Excerpt: ... against p laintiff Malik Powe payable no later than 20 days from the date of this order, with time to run from the service of this minute order by the clerk. Explanation: Code of Civil Procedure section 2023.010(g) makes “[d]isobeying a court order to provide discov ery” a “misuse of the discovery process,” but sanctions are only authorized to the extent permitted by each discovery procedure. Once a motion to compel answers is granted, c...

Excerpt: ...d prayer for relief items 1, 3 and 8, without leave to amend. (Code Civ. Proc., § 436.) Cross -defendants shall file their answer to the FACC within 10 days of service of the order by the clerk. Explanation: Demurrer Plaintiff's personal injury complaint alleges cause s of action for premises liability and negligence against Fresno -Bullard Park I Owners' Association (“Fresno -Bullard”). Fresno -Bullard has filed a cross -complaint against...

Excerpt: ...owing that “the health of the party is such that a preference is necessary to prevent prejudicing the party's interest in the litigation.” (Code Civ. Proc., § 36, subd. (a)(2).) According to plaintiffs' attorney, Mr. Cleveland “suffers from age -related decline in health, suffers from increasing deterioration of his spinal column having had microdisectomy with a fusion surgery scheduled sometime in the summer 2024 and is in the final stag...

Excerpt: ...ent 403. Explanation: A plaintiff may request a continuance by filing a declaration explaining why further discovery is essential to opposing the motion for summary judgment and why additional time is needed. (Code Civ. Proc., § 437c, subd. (h); Combs v. Skyriver Communications, Inc. (2008) 159 Cal.App.4th 1242, 1270.) The declaration must show facts that establish a likelihood that evidence may exist which would create a triable issue of fact,...

Excerpt: ...es for a n order directing the sheriff to seize 31 items of property (mostly shipping containers and helicopter manufacturing equipment) from Hiller at 925 M Street in Firebaugh, California. This noticed motion was followed the denial of plaintiff's ex parte applic ation for the same relief. The motion is brought pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 699.030, which provides, The judgment creditor may apply to the court ex parte, or on notic...

Excerpt: ... Cal.App .4th 995, 999.) As in demurrers, grounds for the motion must appear on the face of the challenged pleading or on facts which the court may judicially notice. (Saltarelli & Steponovich v. Douglas (1995) 40 Cal.App.4th 1, 5.)1 When reviewing a pleading, a demurrer or motion for judgment on the pleadings admits the truth of all material allegations and a court will “give the complaint a reasonable interpretation by reading it as a whole a...

Excerpt: ...e to amend, defendant's general demurrer to the First Amended Complaint's fifth cause of action for “Fraudulent Inducement -Concealment” on the basis that plaintiff had insufficiently pled a relationship with defendant General Motors, LLC to give rise to a duty to dis close the alleged concealed material facts regarding plaintiff's vehicle. On December 14, 2023 plaintiff filed the Second Amended Complaint (“SAC”) which is now the subjec...

Excerpt: ... adm itted that plaintiff's injuries were caused entirely by defendant's and its employee Daniel Willard's negligence, that plaintiff did not contribute to the accident through her own negligence, and that no third party contributed to the accident. As plainti ff points out, the court previously granted an order deeming STA to have admitted the truth of the matters in the requests for admission after defendant failed to verify its responses. (See...

Excerpt: ...that a ground for denial of the motion exists (e.g., fraud, unconscionability, etc.) (Hotels Nevada v. L.A. Pacific Center, Inc. (2006) 144 Cal.App.4th 754, 758.) Unless there is a dispute over authenticity, the mere recitation of the terms is sufficient for a party to move to compel arbitration. (Sprunk v. Prisma LLC (2017) 14 Cal.App.5th 785, 793.) The moving party has the burden of proving the existence of a valid arbitration agreement. (Pinn...

Excerpt: ...s brought under Code of Civil Procedure section 418.10, which provides that the last day to file the notice of motion for a defendant who has not yet appeared in the action is when the responsive pleading to the complaint is due. However, “[t]he provisions of Sec tion 418.10 do not apply to a motion to stay or dismiss the action by a defendant who has made a general appearance.” (Code Civ. Proc., § 410.30, subd. (b).) Here, plaintiffs' comp...

