Judge: Lee W. Tsao, Case: 22NWCV00800, Date: 2025-03-11 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 22NWCV00800    Hearing Date: March 11, 2025    Dept: F

State Farm General Insurance Company v. Southern California Edison Company, 22NWCV00800

This condemnation action was filed on September 7, 2022. Trial is currently scheduled to begin on April 30, 2025. Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment (MSJ) is currently scheduled to be heard after trial, on August 26, 2025. Defendant now applies ex parte for an Order to Continue Trial and Related Deadlines, or in the alternative, an Order Shortening Time for Hearing on MSJ.

Defendant argues good cause exists because Defendant’s counsel made a calendaring mistake resulting in Defendant filing its MSJ on March 3, 2025. In opposition, Plaintiff argues Defendant has not established good cause and failed to timely file its MSJ before the trial date. Trial has previously been continued once.

Consistent with public policy favoring determination on the merits, Defendant’s ex parte application for an Order to Continue Trial and Related Deadlines is GRANTED. A trial continuance to a date after Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment is heard is reasonable. The Court will confer with the parties to select new trial, MSC, and FSC dates. The discovery cut-off date and related deadlines will correspond with the new trial date. Defendant’s alternative request, to shorten time on the hearing for the MSJ is DENIED. Moving party to give notice.