On 07/12/2017 ACTYON TIRE USA INC filed a Contract - Other Contract lawsuit against SANJEET SINGH VEEN. This case was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Courts, Stanley Mosk Courthouse located in Los Angeles, California. The Judges overseeing this case are ELIZABETH ALLEN WHITE and LAURA A. SEIGLE. The case status is Pending - Other Pending.
****8297
07/12/2017
Pending - Other Pending
Los Angeles County Superior Courts
Stanley Mosk Courthouse
Los Angeles, California
ELIZABETH ALLEN WHITE
LAURA A. SEIGLE
ACTYON TIRE USA INC
ACTYON TIRE USA INC.
SINGH SAM
DOES 1 TO 20
KANDHARI PRITHPAL
SAN JEET SINGH VEEN
VEEN SAN JEET SINGH
VEEN SANJEET SINGH AKA SAM SINGH
KANDHARI PRITHPAL AKA PAUL KANDHARI
WU SAM X.J. ESQ.
WU SAM X. J.
HOPKINS CAMERON A. ESQ.
BLOOM AARON B.
4/23/2020: Unknown - NOTICE OF CONTINUANCE DUE TO COVID-19 STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARATIONS
4/2/2020: Certificate of Mailing for - CERTIFICATE OF MAILING FOR (COURT ORDER) OF 04/02/2020
3/16/2020: Minute Order - MINUTE ORDER (NON-JURY TRIAL (ESTIMATE: 3-4 DAYS))
2/18/2020: Order Appointing Court Approved Reporter as Official Reporter Pro Tempore - ORDER APPOINTING COURT APPROVED REPORTER AS OFFICIAL REPORTER PRO TEMPORE NAME: SHAWNDA RENEE DORN - LICENSE NO. 11387 - TEL
12/20/2019: Order - RULING: (1) NOTICE OF JOINDER; (2) MOTION FOR JUDGMENT ON THE PLEADINGS RE: SECOND AMENDED COMPLAINT
11/26/2019: Declaration - DECLARATION DECLARATION OF J. MICHAEL ECHEVARRIA RE PLAINTIFF'S OPPOSITION TO MOTION FOR JUDGMENT ON THE PLEADINGS
11/27/2019: Notice - NOTICE OF UNAVAILABILITY FOR MANDATORY SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE AND REQUEST TO RESCHEDULE MSC; DECLARATIONS OF PRITHPAL KANDHARI AND AARON B. BLOOM IN SUPPORT THEREOF
11/4/2019: Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings
9/23/2019: Opposition - OPPOSITION PLAINTIFF'S MEMORANDUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES IN OPPOSITION TO MOTION TO STRIKE PUNITIVE DAMAGE ALLEGATIONS FROM THE SECOND AMENDED COMPLAINT
10/4/2019: Minute Order - MINUTE ORDER (HEARING ON DEFENDANTS SANJEET SINGH VEEN AND PRITHPAL KANDHAR...)