Excerpt: ...Proc. § 430. 20, subd. (a) and (b).) To overrule the general and special demurrer for uncertainty to the Amended Cross -Complaint. (Code Civ. Proc. § 430,10, subd. (e) and (f).) To sustain the general and special demurrers to the first, third, fourth, and fifth cause of action. (Code Civ. Proc. § 430.10, subd. (e) and (f).) To overrule the general and special demurrers to the second cause of action. (Code Civ Proc., § 430.10, subd. (e) and ...

Excerpt: ... to def ective moving papers. Explanation: This motion arises out of a Third Amended Complaint (“TAC”) filed February 14, 2024 alleging 1) premises liability against defendant Noble Federal Credit Union and 2) dangerous condition of public property against defenda nt City of Fresno. It does not appear that defendant Noble Federal Credit Union has been served with a Summons or the Third Amended Complaint yet. Defendant City brings this demurr...

Excerpt: ...er a settl ement is within the “good faith ballpark” by considering the following factors (evaluated as of the time of the settlement): 1) a rough approximation of plaintiffs' total recovery and the settlor's proportionate liability; 2) the amount paid in settlement; 3) a recognition that a settlor should pay less in settlement than if found liable after a trial; 4) the allocation of the settlement proceeds among plaintiffs; 5) the se...

Excerpt: ... reque sting party may move for an order that the genuineness of any documents and the truth of any matters specified in the requests be deemed admitted... The court shall make this order, unless it finds that the party to whom the requests for admission have bee n directed has served, before the hearing on the motion, a proposed response to the requests for admission that is in substantial compliance with Section 2033.220.” (Code Civ. Proc.,...

Excerpt: ...rring defendant. Explanation: The plaintiff, Sergio Alvarez, filed a three -page form complaint against the defendant, Iron Workers Local 155. The defendant demurs to the complaint on the grounds that the statute of limitations has expired and the complaint lacks the necessary allegations to state a cause of action. Meet and Confer The parties have complied with the obligation to meet and confer. Request for Judicial Notice Code of Civil Procedu...

Excerpt: ...ce of entry of this order in all actions, properly captioned with all case names and numbers. Other than this, all further documents shall be filed only in the lead case. The Mandatory Settlement Conference on July 25, 2024, Trial Readiness on August 23, 2024, and Jury Trial on August 26, 2024 are vacated. The court sets a Case Management Conference on 5/14/2024 at 3:30 p.m. in Department 403 to schedule a new trial date. Zoom appearance is auth...

Excerpt: ...n pend ing arbitration. Pursuant to 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 upon such grounds as exist at law or in equity for the revocation of any contract. (...

Excerpt: ...Procedure section 426.50 in support of her motion to amend, section 426.50 only applies to motions to amend crosscomplaints. Code of Civil Procedure section 426.26 is part of Article 2 of Title 6 of Part 2, which sets forth the procedures applicable to compulsory cross -complaints. Therefore, section 426.50 is not the applicable code section when seeking leave to amend a complaint. The correct code section is Code of Civil Procedure section 473, ...

Excerpt: ...s entered into after a verdict and judgment were entered. Explanation: Under Code of Civil Procedure section 877, “Where a release, dismissal with or without prejudice, or a covenant not to sue or not to enforce judgment is given in good faith before verdi ct or judgment to one or more of a number of tortfeasors claimed to be liable for the same tort, … it shall have the following effect: … It shall discharge the party to whom it is given f...

Excerpt: ...tion: D efendant American Family Connect Property & Casualty Insurance Company (“Defendant”) specially demurs the second cause of action for breach of contract of the Complaint by Plaintiffs Rawiah Alqadhi, and Akram Alqadhi, Sarah Alqadhi and Sumpula Alqadhi, by and through their guardian ad litem, Rawiah Alqadhi (collectively “Plaintiffs”) on the grounds of uncertainty. Defendant further generally demurs to the second cause of action fo...

