Judge: Serena R. Murillo, Case: 21STCV34044, Date: 2022-10-28 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 21STCV34044    Hearing Date: October 28, 2022    Dept: 29

Martha Hernandez Renteria, et al. v. Lilian Wang, et al.

Motions to Compel Responses to Form Interrogatories, Special Interrogatories, and Request for Production of Documents and Request for Sanctions filed by Defendant Lilian Wang 

TENTATIVE

Defendant Lilian Wang’s motions to compel verified responses to form interrogatories, special interrogatories, and request for production of documents is DENIED as MOOT, however the motions for sanctions are GRANTED in part. Plaintiff Martha Hernandez Renteria and counsel of record Ethan Ysais are ordered to pay monetary sanctions in the amount of $184.95  within 30 days of this order.

Legal Standard

Compel Interrogatories

If a party to whom interrogatories are directed fails to serve a timely response, the propounding party may move for an order compelling responses and for a monetary sanction.  (Code Civ. Proc., § 2030.290, subd. (b).) The statute contains no time limit for a motion to compel where no responses have been served. All that need be shown in the moving papers is that a set of interrogatories was properly served on the opposing party, that the time to respond has expired, and that no response of any kind has been served.  (Leach v. Superior Court (1980) 111 Cal.App.3d 902, 905–906.)

Compel RPDs 

Where there has been no timely response to a demand for the production of documents, the demanding party may seek an order compelling a response.  (Code Civ. Proc. § 2031.300(b).)  Failure to timely respond waives all objections, including privilege and work product.  (Code Civ. Proc. § 2031.300(a).)  Thus, unless the party to whom the demand was directed obtains relief from waiver, he or she cannot raise objections to the documents demanded.  There is no deadline for a motion to compel responses.  Likewise, for failure to respond, the moving party need not attempt to resolve the matter outside court before filing the motion. 

Sanctions

Sanctions are mandatory in connection with motions to compel responses to interrogatories and requests for production of documents against any party, person, or attorney who unsuccessfully makes or opposes a motion to compel unless the court “finds that the one subject to the sanction acted with substantial justification or that other circumstances make the imposition of the sanction unjust.”  (Code Civ. Proc. §§ 2030.290(c), 2031.300(c).)  

Under CCP section 2023.030(a), “[t]he court may impose a monetary sanction ordering that one engaging in the misuse of the discovery process, or any attorney advising that conduct, or both pay the reasonable expenses, including attorney’s fees, incurred by anyone as a result of that conduct. . . . If a monetary sanction is authorized by any provision of this title, the court shall impose that sanction unless it finds that the one subject to the sanction acted with substantial justification or that other circumstances make the imposition of the sanction unjust.”  Failing to respond or to submit to an authorized method of discovery is a misuse of the discovery process.  (Code Civ. Proc. § 2023.010.) 

Discussion

On November 30, 2021, Defendant served Form Interrogatories (Set One), Special Interrogatories (Set One), and Request for Production of Documents (Set One), on Plaintiff Renteria. (Edgerton Decl., ¶ 3; Exh. A.) Plaintiff has now responded to the discovery, albeit tardily, as reported at the hearing on a separate motion to compel, heard on October 26, 2022

As Plaintiff has now provided responses, the motions to compel Plaintiff’s responses are moot. 

Because Plaintiff only replied after the motions to compel were filed, Defendant’s requests for sanctions are  granted, but in a reduced amount due to the simplicity of the motions and the ultimate compliance.  $184.95 in filing fees are to be paid within 30 days of this order.

Conclusion

Accordingly, Defendant’s motions to compel verified responses to form interrogatories, special interrogatories, and request for production of documents are DENIED as moot. Defendant’s request for sanctions is GRANTED IN PART. Plaintiff Martha Hernandez Renteria and counsel of record Ethan Ysais are ordered to pay monetary sanctions in the amount of $184.95 within 30 days of this order.

Moving party is ordered to give notice.