Judge: Shirley K. Watkins, Case: 20VECV01113, Date: 2022-09-22 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: 20VECV01113    Hearing Date: September 22, 2022    Dept: T

TENTATIVE RULING ON EX PARTE APPLICATION/STIPULATION TO CONTINUE THE TRIAL, ETC.

ON 9/14/2021, THE COURT SET THIS TRIAL 8 MONTHS IN THE FUTURE FOR MAY 2022.  THERE WAS A REQUEST TO CONTINUE THE TRIAL AND IT WAS CONTINUED TO NOVEMBER 2022, 14 MONTHS AFTER THE COURT INITIALLY SET THE TRIAL.

NOW, THERE IS ANOTHER REQUEST TO CONTINUE THE TRIAL TO MAY 2023, A FULL YEAR AFTER THE INITIAL TRIAL DATE.  THE REASONS GIVEN ARE VAGUE AND CONFUSING.  WHAT DISCOVERY REMAINS TO BE DONE.  WHAT WAS THE HOLDUP ON COVERAGE DECISIONS.  WHAT NEGOTIATIONS HAVE BEEN UNDERTAKEN.

THE COURT IS NOT INCLINED TO GRANT AN 8 MONTH CONTINUANCE TO MAY.  NO GOOD CAUSE IS SHOWN WHY 8 MORE MONTHS IS NEEDED TO READY THIS CASE

ACCORDINGLY, THE COURT WILL REQUIRE A JOINT STATEMENT THAT SETS FORTH THE FOLLOWING:

1.  WHAT PARTIES ARE LEFT IN THE CASE?

2.  HAVE ANY MEDIATIONS TAKEN PLACE?  IS THERE A FIRM DATE FOR A FUTURE MEDIATION?

3.  WHAT DISCOVERY HAS EACH PARTY COMPLETED.

4.  SPECIFICALLY STATE WHAT DISCOVERY NEEDS TO BE COMPLETED (WITH SPECIFICITY).

5.  WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO DECIDE WHETHER TO AMEND THE COMPLAINT AND WHY HASN'T THAT DECISION BEEN MADE BEFORE?

6.  HAS THERE BEEN A DEMAND FOR EXPERT DESIGNATION?  HAS IT TAKEN PLACE?  WHY NOT?

7.  WHEN DID IT FIRST BECOME APPARENT A CONTINUANCE WAS NEEDED?

8.  HAVE THE PARTIES STARTED WORKING ON ANY TRIAL DOCUMENTS?

THE REASONS GIVEN FOR THIS CONTINUANCE ARE ALMOST THE SAME AS THE ONES GIVEN ON MARCH 2022.

JOINT STATEMENT SIGNED BY ALL COUNSEL SHALL BE FILED BY 9/30/2022. 

MATTER CONTINUED TO OCT. 4, 2022 AT 8:30 A.M.