Excerpt: ...civil actions sharing a common issue of fact or law is appropriate under CCP §404.1 where it will “promote the ends of justice”, considering: LAW AND MOTION TENTATIVE RULINGS DATE: OCTOBER 8, 2020 TIME: 8:30 A.M. 2 • Whether the common issue of fact or law is predominating and significant to the litigation of each included action; • The convenience of the parties, witnesses and counsel; • The relative development of the actions and the...

Excerpt: ...ota Chapter on 3/12/19 dissolved the Chapter, making it a nonentity incapable of suing or being sued. (Defendants' Motion p.5:23, 6:26) However, Holt was decided prior to the enactment of Cal Corp Code § 18410 (effective 1/1/2006). That section provides: An unincorporated association may be dissolved by any of the following methods: (a) If the association's governing documents provide a method for dissolution, by that method. (b) If the associat...

Excerpt: ...ourt in its discretion shall regulate the order of proof]. However, Plaintiff has failed to meet his burden of demonstrating that bifurcation of the equitable causes of action for quiet title and accounting would result in judicial economy, promote justice, be more convenient to witnesses, or avoid prejudice. Plaintiff's quiet title claim is based in part on the same set of facts, and on the same legal theory (a violation of §2943 by the failure...

Excerpt: ...the Second Lien DOT; and these claims are time barred. Plaintiff's 4th, 5th and 6th causes of action for fraudulent and negligent misrepresentation and fraudulent concealment are based on the general allegation that “Defendants” misrepresented that the 2011 Loan Modification included all loans associated with the subject property. Plaintiff does not plead a specific misrepresentation by SPS; the Modification Agreement states in all caps on pa...

Excerpt: ...y or the payment of money, whether consisting of a special fund or not, and whether payable by the appellant or another party to the action. The Court in Dowling v. Zimmerman (2001) 85 Cal.App.4th 1400 stated, “[W]e interpret section CCP § 917.1(d) as requiring an appeal bond or undertaking to stay enforcement of a judgment for reasonable attorney fees and costs awarded to a prevailing SLAPP defendant under subdivision (c) of section 425.16. I...

Excerpt: ...ea for more than two years after he became a tenant. He began to clear a garden area in the backyard around the end of 2015 or beginning of 2016. Plaintiff's wife did not go into the back yard area because it was not “inviting”. Forbes‐Roberts Decl., ¶ 14, Exhibit C [N.GeorgeDepo.31:11‐16; 112:20‐24.] ForbesRoberts Decl., ¶. 5, Exhibit D [F.George Depo. 33:15‐34:01; 40:5‐41 :20] Forbes‐Roberts Decl., ¶13, Exhibit B (M. Day Depo...

Excerpt: ...es the motion of defendants Rushmyfile, Inc., FMC Lending, Inc., and Andrew Dioli to seal court records. Background: On May 17, 2019, a jury returned a verdict in this case, finding in favor of plaintiffs Merle Taylor and Marilyn Taylor and against defendants Robert Houston and Linda Lukas on claims for fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and abuse of an elder. The jury awarded economic damages of $455,827 and non-economic damages of $100,000. As to...

Excerpt: ...ights and duties. (Pacific Gas & E. Co. v. G. W. Thomas Drayage etc. Co. (1968) 69 Cal.2d 33, 38) However a court "is required to give 'great weight' to the conduct of the parties in interpreting the instrument before any controversy arose". (Kennecott Corp. v. Union Oil Co. (1987) 196 Cal.App.3d 1179, 1189‐1190)) A reasonable trier of fact could find that the all of the Defendants committed to make the payments to Plaintiffs called for in the ...

Excerpt: ...tract) and third (quiet title) causes of action in cross-complainant Gisela Neumann's second amended cross-complaint with leave to amend. The court overrules the demurrer to the second (elder abuse) cause of action. This ruling does permit amendment of the second cause of action in a manner consistent with this ruling. Background: This is an action to partition by sale real property located at 6175 Manzanillo Drive in Goleta. Plaintiff Andre Neum...

