On 04/03/2020 ALLA KOTOVNIKOVA filed a Personal Injury - Motor Vehicle lawsuit against BENJAMIN ARTHUR SMITH. This case was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Courts, Spring Street Courthouse located in Los Angeles, California. The Judge overseeing this case is JAMES E. BLANCARTE. The case status is Pending - Other Pending.
*******2985
04/03/2020
Pending - Other Pending
Los Angeles County Superior Courts
Spring Street Courthouse
Los Angeles, California
JAMES E. BLANCARTE
KOTOVNIKOVA ALLA
SMITH BENJAMIN ARTHUR
KARPEL DONALD
KANG STEVE ANDREW
3/4/2021: Notice of Posting of Jury Fees - Notice of Posting of Jury Fees
3/5/2021: Opposition (name extension) - Opposition to Motion to Compel
3/22/2021: Notice (name extension) - Notice of Supplemental Documents to Defendants Opposition
3/22/2021: Notice (name extension) - Notice of Supplemental Documents to Defendants Opposition
3/22/2021: Notice (name extension) - Notice of Supplemental Documents Per Court Order to Defendants Opposition
10/7/2020: Declaration (name extension) - Declaration of Olga N. Troshchiy in Support of Plaintiff's Motion to Compel
10/7/2020: Declaration (name extension) - Declaration of Olga N. Troshchiy in Support of Plaintiff's Motion to Compel
10/7/2020: Memorandum of Points & Authorities - Memorandum of Points & Authorities
10/7/2020: Declaration (name extension) - Declaration of Olga N. Troshchiy in Support of Plaintiff's Motion to Compel
10/7/2020: Memorandum of Points & Authorities - Memorandum of Points & Authorities
10/7/2020: Memorandum of Points & Authorities - Memorandum of Points & Authorities
10/7/2020: Motion to Compel Discovery (not Further Discovery) - 1 moving party, 1 motion - Motion to Compel Discovery (not Further Discovery) - 1 moving party, 1 motion
7/17/2020: Answer - Answer
7/17/2020: Demand for Jury Trial - Demand for Jury Trial
6/1/2020: Proof of Personal Service - Proof of Personal Service
4/3/2020: Complaint - Complaint
4/3/2020: Summons - Summons on Complaint
4/3/2020: First Amended Standing Order - First Amended Standing Order
Hearing04/07/2023 at 08:30 AM in Department 25 at 312 North Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012; Order to Show Cause Re: Failure to File Proof of Service
Hearing10/01/2021 at 08:30 AM in Department 25 at 312 North Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012; Non-Jury Trial
Hearing05/19/2021 at 10:30 AM in Department 25 at 312 North Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012; Hearing on Motion to Compel Discovery (not "Further Discovery")
Hearing05/19/2021 at 10:30 AM in Department 25 at 312 North Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012; Hearing on Motion to Compel Discovery (not "Further Discovery")
Hearing05/19/2021 at 10:30 AM in Department 25 at 312 North Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012; Hearing on Motion to Compel Discovery (not "Further Discovery")
DocketHearing on Motion to Compel Discovery (not "Further Discovery") scheduled for 05/19/2021 at 10:30 AM in Spring Street Courthouse at Department 25
DocketHearing on Motion to Compel Discovery (not "Further Discovery") scheduled for 05/19/2021 at 10:30 AM in Spring Street Courthouse at Department 25
DocketHearing on Motion to Compel Discovery (not "Further Discovery") scheduled for 05/19/2021 at 10:30 AM in Spring Street Courthouse at Department 25
DocketNotice of Supplemental Documents to Defendants Opposition; Filed by: Benjamin Arthur Smith (Defendant); As to: Alla Kotovnikova (Plaintiff)
DocketNotice of Supplemental Documents to Defendants Opposition; Filed by: Benjamin Arthur Smith (Defendant); As to: Alla Kotovnikova (Plaintiff)
DocketDemand for Jury Trial; Filed by: Benjamin Arthur Smith (Defendant)
DocketProof of Personal Service; Filed by: Alla Kotovnikova (Plaintiff); As to: Benjamin Arthur Smith (Defendant); Service Date: 05/21/2020; Service Cost: 75.00; Service Cost Waived: No
DocketNon-Jury Trial scheduled for 10/01/2021 at 08:30 AM in Spring Street Courthouse at Department 25
DocketOrder to Show Cause Re: Failure to File Proof of Service scheduled for 04/07/2023 at 08:30 AM in Spring Street Courthouse at Department 25
DocketComplaint; Filed by: Alla Kotovnikova (Plaintiff); As to: Benjamin Arthur Smith (Defendant)
DocketCivil Case Cover Sheet; Filed by: Alla Kotovnikova (Plaintiff); As to: Benjamin Arthur Smith (Defendant)
DocketSummons on Complaint; Issued and Filed by: Alla Kotovnikova (Plaintiff); As to: Benjamin Arthur Smith (Defendant)
DocketNotice of Case Assignment - Limited Civil Case; Filed by: Clerk
DocketFirst Amended Standing Order; Filed by: Clerk
DocketCase assigned to Hon. James E. Blancarte in Department 25 Spring Street Courthouse
Case Number: 20STLC02985 Hearing Date: March 22, 2021 Dept: 25
HEARING DATE: Mon., March 22, 2021 JUDGE /DEPT: Blancarte/25
CASE NAME: Kotovnikova v. Smith COMPL. FILED: 04-03-20
CASE NUMBER: 20STLC02985 DISC. C/O: 09-01-21
NOTICE: OK DISC. MOT. C/O: 09-16-21
TRIAL DATE: 10-01-21
PROCEEDINGS: MOTION TO COMPEL DEFENDANT’S RESPONSES TO REQUESTS FOR PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS, SET ONE, AND REQUEST FOR SANCTIONS
MOVING PARTY: Plaintiff Alla Kotovnikova
RESP. PARTY: Defendant Benjamin A. Smith
MOTION TO COMPEL RESPONSES TO REQUEST FOR PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS; REQUEST FOR SANCTIONS
(CCP §2031.300)
TENTATIVE RULING:
Plaintiff Alla Kotovnikova’s Motion to Compel Defendant’s Responses to Requests for Production of Documents, Set One, and Request for Sanctions is CONTINUED TO MAY 19, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. in Department 25 at the SPRING STREET COURTHOUSE. At least 16 court days before the next scheduled hearing, Defendant must file and serve supplemental papers as requested herein.
