Judge: Mark H. Epstein, Case: 22SMCV01269, Date: 2024-02-14 Tentative Ruling

If the parties wish to submit on the tentative ruling and avoid a court appearance on the matter, the moving party must contact the opposing party and all other parties who have appeared in the action and confirm that each will submit on the tentative ruling. Please call the court no later than 4:30 p.m. on the court day before the hearing, leave a message with the court clerk at (310) 260-3629 advising her that all parties will submit on the tentative ruling and waive hearing, and finally, serve notice of the Court's ruling on all parties entitled to receive service. If any party declines to submit on the tentative ruling, then no telephone call is necessary, and all parties should appear at the hearing.

Case Number: 22SMCV01269    Hearing Date: February 22, 2024    Dept: I

The motion for leave to amend is DENIED.  The tort plaintiff seeks to add does not exist.  Accordingly, leave to amend would be futile.  The court will discuss with counsel the issue of the agreement and its provenance and whether the case will be ready for trial next month.