Excerpt: ...blishes new law on the issue of tiering. However, Save Berkeley's Neighborhoods merely summarizes existing law under Pub. Resources Code §§21094 and 21166 on when an agency may tier the environmental review of a later project from the program EIR, and when a change in the original project requires a subsequent or supplemental EIR. It relies on long established case law for its analysis of the issue. See, Sierra Club v. County of Sonoma (1992) 6...

Excerpt: ...allege create a duty on the part of BRP to protect Plaintiffs' property from the illegal improvements and encroachments by neighboring BRP members. Defendants have not contested this authority; and Plaintiffs have therefore stated a cause of action. The dispute between the parties as to the operable bylaws does not render the FAC uncertain, as Defendant asserts that the FAC clearly relies on the By ‐ Laws recorded in 1950, based on their own Re...

Excerpt: ...redit card. By accepting and using the credit card Defendant agreed to the terms and conditions detailed in the Customer Agreement and Disclosure Statement. Plaintiff activated the card and made payments on the subject account. UMF 1, 2, 3. Plaintiff's declaration ¶¶ 6,7,8,9,12; Exhibits A, B and C. 2. Plaintiff kept an account of the debts and credits on the subject account and sent monthly statements to Defendant at the address he provided, w...

Excerpt: ...conscious disregard of the probable dangerous consequences.” The court concluded that “[O]ne who willfully consumes alcoholic beverages to the point of intoxication, knowing that he thereafter must operate a motor vehicle, thereby combining sharply impaired physical and mental faculties with a vehicle capable of great force and speed, reasonably may be held to exhibit a LAW AND MOTION TENTATIVE RULINGS DATE: September 15 , 2020 TIME: 8:30 A.M...

Excerpt: ... material facts exists as to the cause of action or a defense thereto. The plaintiff shall not rely upon the allegations or denials of its pleadings to show that a triable issue of material fact exists but, instead, shall set forth the specific facts showing that a triable issue of material fact exists as to the cause of action or a defense thereto. In a declaratory relief action, the defendant's burden is to establish the plaintiff is not entitl...

Excerpt: ...sues on these motions, including sanctions. The Parties are to file a joint statement five court days before the hearing in the format set forth in CRC rule 3.1345(c) as to any remaining issues, including sanctions. One of the points to be addressed in the joint statement (if the issue cannot be resolved between the Parties) is Defendants' offer to produce their personal phones for digital imaging provided that suitable controls such as limited s...

Excerpt: ...d the bar of the two year statute of limitations for breach of an oral agreement, on 2/19/20 Plaintiffs filed the FAC alleging Defendant breached a written contract on 2/21/16. Where a party files an amended complaint and seeks to avoid the defects of a prior complaint either by omitting the facts that rendered the complaint defective or by pleading facts inconsistent with the allegations of prior pleadings, in these circumstances, the policy aga...

Excerpt: ...iled in defeating Plaintiff's attempt to obtain rescission and damages, this was not a collection action for failure to pay the Note when due. The contractual fee provision therefore does not apply. ...

Excerpt: ...by extending an existing woodpile. This paragraph provides that Defendants have the right to maintain and landscape a certain portion of the 40 ft right of way in front of their house , as long as it does not interfere with or impede the convenient use of the right of way; and that certain landscaping, including fences, is prohibited “with the exception of the area currently occupied by the ‘concrete fence' and ‘concrete footing for fence',...

Excerpt: ...me the presumption, the motion for final approval of class action settlement, award of class representative payment, class counsel fees and costs, administration fees, and PAGA payment is granted, conditioned on Class Counsel filing prior to or at the hearing a further declaration attaching a copy of any agreement that has been entered into with respect to the payment of attorney's fees. (Cal Rules of Court, Rule 3.769(b)). With respect to the cy...

Excerpt: ...Law (2019) 361 F. Supp.3d 956,973) As to finality of the interim suspension decision or order, the interim suspension was not a final administrative decision or order. Petitioner still may have been found to not be responsible for the underlying issue that led to the interim suspension during the process of the permanent suspension. (AR 025). Even if the interim suspension were a final administrative decision or order, the interim suspension proc...

