Judge: Mark E. Windham, Case: 19STLC03579, Date: 2023-12-07 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 19STLC03579    Hearing Date: December 7, 2023    Dept: 26

 

Jackson v. Farraj, et al.

MOTION TO VACATE DISMISSAL

(CCP § 473(b))

 


 

 

TENTATIVE RULING:

 

Plaintiff Nicole Jackon’s Motion to Vacate Dismissal is DENIED.

 

 

ANALYSIS:

 

Plaintiff Nicole Jackson (“Plaintiff”) filed the instant action for breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and negligent infliction of emotional distress against Defendant Roger Feraj dba Andy’s Auto Service (“Defendant”) on April 11, 2019. The case concerns alleged damages to Plaintiff’s vehicle after she took it to Defendant for brake repairs. (Compl., ¶¶4-16.)  When Plaintiff failed to appear for trial on January 23, 2023, the Court dismissed the action without prejudice. (Minute Order, 01/23/23.)

 

Plaintiff filed the instant Motion to Vacate Dismissal on July 31, 2023. Defendant filed an opposition on November 22, 2023.

 

Discussion

 

The motion is brought pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure, section 473, subdivision (b). Under this statute, an application for relief must be made no more than six months after entry of the order from which relief is sought and must be accompanied by an affidavit of fault attesting to the moving party’s mistake, inadvertence, surprise or neglect. (Code Civ. Proc., § 473, subd. (b); English v. IKON Business Solutions (2001) 94 Cal.App.4th 130, 143.) When based on attorney fault with respect to entry of default, default judgment, or involuntary dismissal, a timely request for relief must be granted. (Code Civ. Proc., § 473, subd. (b).) When brought pursuant to the provision for discretionary relief based on party fault, the request must have been filed within a reasonable amount of time.

 

The motion was not timely filed within a reasonable time, nor within six months (182 days) of dismissal of the action. Instead, it was filed 189 days after dismissal. Plaintiff was given notice of the dismissal on January 24, 2023. (Certificate of Mailing, 01/24/23.) Plaintiff, however, does not explain why the Motion was not filed until more than six months later. Also, the six-month deadline is jurisdictional and not subject to tolling. (Manson, Iver & York v. Black (2009) 176 Cal.App.4th 36, 42.) Therefore, the request for relief under Code of Civil Procedure section 473, subdivision (b) must be denied.

 

Conclusion

 

Plaintiff Nicole Jackon’s Motion to Vacate Dismissal is DENIED.

 

 

Moving party to give notice.