Judge: Theresa M. Traber, Case: 22STCV20788, Date: 2022-08-19 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: 22STCV20788    Hearing Date: August 19, 2022    Dept: 47

22STCV20788 MARAL KAZANDJIAN, et al. vs JOHN DOE 1, et. al.


Ex Parte Hearing: August 19, 2022 at 8:30 a.m.


TENTATIVE RULING:

The Court has reviewed the ex parte application filed by Plaintiff Maral Kazadjian seeking an order to compel Non-Party Meta Platforms, Inc. (“Meta Platforms”) to disclose identifying information for certain Facebook users, as well as the opposition papers of Meta Platforms.   

The Court denies Plaintiff’s request for an order to compel but grants alternative relief suggested by Meta Platforms and as to which it has no objection. Based on Plaintiff’s showing in its moving papers, the Court finds that Plaintiff has demonstrated good cause under Code of Civil Procedure section 2025.210(b) to commence discovery against Meta Platforms by deposition subpoena before serving any defendant with the summons and complaint and hereby authorizes Plaintiff to serve a subpoena on Meta Platforms by authorized means, such that Meta Platforms may exercise its rights to raise objections or otherwise response to said subpoena. 

Accordingly, Plaintiff’s ex parte application is DENIED IN PART and GRANTED IN PART.    

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated:  August 19, 2022                                 ___________________________________

                                                                                    Theresa M. Traber

                                                                                    Judge of the Superior Court

            Any party may submit on the tentative ruling by contacting the courtroom via email at Smcdept47@lacourt.org by no later than 4:00 p.m. the day before the hearing. All interested parties must be copied on the email. It should be noted that if you submit on a tentative ruling the court will still conduct a hearing if any party appears. By submitting on the tentative you have, in essence, waived your right to be present at the hearing, and you should be aware that the court may not adopt the tentative, and may issue an order which modifies the tentative ruling in whole or in part.