Judge: Katherine Chilton, Case: 23STLC00123, Date: 2023-05-10 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 23STLC00123     Hearing Date: May 10, 2023    Dept: 25

PROCEEDINGS:      MOTION TO COMPEL ARBITRATION AND STAY PROCEEDINGS 

MOVING PARTY:    Defendants Spectrum Mobile, LLC and Spectrum Mobile Equipment, LLC

RESP. PARTY:         None

MOTION TO COMPEL ARBITRATION AND STAY PROCEEDINGS 

(CCP § 1281.2, 1281.4)

TENTATIVE RULING:

The Court transfers the reassignment desk for reclassification. 

SERVICE: 

[X] Proof of Service Timely Filed (CRC, rule 3.1300)                 [OK]

[X] Correct Address (CCP §§ 1013, 1013a)                                                 [OK]

[X] 16/21 Court Days Lapsed (CCP §§ 12c, 1005(b))                     [OK]

OPPOSITION:          Filed on ___________                                    [   ] Late                      [X] None

REPLY:                     Filed on ___________                                    [   ] Late                      [X] None

ANALYSIS:

I.                Background

Plaintiff Jason Alan (“Plaintiff”) brings this action against Defendants Spectrum Mobile, LLC and Spectrum Mobile Equipment, LLC (“Defendants”), alleging violations of the following: (1) Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Cal. Civ. Code § 1788, et seq.; (2) Unfair Competition Law, Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17200, et seq.; (3) False Advertising Law, Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17500, et seq.; and (4) Consumer Legal Remedies Act, Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1750- 1784, et seq.

Plaintiff purchased an iPhone 14 from Defendants and agreed to a Retail Installment Contract.  When Plaintiff attempted to return the iPhone within 14 days of purchase, Plaintiff contends that Defendants failed to accept the return or refund Plaintiff despite accepting the return within the 14-day return period. Plaintiff seeks damages for text messages and emails he received after he returned the iPhone. 

On January 9, 2023, Plaintiff filed the instant action.  Neither Defendant has been served, but on February 21, 2023, Defendants filed this instant motion to compel arbitration.  As of May 9, 2023, no opposition has been filed.

            In Plaintiff’s Complaint, they ask for, among other things, “[a]n order requiring Defendant to engage in corrective advertising . . . [and] “[a]n order requiring Defendant to cease engaging in the unfair, fraudulent, or illegal business practices regarding [the allegations].”  Limited civil jurisdiction courts do not have the authority to make such orders.  Accordingly, the case is transferred to the reassignment desk to be reclassified as an unlimited civil case.  Plaintiff is to pay the reclassification fee.

Moving party is ordered to give notice.