Judge: Mark H. Epstein, Case: 23SMCV01496, Date: 2023-12-04 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 23SMCV01496    Hearing Date: December 4, 2023    Dept: I

The matter is here for an early evaluation conference.  Normally, this would go to another department for the conference.  But the court has apparently ended that program, and thus it is in this department.  That is odd because the point of the conference is such that much information might be revealed that one or both parties might not want the trier of fact to know.  The court will discuss that with counsel.  If both parties want to go forward with this court, the court will ask the parties to agree to a stipulation similar to that used when the trial judge acts as a settlement judge.  If any party is uncomfortable with having this court act in such a capacity (and the court could certainly understand why that would be), then the court will see about transferring the conference to another department at a (hopefully) near date.

The court also notes that plaintiff filed a statement of the case, but the court has not seen any filing from the defense.  The court notes that plaintiff’s filing does not reveal anything not gleanable from the complaint and a review of the law. 

In light of defendant's filing, the OSC is DISCHARGED.