Excerpt: ...ds as follows: 1. The filing fees on the Answer to the Gill complaint and on the motion for summary judgment are attributable to the Gill Plaintiffs. The motion to tax is denied as to these costs. 2. 50% of the deposition of Stephen Whitmire dealt with Mr. Whitmire's personal injuries, was not relevant to the defense of the Gill action, and is attributed to the Whitmire Plaintiffs. The remaining 50% of the Whitmire deposition was equally relevant...

Excerpt: ...Brady to be named as an additional insured on all policies of liability insurance.(UMF's 34, 36, Hutchison Dec. Ex. B.) Virginia Surety (“Virginia”) issued insurance policies to Lee's. In those policies, Virginia agreed that who is an insured included as additional insureds the persons or organizations with respect to liability arising out of Lee's work or for property damage caused in whole or in part by Lee's acts or omissions. (see the ins...

Excerpt: ...nt has met that burden, the burden shifts to the plaintiff or crosscomplainant to show that a triable issue of one or more material facts exists as to the cause of action or a defense thereto. (Cal Code Civ Proc § 437c(p)(2)) Cross‐complainants have failed to show that a triable issue of one or more material facts exists. As to UMF's 7,9, & 11, the references to the Newman declaration do not create triable issues of material fact. (There is a ...

Excerpt: ... that is protected by the anti‐SLAPP statute. (see Opposition fn. 1) If the court finds that such a showing has been made, it must then determine whether the plaintiff has demonstrated a probability of prevailing on the claim. (Navellier v. Sletten (2002) 29 Cal.4th 82, 88 .) Only a cause of action that lacks “even minimal merit” constitutes a SLAPP. (Overstock.com, Inc. v. Gradient Analytics, Inc. (2007) 151 Cal.App.4th 688, 700) Regarding...

Excerpt: ...(1997) 53 Cal. App. 4th 801. The one action rule is therefore not a bar to Plaintiff's action. Moreover, on February 14, 2020 Plaintiff and her daughters filed a consolidation of the actions filed by Plaintiff and by Ms. Hernandez, and are now proceeding to litigate their claims in a single action. The demurrer to the entire complaint based on the one action rule and misjoinder is overruled. Fraudulent/illegal marketing (5th c/a) Plaintiff has al...

Excerpt: ...ered against him or her in the action, he or she may serve and file a notice of motion to set aside the default or default judgment and for leave to defend the action. The notice of motion shall be served and filed within a reasonable time, but in no event exceeding the earlier of: (i) two years after entry of a default judgment against him or her; or (ii) 180 days after service on him or her of a written notice that the default or default judgme...

Excerpt: ...4.5 ft. gap between the parties' respective properties. Defendants are ordered to remove the new fence and the addition to the wood pile that extends it further into the 40 ft right of way than the “Wood Pile” that existed at the time of the Settlement Agreement; to pay Plaintiffs $2000 in damages for the removal of the three holly trees; and to pay Plaintiffs their attorney's fees and costs in the amount of $11,933, pursuant to the attorneys...

Excerpt: ...in the court's discretion constitute a sufficient ground for denying the motion. Cal Rules of Court, Rule 3.1350 Motion for summary judgment or summary adjudication: (d) Separate statement in support of motion (1) The Separate Statement of Undisputed Material Facts in support of a motion must separately identify: (A) Each cause of action, claim for damages, issue of duty, or affirmative defense that is the subject of the motion. Here, Defendant's...

Excerpt: ... and fence on their easement; (2) require Petitioners to either remove the gate and fence or apply for a Coastal Development Permit (CDP); and (3) impose civil penalties if Plaintiffs refuse to remove the gate and fence to allow public access to Twin Lakes State Beach. Petitioners seek a writ of mandate directing the County and the Coastal Commission to (1) withdraw demands for the retraction of their LAW AND MOTION TENTATIVE RULINGS DATE: July 3...

