Judge: Shirley K. Watkins, Case: 19STCV37977, Date: 2022-08-10 Tentative Ruling

If ALL parties submit on the tentative, then no appearance is necessary unless some other matter (i.e., Case Management Conference) is on calendar. It is not necessary to call the court to request oral argument. Oral argument is permitted on all tentative rulings.

Case Number: 19STCV37977    Hearing Date: August 10, 2022    Dept: T

TENTATIVE RULING

THE COURT WILL GRANT A CONTINUANCE OF THE TRIAL.  HOWEVER, THIS CASE IS ALMOST 3 YEARS OLD AND IS ONE OF THIS DEPARTMENT'S OLDER CASES.  THIS CASE NEEDS TO FINISH DISCOVERY.  IF THERE IS UNREASONABLE DELAY IN FINISHING PLAINTIFFS' DEPOSITIONS, THE COURT REQUIRES MEET AND CONFER, AND THEN A MOTION TO COMPEL WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME.  THIS CASE WILL GO TO TRIAL BEFORE SPRING 2023.  ALL PARTIES SHALL BE PREPARED TO EXPLAIN ANY FURTHER DELAYS.  IF MOVING DEFENDANT WISHES TO CONTINUE ALL DEADLINES RELATED TO THE TRIAL DATE, THE COURT WILL GRANT THAT.  ALSO, IF THERE IS NEED TO MOVE THE MSJS, THE COURT HAS NO OBJECTION TO THAT.  HOWEVER, PLAINTIFFS' COUNSEL NEEDS TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE COURT WILL GRANT MOTIONS TO COMPEL PLAINTIFF DEPOSITIONS IF THEY ARE NOT PROVIDED FOR DEPOSITION IN A REASONABLE TIME FROM NOW.  IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO ACCOMMODATE EVERYONE'S SCHEDULE FOR  ALL DEPOSITIONS. IN SETTING MOTIONS BY COURT ORDER, THE COURT WILL PRIORITIZE THE AVAILABILITY OF COUNSEL TAKING THE DEPOSITION, COUNSEL DEFENDING THE DEPOSITION AND THE WITNESS.

ORDERS:

TRIAL CONTINUED TO 2/1/2023 AT 9:30 A.M.

FSC CONTINUED TO 1/20/2023 AT 1:30 P.M.

COMPLIANCE WITH LASC LOCAL RULE 3.25 REQUIRED

ALL CUTOFF DATES CONTINUED TO THE STATUTORY PERIOD PRIOR TO THE NEW TRIAL DATE.

OTHER ISSUES:

If anyone needs ADA accommodations for trial, please fill out an ADA request on the court’s website.

If an interpreter in any language is required for any language other than Spanish for trial, please fill out a request on the court’s website.

THINGS THAT WILL NEED TO BE DONE FOR FSC:

Motions in Limines, oppositions, replies, meet and confer

Proposed Jury instructions, fully edited

Proposed Verdict form(s) (joint if possible, otherwise separate)

Proposed Joint (NEUTRAL) Statement of the case

Proposed Juror Questionnaire (IF REQUESTED)

Proposed Joint Witness list with time estimates

Proposed Joint Exhibit list (please just use numbers)

Notices of Intent to use video testimony, objections, and counter designations (IF REQUESTED)