SERVICE:
[X] Proof of Service Timely Filed (CRC, rule 3.1300) OK
[X] Correct Address (CCP §§ 1013, 1013a) OK
[X] 16/21 Court Days Lapsed (CCP §§ 12c, 1005(b)) OK
OPPOSITION: Filed on March 5, 2021 [ ] Late [ ] None
REPLY: None filed as of March 17, 2021 [ ] Late [X] None
ANALYSIS:
Background
On April 3, 2020, Plaintiff Alla Kotovnikova (“Plaintiff”) filed an action for motor vehicle negligence against Defendant Benjamin Arthur Smith (“Defendant”). Defendant filed an Answer on July 17, 2020.
On October 7, 2020, Plaintiff filed the instant Motion to Compel Defendant’s Responses to Requests for Production of Documents, Set One, and Request for Sanctions (the “Motion”). Defendant filed an Opposition on March 5, 2021. No reply brief has been filed.
Legal Standard & Discussion
A. Request for Production
A party must respond to interrogatories and requests for production of documents within 30 days after service. (Code Civ. Proc., § 2031.260, subd. (a).) If a party to whom requests for production of documents are directed does not provide timely responses, the requesting party may move for an order compelling responses to the discovery. (Code Civ. Proc., § 2031.300, subd. (c).) The party also waives the right to make any objections, including one based on privilege or work-product protection. (Code Civ. Proc., § 2031.300, subd. (a).) There is no time limit for a motion to compel responses to interrogatories or production of documents other than the cut-off on hearing discovery motions 15 days before trial. (Code Civ. Proc., §§ 2024.020, subd. (a); Code Civ. Proc., § 2031.300.) No meet and confer efforts are required before filing a motion to compel responses to the discovery. (Code Civ. Proc., § 2031.300; Sinaiko Healthcare Consulting, Inc. v. Pacific Healthcare Consultants (2007) 148 Cal.App.4th 390, 411.)
Plaintiff provides evidence that it served a Demand for Production of Documents, Set One, on Defendant’s counsel on August 21, 2020 via email at skang@mercuryinsurance.com. (Mot., Troshchiy Decl., ¶ 2, Exh. 3.) Plaintiff’s counsel sent an email to Defendant’s counsel at the same email address on September 29, 2020 advising that no responses to the propounded discovery had been received and requesting responses without objections “as soon as possible.” (Id. at ¶ 4, Exh. 4.) As of the date this Motion was filed, Plaintiff had not received any discovery responses. (Id. at ¶ 6.)
In Opposition, Defendant argues the Motion is moot because it served complete responses without objections on October 19, 2020 via email. (Oppo., Kang Decl., ¶ 9, Exh. F.) As evidence, Defendant attached a copy of an October 19, 2020 email. (Id.) However, this email does not clearly reference Plaintiff’s discovery requests. Defendant also did not attach copies of its discovery responses with proofs of service to his Opposition. Because Plaintiff did not file a reply brief confirming or disputing receipt of the discovery responses, the Court cannot confirm responses were served and thus cannot determine whether the Motion is moot. Thus, Defendant is ordered to file and serve supplemental papers demonstrating he served discovery responses on October 19.
The parties’ requests for sanctions will be addressed at the following hearing.
Conclusion & Order
For the foregoing reasons, Plaintiff Alla Kotovnikova’s Motion to Compel Defendant’s Responses to Requests for Production of Documents, Set One, and Request for Sanctions is CONTINUED TO MAT 19, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. in Department 25 at the SPRING STREET COURTHOUSE. At least 16 court days before the next scheduled hearing, Defendant must file and serve supplemental papers as requested herein.
Moving party is ordered to give notice.
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