Excerpt: ...ur large joint venture projects. Plaintiffs allege that Defendants misrepresented that the “reasonably possible additional costs” of these projects were at most $47 million for 2018; and that Defendants made additional misleading statements as to its “economic outlook in general”, its “exceptional management of risks”, and other expressions of corporate optimism. Plaintiffs further allege that Defendants failed to disclose that it had...

Excerpt: ...s a result of the pandemic, it would not be appropriate to approve a settlement that includes performance of financial terms that are now impossible to perform as that settlement would not be reasonable. Defendant suggests that the court exercise equitable powers to impose a new financial term. The court declines to do so. The parties are directed to meet and confer regarding whether they wish to return to litigation or settlement negotiations. o...

Excerpt: ...ise to a duty to act. Regents v Univ.of Calif. V Sup. Ct. (2018) 4 Cal. 5th 607, 669. The FAC alleges that Defendant participated in the plan for a Crossover Ceremony, which included rituals involving the provision of drugs and alcohol to Alex, who was under 21 years of age; that Alex was required to attend the ceremony; that Alex, who was already intoxicated and unable to drive was taken by Defendant and others to the location of the Ceremony, w...

Excerpt: ...material fact which Plaintiff relied on to her detriment [UMFs 1‐30, 30‐60] The evidence in support of this material fact is as follows: Decl Leask, Decl Sue Rowley Decl Annamarie Nelson, Decl Craig Nelson Documentary evidence: Exhibit C. Reporter's Transcript of the Plaintiff's Deposition Vol. I, taken on February 3, 2016 Exhibit D. Reporter's Transcript of the Deposition of Plaintiff, Vol. II, taken on February 4, 2016. Exhibit E. Resumes o...

Excerpt: ...ilure to comply with this requirement of a separate statement may in the court's discretion constitute a sufficient ground for denying the motion. Dubois asserts as UMF no. 20: “On October 05, 2016, DuBois was advised that its proposal was not accepted and Fifty‐Five was working on estimates from other roofing contractors.” (Dubois Separate Statement UMF 20) The reference to the supporting evidence is: Email Correspondence, Exhibit B4; DuBo...

Excerpt: ...requests the court to compel the City to cease charging Plaintiffs the increased rates; cease charging other customers reduced and deflated rates; and refund all increased water charges paid by Plaintiffs since 2016, with prejudgment interest. The City demurs to the FAC on two bases: (1) Propositions 26 and 218 do not apply to Plaintiffs' claims, because Plaintiffs “voluntarily” use and pay for untreated water from the City, and therefore the...

Excerpt: ...iled to return the final modification agreement within the required timeframe, therefore their eligibility for a modification expired. Plaintiffs have failed to state sufficient facts to constitute a cause of action. The motion for JOP to the Third Cause of action for Violation of Civil C. section 2923.7 , is denied. Defendant argues that the allegation of a lack of a single point of contact is belied by the fact that Plaintiffs were reviewed for...

Excerpt: ...he initial cross‐complaint was filed on January 23, 2019. This cause of action is therefore time barred. Interference with contractual relations/prospective economic advantage (2d & 3rd c/as) Breach of fiduciary duty (4th c/a)/Fraudulent transfer (5th c/a) The Family Law court has sole and exclusive jurisdiction over these causes of action, which involve businesses which are community asserts. In October 2017 the San Mateo Superior Court grante...

Excerpt: ...l distress is overruled. The motion to strike the allegations and prayer for attorney's fees is granted. Elder Abuse (2d c/a) The court finds that Plaintiff has failed to state a cause of action for elder abuse under a theory of either financial or physical elder abuse. W&I Code §15610.30 defines financial elder abuse as occurring when a person “takes, secretes, appropriates, obtains of retains real or personal property of an elder or dependen...

Excerpt: ...strative body will not be disturbed in mandamus proceedings unless an abuse of discretion is demonstrated… In considering whether an abuse occurred in the context of public employee discipline, an important consideration is the extent to which the employee's conduct resulted in, or if repeated is likely to result in, harm to the public. (Lowe v. Civil Serv. Com (1985) 164 Cal.App.3d 667, 677 ) LAW AND MOTION TENTATIVE RULINGS DATE: June 25, 202...

