Judge: Jon R. Takasugi, Case: 19STCV42388, Date: 2023-04-25 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 19STCV42388    Hearing Date: April 25, 2023    Dept: 17

Superior Court of California

County of Los Angeles

DEPARTMENT 17

TENTATIVE RULING

            Ara’s motion to compel discovery is GRANTED. Defendant is sanctioned, jointly and severally with counsel, $700.00 per motion.

On 11/25/2019, Plaintiffs Vahram (Vahram) and Ara Sevacherian (Ara) (collectively, Plaintiffs) initiated this action. On 12/6/2019, Plaintiffs filed a first amended complaint (FAC) against Khosrov Madenjian, trustee of the Madenjian Family Trust (Defendant), seeking partition.

            Now, Ara moves to compel initial responses from Defendant to his Requests for Production (RFPs) and his Form Interrogatories. Ara also seeks monetary sanctions.

            The motion is unopposed.

Discussion

            On 8/22/2022, Ara served the Form Interrogatories and RFPs on Defendant. (Rodich Decl. ¶ 7.) Defendant’s responses were therefore due on or before 9/26/2022. To date, no responses have been provided.  

            Given Defendant’s failure to oppose this motion, the Court is without any substantial justification for this failure. As a result, sanctions are warranted.

            Based on the foregoing, Ara’s motion to compel discovery is granted. Defendant is sanctioned, jointly and severally with counsel, $700.00 per motion. ($350/hr x 2 hr.)

It is so ordered.

Dated:  April    , 2023

   Hon. Jon R. Takasugi
   Judge of the Superior Court

Parties who intend to submit on this tentative must send an email to the court at smcdept17@lacourt.org by 4 p.m. the day prior as directed by the instructions provided on the court website at www.lacourt.org.  If a party submits on the tentative, the party’s email must include the case number and must identify the party submitting on the tentative.  If all parties to a motion submit, the court will adopt this tentative as the final order.  If the department does not receive an email indicating the parties are submitting on the tentative and there are no appearances at the hearing, the motion may be placed off calendar. 

            Due to Covid-19, the court is strongly discouraging in-person appearances.  Parties, counsel, and court reporters present are subject to temperature checks and health inquiries, and will be denied entry if admission could create a public health risk.  The court encourages the parties wishing to argue to appear via L.A. Court Connect.  For more information, please contact the court clerk at (213) 633-0517.  Your understanding during these difficult times is appreciated.