Excerpt: ...ust provi de affidavits and other authenticated documents demonstrating competent evidence of jurisdictional facts. (BBA Aviation PLC v. Superior Court (2010) 190 Cal.App.4th 421, 428 -429.) If this is met, the defendant then has the burden of demonstrating that the exercise of jurisdiction would be unreasonable. (Snowney v. Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. (2005) 35 Cal.4th 1054, 1062.) California courts may exercise personal jurisdiction over out -...

Excerpt: ...ose of approving the settlement. There is no reason for the court to reconsider its decision granting certification of the class. Therefore, the court certifies the class for the purpose of final approval of the settlement. 2. a. Settlement Legal Standards “Wh en, as here, a class settlement is negotiated prior to formal class certification, there is an increased risk that the named plaintiffs and class counsel will breach the fiduciary ob...

Excerpt: ...fraud cause of action (cause of action “2B”), for failure to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action, without leave to amend. To sustain the demurrer to the slander cause of action, without leave to amend. To deny the motion to strike the allegations of paragraphs 11, 12, 19, and 20. To grant the motion to strike paragraphs 16, 17, 21, 22 (second sentence only), and 38 (first sentence only) from the first amended complaint. T...

Excerpt: ...dants , without leave to amend. (Code Civ. Proc., § 430.10, subd. (e).) To continue plaintiff's motion for leave to file the Fifth Amended Complaint to Wednesday, June 5, 2024, to allow time for the limited purpose of allowing plaintiff to lodge a revised propo sed pleading, deleting any and all reference to defendants Hmong Cultural New Year Celebration, Inc., Mitch Herr, Vilay Lee, Cher Yang, Xang Moua, Kayasit Ly, Vang Chong Thao, Michael He...

Excerpt: ...third an d fourth causes of action, without leave to amend. Defendant is directed to submit to this court, within 7 days of service of the minute order, a proposed judgment dismissing the third and fourth causes of action as to this defendant. Explanation: The fun ction 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...

Excerpt: ... as it pertains to punitive damages, specifically on page 3, Item No. 14(a)(2), without leave to amend. (Gov. Code, § 818.) Plaintiffs are granted 20 days' leave to file the Second Amended Complaint. The time in which the Second Amended Complaint can be amended will run from service by the clerk of the minute order. All new allegations in the Second Amended Complaint are to be set in boldface type. Explanation: Demurrer Plaintiffs' operative c...

Excerpt: ...in the amount of $1,605.00, to be paid within twenty (20) calendar days from the date of service of the minute order by the clerk. Explanation: Unverified Responses Resulting in Motions to Compel A propounding party may move for an order compelling response to its propounded interrogatories and/or demand. (Code Civ. Proc., §§ 2030.290, 2031.300.) For a motion to compel initial responses, no meet and confer is required. All that needs to be sho...

Excerpt: ... of law. (Code Civ. Proc., § 437c, subd. (p)(2); see also Aguilar v. Atlantic Richfield Co. (2001) 25 Cal.4th 826, 850.) The moving party's papers are construed strictly and the opposing party's liberally, and “any doubts as to the propriety of granting the moti on [are resolved] in favor of [the opposing party].” (Ibid.) Defendant contends that a pre -fire transaction discharged plaintiffs' loan and effectively terminated their insurable ...

Excerpt: ... (1967) 66 Cal.2d 738, 746.) An order staying discovery until expiration of the criminal statute of limitations allows plaintiff to prepare his or her action “while alleviating [defendant's] difficult choice between defending either the civil or criminal cas e.” (Pacers, Inc. v. Superior Court (1984) 162 Cal.App.3d 686, 690.) Fifth Amendment - parallel civil and criminal actions Pursuant to both the United States and California constitutions,...

Excerpt: ...der the Private Attorney General Act (“PAGA”) as defined by Labor Code section 2698 et seq., on behalf of herself and all aggrieved employees. Defendant Family Tree Farms, Inc. (“Defendant”) now seeks an order compelling Plaintiff to private arbitration of her in dividual claims, to dismiss the class action components, and to stay the representative portion of the PAGA claim. A trial court is required to grant a motion to compel arbitrat...

