Judge: Mark C. Kim, Case: 22LBCV00009, Date: 2022-08-30 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 22LBCV00009    Hearing Date: August 30, 2022    Dept: S27

Defendants, United Capital Holdings, Inc., et al. move to consolidate 22LBCV00009 with 22LBCV00271.  Opposition to the motion was due on or before 8/17/22.  Plaintiff has not filed timely opposition to the motion. 

Despite the lack of opposition, the motion is denied for two reasons.  First, Defendants, on page 2, lines 22-28 of their moving brief, indicate the cases have been deemed related and are both pending in the same department.  The Court has reviewed its docket in both cases, and cannot find any order deeming the cases related.  The Court’s docket shows 22LBCV00009 pending in Department S27, but 22LBCV00271 pending in Department S26.  Thus, pursuant to Local Rule 3.3(g), the cases are not ripe for consolidation. 

Second, the Court does not typically consolidate UD cases with unlimited civil cases.  While the issues may be overlapping, UD cases are entitled to fast-track trial status and preference over most other cases, while unlimited civil cases have no such priority.  22LBCV00009 (the unlimited civil case) is set for trial on 1/30/23.  22LBCV00271 (the UD case) is not yet set for trial, but there is a summary judgment motion pending on 8/30/22, the same day as the hearing on this motion to consolidate, and Plaintiff is entitled to request a trial date at any time if that motion is denied.    

Moving Defendants are ordered to give notice. 

Parties who intend to submit on this tentative must send an email to the court at gdcdepts27@lacourt.org indicating intention to submit on the tentative as directed by the instructions provided on the court website at www.lacourt.org.  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.  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 any party does not submit on the tentative, the party should make arrangements to appear remotely at the hearing on this matter.