5/10/2019: Substitution of Attorney
4/18/2019: Order - RULING: MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE SECOND AMENDED COMPLAINT
4/18/2019: Notice of Ruling
4/5/2019: Order - RULING: (1) & (2) MOTIONS TO BE RELIEVED AS COUNSEL (X2)
4/4/2019: Opposition - OPPOSITION DEFENDANTS' OPPOSITION TO MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE SECOND AMENDED COMPLAINT
12/26/2017: CIVIL DEPOSIT -
2/13/2018: DEFENDANTS' NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION TO STRIKE; MEMORANUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES IN SUPPORT THEREOF
7/6/2018: ANSWER OF DEFENDANTS SANJEET SINGH VEEN AND PRITHPAL KANDHARI TO UNVERIFIED FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT
Hearing03/01/2021 at 10:00 AM in Department 48 at 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012; Non-Jury Trial
Hearing02/16/2021 at 08:30 AM in Department 48 at 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012; Final Status Conference
Docketat 09:30 AM in Department 48, Laura A. Seigle, Presiding; Non-Jury Trial ((estimate3-4 days)) - Not Held - Continued - Court's Motion
Docketat 08:30 AM in Department 48, Laura A. Seigle, Presiding; Final Status Conference - Not Held - Continued - Court's Motion
Docketat 09:30 AM in Department 48, Laura A. Seigle, Presiding; Non-Jury Trial ((estimate3-4 days)) - Not Held - Advanced and Continued - by Court
Docketat 09:30 AM in Department 48, Laura A. Seigle, Presiding; Final Status Conference - Not Held - Advanced and Continued - by Court
Docketat 4:15 PM in Department 48, Laura A. Seigle, Presiding; Court Order
DocketMinute Order ( (Court Order re: Continuance of Trial and Final Status Confere...)); Filed by Clerk
DocketCertificate of Mailing for ((Court Order re: Continuance of Trial and Final Status Confere...) of 07/24/2020); Filed by Clerk
DocketProof of Service (not Summons and Complaint); Filed by Actyon Tire USA Inc. (Plaintiff)
DocketCase Management Statement; Filed by Sanjeet Singh Veen (Defendant); Sam Singh (Legacy Party); Prithpal Kandhari (Defendant)
DocketCASE MANAGEMENT STATEMENT
DocketCASE MANAGEMENT STATEMENT
DocketCase Management Statement; Filed by Actyon Tire USA Inc. (Plaintiff)
DocketNotice of Case Management Conference; Filed by Clerk
DocketNOTICE OF CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE
DocketSTATEMENT OF DAMAGES [CCP 425.115]
DocketSUMMONS
DocketCOMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES FOR: 1) BREACH OF WRITTEN CONTRACT ;ETC
DocketComplaint; Filed by Actyon Tire USA Inc. (Plaintiff)
Case Number: BC668297 Hearing Date: December 20, 2019 Dept: 48
(1) NOTICE OF JOINDER;
(2) MOTION FOR JUDGMENT ON THE PLEADINGS RE: SECOND AMENDED COMPLAINT
MOVING PARTY: (1) Defendant Sanjeet Singh Veen
(2) Defendant Prithpal Kandhari;
RESPONDING PARTY(S): (1) No opposition;
(2) Plaintiff Actyon Tire USA Inc.
PROOF OF SERVICE:
ANALYSIS
Notice of Joinder
Defendant Prithpal Kandhari’s notice of joinder in the motion for judgment on the pleadings is GRANTED as timely.
Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings
Request for Judicial Notice
Defendant’s request that the Court take judicial notice of court documents pertaining to BC638278 and BC668297 is GRANTED per Evid. Code § 452(d).
Meet and Confer
The Declaration of Aaron B. Bloom reflects that the meet and confer requirement set forth in CCP § 439 was satisfied.
Discussion
Defendant Sanjeet Singh Veen moves for judgment on the pleadings as to the entire 2AC on the grounds that: 1) Plaintiff released the claims against Defendants by way of a written settlement agreement and release, 2) Plaintiff’s claims were merged into the judgment entered in BC638278, and 3) alter ego is not a substantive claim and can be asserted in the prior case.
The Court notes that Defendants’ demurrer to the second cause of action was sustained without leave to amend. See October 4, 2019 minute order.
The Court agrees with Plaintiff that the settlement and release did not purport to release a future breach of the very settlement and release agreement itself. Nothing purports to waive all future claims which may arise between the parties arising out of the Settlement Agreement itself. See Opposition at Page 4, citing § 5.1 of the Settlement Agreement. The present action is based upon the breach of the settlement agreement.
However, Defendant’s argument that the first cause of action for breach of contract in this action was merged with the prior judgment is persuasive. This is an argument based in res judicata.
“Under the doctrine of res judicata, a valid, final judgment on the merits is a bar to a subsequent action by parties or their privies on the same cause of action. … In California, a ‘cause of action’ is defined by the [*576] ‘primary right’ theory. ‘The most salient characteristic of a primary right is that it is indivisible: the violation of a single primary right gives rise to but a single cause of action.’ … In particular, the primary right theory provides that a cause of action consists of (1) a primary right possessed by the plaintiff, (2) a corresponding duty devolving upon the defendant, and (3) a delict or wrong done by the defendant which consists of a breach of the primary right. … ‘ “If the matter was within the scope of the action, related to the subject matter and relevant to the issues, so that it could have been raised, the judgment is conclusive on it … . The reason for this is manifest. A party cannot by negligence or design withhold issues and litigate them in consecutive actions. Hence the rule is that the prior judgment is res judicata on matters which were raised or could have been raised, on matters litigated or litigable. …” ’ ” (Amin v. Khazindar (2003) 112 Cal.App.4th 582, 589–590 [5 Cal. Rptr. 3d 224], citations omitted.)