Excerpt: ...ortions of the First Amended Cross -Complaint To sustain the demurrer to the third cause of action, with leave to amend. (Code Civ. Proc. § 430.10, subd. (g).) To sustain the demurrer to the fourth and fifth causes of action, with leave to amend. (Code Civ. Proc. § 430.10, subd. (e).) To grant the motion to strike the prayer for attorney fees, with leave to amend. Explanation: Cross -Defendants Skyrunner Drone Light Shows, LLC, Noah Furhman, D...

Excerpt: ...ction with leave to amend. The plaintiff is granted leave of 10 days to file a fourth amended complaint, which will run from service by the clerk of the minute order. New language must be set in boldface type. Explanation: Late -Filed Opposition Although it has disc retion to refuse to consider a late filed paper (Cal. Rule of Court, rule 3.1300(d)), the court notes that plaintiffs offer a reasonably plausible excuse (see Reply to Notice of Non...

Excerpt: ...s further responses are to be served no later than April 26, 2024 by 5:00 p.m. To find moot the motion for further response to Amended Request for Production No. 76. Explanation: A motion to compel must “set forth specific facts showing good cause justifying the di scovery sought by the inspection demand.” (Code Civ. Proc., § 2031.310 (b)(1).) Absent a privilege issue or claim of attorney work product, that burden is met simply by a fact -...

Excerpt: ...he Comp laint by plaintiffs Daniel Ricky Blanco and Oscar Rudolfo Blanco (collectively “Plaintiffs”). The Complaint states two causes of action: (1) motor vehicle accident, as to defendant Edsel Antunez; and (2) negligence, as to Defendants. A trial court shall gr ant summary judgment where there are no triable issues of material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. (Code Civ. Proc. §437c(c); Schacter v. Citi...

Excerpt: ...req uires certification of a preliminary settlement class. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.769, subd. (d).) “If the court grants preliminary approval, its order must include the time, date, and place of the final approval hearing; the notice to be given to the c lass; and any other matters deemed necessary for the proper conduct of a settlement hearing. (Cal. Rules of Court, Rule 3.769, subd. (e).) “If the court has certified the action as a ...

Excerpt: ...tion. (Code Civ. Proc. § 430.10, subd. (e).) Plaintiff is granted 10 days' leave to file the First Amended Complaint, which will run from service by the clerk of the minute order. New allegations/language must be set in boldface type. To deny the motion to strike th e allegations regarding the Italian property and alleged Real Property Agreement. To find the motion to strike the allegations and prayer for punitive damages and treble damages mo...

Excerpt: ... es that “[a] person who is entitled to recover damages certain, or capable of being made certain by calculation, and the right to recover which is vested in the person upon a particular day, is entitled also to recover interest thereon from that day, excep t when the debtor is prevented by law, or by the act of the creditor from paying the debt. This section is applicable to recovery of damages and interest from any debtor, including the state...

Excerpt: ....App.4th 705, 713, quoting Code Civ. Proc. § 437c(c).) Summary judgment is properly directed toward the entire complaint and not portions thereof. (see Barnick v. Longs Drug Stores, Inc. (1988) 203 Cal.App.3d 377, 384; Khan v. Shiley, Inc. (1990) 217 Cal.App.3d 848, 858- 859.) Summary adjudication is the proper mechanism for challenging a particular, “cause of action, an affirmative defense, a claim for punitive damages, or an issue of duty.�...

Excerpt: ...deny the petition for reinstatement. Explanation: Confirm Arbitration Award Cross -Complainant Shashi Sharma (“Sharma”) seeks to confirm an arbitration award in the above matter under Code of Civil Procedure section 1285. Any party to an arbitration in which an awar d has been made may petition the court to confirm the award. (Code Civ. Proc. § 1285.) The petition shall set forth the substance of or have attached a copy of the agreement t...

Excerpt: ...epartm ent 403. Explanation: Defendant Future Clovis, Inc. dba Future Ford of Clovis (“Defendant”) moves for an order compelling plaintiffs SS Pro Flooring & Construction, Inc. and Saul Sanchez Medina (collectively “Plaintiffs”) to arbitration. A trial court is r equired to grant a motion to compel arbitration “if it determines that an agreement to arbitrate the controversy exists.” (Code Civ. Proc. § 1281.2) However, there is “no ...

