanati...

Excerpt: ...ken against him or her through his or her mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect.” (Code Civ. Proc., § 473, subd. (b); Lorenz v. Commercial Accept. Ins. Co. (1995) 40 Cal.App.4th 981, 989.) In other words, to secure relief, the moving party must present a reasonable excuse as to why she was prevented from presenting her case to the court. (See Wilcox v. Ford (1988) 206 Cal.App.3d 1170, 1176; Guenter v. Lomas & Nettleton Co. (198...

Excerpt: ...iff to call for oral argument. If defendant does not call for oral argument, this Tentative Ruling will be adopted without continuance. Explanation: Proof of Service Issue: One of the arguments plaintiff made was that the motion was not timely served. The original proof of service attached to the Notice of Motion attempts to indicate personal service of the papers on May 28, 2019 – which would be two days before the 75‐day deadline given in C...

Excerpt: ... days of the date of service of this order. Explanation: Defendants argue that plaintiff expressly assumed the risk of being hit by a foul ball when he purchased his ticket for the game. The ticket contained an express release which stated, “Holder of this ticket assumes all risks incidental to the game of baseball, including specifically (but not exclusively) the danger of being injured by thrown or batted balls. Holder agrees that the Fresno ...

Excerpt: ...�The court may, in its discretion, after notice to the adverse party, allow, upon any terms as may be just, an amendment to any pleading[.]” (Code Civ. Proc. §473(a)(1).) “[L]eave to amend a pleading should be liberally granted as long as there is no timeliness problem under a statute of limitations or prejudice to the opposing party. [Citations.]” (Harris v. City of Santa Monica (2013) 56 Cal.4th 203, 240; Glaser v. Meyers (1982) 137 Cal....

Excerpt: ...any generally applicable venue statutes, but relies, in principle part, on Welfare and Institutions Code §§6600, et seq. and, specifically, section 6601, subdivision (i) (effective January 1, 2019). A plaintiff's (or, in this case, a Petitioner's) choice of venue is presumptively valid, and a party moving to transfer venue bears the burden of demonstrating that the plaintiff's chosen venue is improper. (Battaglia Enterprises, Inc. v. Superior C...

Excerpt: ...Peel | Garcia within 30 days of the clerk's service of this minute order. Explanation: Disobeying a court order to provide discovery is a misuse of the discovery process. (Code Civ. Proc., § 2023.010.) And courts may impose a terminating sanction for misuse of the discovery process. (Code Civ. Proc., § 2023.030.) But before imposing a terminating sanction, courts should usually grant lesser sanctions: e.g., orders staying the action until defen...

Excerpt: ...sic fraud or mistake. (Olivera v. Grace (1942) 19 Cal.2d 570, 576‐578; Sporn v. Home Depot USA, Inc. (2005) 126 Cal.App.4th 1294, 1300; Bae v. T.D. Service Co. (2016) 245 Cal.App.4th 89, 97.) With regard to extrinsic mistake however, relief will be denied if the complaining party's negligence permitted the mistake to occur. Kulchar v. Kulchar (1969) 1 Cal.3d 467, 473; Manson, Iver & York v. Black (2009) 176 Cal.App.4th 36, 47; see also Wils...

Excerpt: ...ourt days of this order. 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 pleading that are...

Excerpt: ...nce of justice, and on any terms as may be proper, allow a party to amend any pleading ... ” (Code Civ. Proc. § 473(a)(1).) The court's discretion will usually be exercised liberally to permit amendment of the pleadings. (See Nestle v. Santa Monica (1972) 6 Cal.3d 920, 939; Mabie v. Hyatt (1998) 61 Cal.App.4th 581, 596; Howard v. County of San Diego (2010) 184 Cal.App.4th 1422, 1428.) Plaintiffs have largely complied with Code of Civil pro...

Excerpt: ...to the plaintiff, determines that no reasonable person would conclude the condition created a substantial risk of injury when such property is used with due care in a manner which is reasonably foreseeable that it would be used.” (Sambrano v. City of San Diego (2001) 94 Cal.App.4th 225, 234, internal citations and quotation marks omitted; see also Swaner v. Santa Monica (1984) 150 Cal.App.3d 789, 799.) “In making the determination of whether ...

Excerpt: ...t to the applicable Local Rules and the court will reset the trial at that time. Explanation: “The court may, in furtherance of justice, and on such terms as may be proper, allow a party to amend any pleading.” (Code Civ. Proc. § 473; see also, § 576.) There is generally a strong policy in favor of allowing a plaintiff to amend the complaint. (Glaser v. Meyers (1982) 137 Cal.App.3d 770, 776‐777.) Judicial policy favors resolution of all d...

Excerpt: ...served on 10/3/18. This motion must be served within 45 days after service of a verified response (extended if served by mail, overnight delivery or fax or electronically; see Code Civ. Proc. § 1010.6(a)(4), 1013). Otherwise, the demanding party waives the right to compel any further response to the discovery. (Code Civ. Proc. §§ 2030.300(c), 2031.310(c), 2016.050; see Sperber v. Robinson (1994) 26 Cal.App.4th 736, 745.) The 45‐day time limi...