Judge: Elaine Lu, Case: 22STCV00268, Date: 2023-03-13 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 22STCV00268    Hearing Date: March 13, 2023    Dept: 26

On December 30, 2022, Plaintiff Randy Uribe (“Plaintiff”) filed the six instant motion to compel further responses to Form Interrogatories, Set One, Special Interrogatories, Set One, Request for Production of Documents, Set One from DEFENDANT CHICK N’ SKINS, LLC and DEFENDANT CHICK N’ KING, LLC respectively.

 

On January 31, 2023, the Court ordered any opposition to be filed by February 10, 2023 and any reply by February 16, 2023.

 

On February 14, 2023, Plaintiff filed a notice of non-opposition to the instant discovery motions.  As no oppositions were filed, on February 27, 2023 the Court advanced the instant motions to be heard on March 13, 2023. 

 

Plaintiff’s UNOPPOSED motion to compel DEFENDANT CHICK N’ SKINS, LLC’s further responses to Plaintiff’s Form Interrogatories, Set One is GRANTED.  DEFENDANT CHICK N’ SKINS, LLC  is ordered to serve verified, code compliant further responses, without objections, to Form Interrogatories, Set One within 30 days. 

 

Plaintiff’s UNOPPOSED motion to compel DEFENDANT CHICK N’ SKINS, LLC’s further responses to Plaintiff’s Special Interrogatories, Set One is GRANTED.  DEFENDANT CHICK N’ SKINS, LLC  is ordered to serve verified, code compliant further responses, without objections, to Special Interrogatories, Set One within 30 days. 

 

Plaintiff’s UNOPPOSED motion to compel DEFENDANT CHICK N’ SKINS, LLC’s further responses to Plaintiff’s Request for Production of Documents, Set One is GRANTED.  DEFENDANT CHICK N’ SKINS, LLC  is ordered to serve verified, code compliant further responses, without objections, to Request for Production of Documents, Set One within 30 days. 

 

Plaintiff’s UNOPPOSED motion to compel DEFENDANT CHICK N’ KING, LLC’s further responses to Plaintiff’s Form Interrogatories, Set One is GRANTED.  DEFENDANT CHICK N’ KING, LLC  is ordered to serve verified, code compliant further responses, without objections, to Form Interrogatories, Set One within 30 days. 

 

Plaintiff’s UNOPPOSED motion to compel DEFENDANT CHICK N’ KING, LLC’s further responses to Plaintiff’s Special Interrogatories, Set One is GRANTED.  DEFENDANT CHICK N’ KING, LLC is ordered to serve verified, code compliant further responses, without objections, to Special Interrogatories, Set One within 30 days. 

 

Plaintiff’s UNOPPOSED motion to compel DEFENDANT CHICK N’ KING, LLC’s further responses to Plaintiff’s Request for Production of Documents, Set One is GRANTED.  DEFENDANT CHICK N’ KING, LLC is ordered to serve verified, code compliant further responses, without objections, to Request for Production of Documents, Set One within 30 days. 

 

As DEFENDANT CHICK N’ SKINS, LLC  and DEFENDANT CHICK N’ KING, LLC  have filed to provide code compliant responses and has asserted unsubstantiated objections, sanctions are warranted.  However, the amount of sanctions requested is excessive given that DEFENDANT CHICK N’ SKINS, LLC and DEFENDANT CHICK N’ KING, LLC failed to oppose the instant motions such that no time spent on a reply would be warranted.  In addition, at the January 31, 2023 hearing, Defense Counsel indicated that part of the reason he has not served further responses is that he is unable to reach clients.  Accordingly, sanctions are imposed only against the clients and not Defense Counsel.

 

Pursuant to the consolidated request for sanctions, DEFENDANT CHICK N’ SKINS, LLC is ordered to pay sanctions to Plaintiff by and through counsel of record, in the amount of $3,100.00, within 30 days.

 

Pursuant to the consolidated request for sanctions, DEFENDANT CHICK N’ KING, LLC is ordered to pay sanctions to Plaintiff by and through counsel of record, in the amount of $3,100.00, within 30 days.

 

Plaintiff to give notice and file proof of service of such within 3 days.