Excerpt: ...elling Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America (Doe 151), Western Surety Company (Doe 152), Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland (Does 153) and North American Specialty Insurance Company (Doe 154) (hereinafter “Surety Defendants”) to arbitrate the fifth ca use of action with the claims previously ordered to arbitration or, in the alternative, to remove the claims subject to the arbitration agreement with their employer from arbi...

Excerpt: ...McMillin”). On filing the complaint, a plaintiff may apply for a writ of possession under the claim and delivery statutes. (Code Civ. Proc. § 511.010 et seq.) The plaintiff must file a written application, executed under oath and must include: (1) a showing of the basis of the plaintiff's claim, that plaintiff is entitled to possession of the claimed property, and where the claim is based on a written instrument, a copy of that instrument mu...

Excerpt: ...process of the court' constitutes contempt. (Code Civ. Proc., § 1209, subd. (a)(5).)” (Conn v. Superior Court (1987) 196 Cal.App.3d 774, 784.) “The substantive issues involved in a contempt proceeding are (1) the rendition of a valid order, (2) actual knowledge of the order, (3) ability to comply, and (4) willful disobedience. [Citation.]” (Ibid.) The contemnor must also be served with the Order to Show Cause (“OSC”) for Contempt in th...

Excerpt: ...ts shall submit a proposed judgment consistent with the court's ruling within ten (10) days from the date of this order. Explanation: Summary Judgment A trial court shall grant summary judgment where there are no triable issues of material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. (Code Civ. Proc., §437c, subd. (c); Schacter v. Citigroup (2009) 47 Cal.4th 610, 618.) The moving party bears the initial burden of product...

Excerpt: ...: Judgment on the Pleadings A motion for judgment on the pleadings has the same function as a general demurrer but is made after the time for demurrer has expired, and so the rules governing demurrers apply. (Cloud v. Northrop Grumman Corp. (1998) 67 Cal.App.4 th 995, 999.) As in demurrers, grounds for the motion must appear on the face of the challenged pleading or on facts which the court may judicially notice. (Saltarelli & Steponovich v. Doug...

Excerpt: ... 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.) “In proceedings under this chapter, the court shal l order the notice expunged if the court finds that the pleading on which the notice is based does not contain a real property claim.” (Code Civ. Proc., § 405.31.) In addition, “the court shall order th...

Excerpt: ... -day lea ve to amend period. The time in which the answer can be amended will run from service by the clerk of the minute order. Explanation: Defendant MB, a limited liability company, filed its Answer to the Complaint on December 12, 2022. The answer was si gned by legal counsel at that time, but on December 20, 2022 MB filed a substitution of attorney, relieving its former attorney as counsel and substituting itself as legal representative. ...

Excerpt: ...o the Second Amended Complaint. The time in which the answers can be filed will run from service by the clerk of the minute order. To sustain the demurrers by both defendants as to the second cause of action, without leave to amend. Defendants are directed to submit to this court, within 7 days of service of the minute order, a proposed judgment dismissing the second cause of action as to both defendants. To grant the motion to strike the prayer...

Excerpt: ...n: Defendant demurs to the third cause of action for fraud on the ground that plaintiff fails to state facts sufficient to state a cause of action. Stating a Fraud Cause of Action “ ‘The elements of fraud, which give rise to the tort action for deceit, are (a) misrepresentation (false representation, concealment, or nondisclosure); (b) knowledge of falsity (or “scienter”); (c) intent to defraud, i.e., to induce reliance; (d) justifiable ...

Excerpt: ...es. Any objections included in those response are stricken, as all objections are waived due to the failure to serve timely responses. (Code Civ. Proc., §§ 2030.290, subd. (a), 2031.300, subd. (a), 2033.280, subd. (a).) To deny the request for monetary san ctions. Explanation: On November 14, 2023, plaintiff served Form Interrogatories, Special Interrogatories, Request for Production of Documents, and Requests for Admission, all Set One, on def...