Excerpt: ...ect provides for the construction of oncampus housing for a number of students that exceeds the CSA's enrollment cap; and (2) that Defendants have breached §5.1 of the CSA by proceeding with the planning process for the 2020 LRDP, including the release of a Draft LRDP and a Final Proposed Land Use Map which locates all new student housing on campus, without first conducting a comprehensive analysis of potentially feasible alternative locations t...

Excerpt: ...tances, or law. DEMURRER The unopposed special demurrer for uncertainty and general demurer to the 2d, 3 rd, 4th and 5th causes of action asserted in the Second Amended Complaint is sustained, without leave to amend. On its own motion the court strikes the 1st, 6th, 7th and 8th causes of action as constituting improper matter. Discussion The court previously sustained a special demurrer to the First Amended Complaint for uncertainty, and also sus...

Excerpt: ...tive damages from the prayer of the SAC is granted. The balance of the motion is moot in light of the sustaining of the demurrer to the Third cause of action ...

Excerpt: ...o defend their insureds does not make the parties." .Southern Cal. Edison Co, v, State Farm Mut. Auto, Ins. Co., (1969) 271 Cal. App. 2d 744 749. Plaintiff's cause of action is therefore not properly brought against Farmers. Plaintiff is granted leave to amend only to the extent that he can assert a negligence claim against Farmers which is not based solely on a contract of insurance with a defendant‐driver. MOTION TO STRIKE The motion to strik...

Excerpt: ...Section 809 (enforcement of an easement) and Pen. Code Section 420.1 (penalties for obstructing an easement), only the allegations in the body of the complaint constitute the cause of action. Falahatir v Kondo (2005) 527 Cal. App. 4th 823,829. A demurrer therefore will not lie to the prayer. Caldera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. v Regents of U.C. (2012) 205 Cal. App. 4th 338, 368. Defendants' Requests for Judicial Notice The court denies Defendant's RFJN...

Excerpt: ...irmation of Verbal Agreement for Emergency Force Account Agreement dated January 25, 2017. ▪ Disputed issues of fact exist as to whether CALTRANS Project Engineers asserted control over debris hauling and dumping practices used by Graniterock. LAW AND MOTION TENTATIVE RULINGS DATE: MARCH 25, 2020 TIME: 8:30 A.M. 2 Supporting evidence UMF No. 6, 10, 17—Plaintiffs' Exhibit. K [Lauderdale depo] , at 39:6‐15, 129:15‐130:9; Exhibit B [Wright d...

Excerpt: ...ctively concedes the materiality of whatever facts are included. Thus, if a triable issue is raised as to any of the facts in the separate statement, the motion should be denied. Nazir v. United Airlines, Inc., 178 Cal. App. 4th 243, 252 (Cal. App. 1st Dist. 2009. The court finds that triable issues of material fact are raised as to each of the issues submitted by Defendants for summary adjudication. Based on the declaration of Plaintiff's expert...

Excerpt: ...cident. Counsel are ordered to appear at the hearing by Court Call to set a trial date (possibly 5/26/20) within 120 days of the hearing (i.e. on or before 7/20/20). ...

Excerpt: ...cident. Counsel are ordered to appear at the hearing by Court Call to set a trial date (possibly 5/26/20) within 120 days of the hearing (i.e. on or before 7/20/20). ...

Excerpt: ...n enough to allow Defendants to understand the nature of the allegations against them, and the theory of liability in order to fashion an appropriate response. Any ambiguities can be clarified under modern discovery procedures. (Id.) The face of the first and second causes of action for breach of contract and breach of the implied rental agreement does not reveal that the oral rental agreement was for more than one LAW AND MOTION TENTATIVE RULING...

Excerpt: ...ttorney's fees”. The parties agree that this provision is broad enough to encompass both contractual and non‐contractual claims. In this case Defendants successfully defended the contractual claims, while Plaintiff received a monetary award on the non‐contractual claim for conversion. The court is therefore guided by Maynard v BTI Group, Inc.(2013) 216 Cal. App. 4th 984, which holds that in this situation the general provisions of the Code ...