SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA  

FOR THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES - CENTRAL DISTRICT 

 

 

1. Background 

Plaintiff Juan Jose Orellana (“Plaintiffs”) filed this action against Defendants Jose Ivan Canales Valldares, N. Montoya Trucking, Inc. (“Montoya Trucking”), and LaLonde Contractors, Inc. for damages arising from an automobile incident. 

Plaintiffs move the Court for an order compelling Defendant Montoya Trucking to provide further responses to Supplemental Request for Production (“RFP”) and Supplemental Form and Special Interrogatories.  

 

2. Informal Discovery Conference (“IDC”) 

Per the Eight Amended Standing Order for Procedures in the Personal Injury Hub Courts effective October 10, 2022 (Filed September 20, 2022), ¶ 9E, “PI Hub Courts will not hear Motions to Compel Further Discovery Responses to Discovery until the parties have engaged in an Informal Discovery Conference (IDC). PI Hub Courts may deny or continue a Motion to Compel Further Responses to Discovery if parties fail to schedule and complete an IDC before the scheduled hearing on a Motion to Compel Further Responses to Discovery.” Additionally, “Reserving or scheduling an IDC does not extend the time to file a Motion to Compel Further Discovery Responses.” (Ibid.) The purpose of an IDC is to avoid the necessity of a motion to compel, or to at least reduce its scope. The Eight Amended Standing Order further provides that parties are encouraged to stipulate to extend the deadline for filing a motion to compel further by 60 days to allow time to participate in an IDC and to informally resolve pending discovery issues.  

Plaintiff’s motions are premature. The Court notes that an IDC is currently on calendar for August 28, 2023. The parties are ordered to participate in the scheduled IDC. 

Moving Party is ordered to continue the Hearing on Motions to Compel Further Discovery Responses using the online reservation management system, at least 3 weeks after the IDC. 

The Court is hopeful the hearing on the motions to compel further will not be necessary. If the parties are unable to resolve all outstanding issues at the IDC, the parties must submit a joint statement of items in dispute at least two weeks prior to the continued hearing date. The joint statement must be a single document, with analysis by both parties, addressing each remaining issue.