Villacres v. ABM Industries Inc. (2010) 189 Cal.App.4th 562, 575-76 (italics omitted, bold emphasis and underlining added).
Here, Plaintiff could have named individual Defendants Singh and Kandhar individually in the first lawsuit for breach of settlement agreement, i.e., a claim holding them liable based on contractual promises they made in their individual capacity. See 2AC, ¶¶ 51 – 56. Accordingly, this cause of action is barred by res judicata by virtue of the May 4, 2017 judgment entered in BC638278. See RJN, Exh. D.
However, as to the third cause of action seeking declaratory relief as to alter ego liability against the individual Defendants, assertion of this theory in this separate action is proper. A plaintiff may bring a separate action on an alter ego theory:
A claim based upon an alter ego theory is not itself a claim for substantive relief. (Hennessey's Tavern, Inc. v. American Air Filter Co. (1988) [*419] 204 Cal.App.3d 1351, 1359 [251 Cal. Rptr. 859].) It is a procedural device by which courts will disregard the corporate entity in order to hold the alter ego individual liable on the obligations of the corporation. (Ibid.) Because it is not a substantive claim that has been decided, we do not necessarily rule out the possibility that plaintiffs could still recover from Cooper individually if they obtain a judgment that the corporation is unable to satisfy. Under some circumstances a judgment against a corporation may be amended to add a nonparty alter ego as a judgment debtor. (Hall, Goodhue, Haisley & Barker, Inc. v. Marconi Conf. Center Bd. (1996) 41 Cal.App.4th 1551, 1555 [49 Cal. Rptr. 2d 286]; Code Civ. Proc., § 187.) “This is an equitable procedure based on the theory that the court is not amending the judgment to add a new defendant but is merely inserting the correct name of the real defendant.” (NEC Electronics Inc. v. Hurt (1989) 208 Cal.App.3d 772, 778 [256 Cal. Rptr. 441].) It is also possible for a party to bring a wholly separate action against the individual to enforce a prior judgment against the corporation on an alter ego theory. (Brenelli Amedeo, S.P.A. v. Bakara Furniture, Inc. (1994) 29 Cal.App.4th 1828, 1840 [35 Cal. Rptr. 2d 348].)
Leek v. Cooper (2011) 194 Cal.App.4th 399, 417-19 (bold emphasis added).
Defendant’s argument that Leek is distinguishable and the facts of this case bar a separate action, but not a motion to amend the judgment in the prior action is not persuasive. The Court sees no distinction between seeking to amend the judgment to add alter ego judgment debtors in the prior action and seeking a judgment against those same purported alter ego individuals in a separate action. In any event, the Court notes that if Defendant were truly concerned about proceeding in the prior action, Defendant would have filed a notice of related cases as soon as this action were filed.
Accordingly, the motion for judgment on the pleadings as to the third cause of action is DENIED.
Case Number: BC668297 Hearing Date: December 06, 2019 Dept: 48
(1) NOTICE OF JOINDER;
(2) MOTION FOR JUDGMENT ON THE PLEADINGS RE: SECOND AMENDED COMPLAINT
MOVING PARTY: (1) Defendant Sanjeet Singh Veen
(2) Defendant Prithpal Kandhari;
RESPONDING PARTY(S): (1) No opposition;
(2) Plaintiff Actyon Tire USA Inc.
PROOF OF SERVICE:
ANALYSIS
Notice of Joinder
Defendant Prithpal Kandhari’s notice of joinder in the motion for judgment on the pleadings is GRANTED as timely.
Motion For Judgment On The Pleadings
Request For Judicial Notice
Defendant’s request that the Court take judicial notice of court documents pertaining to BC638278 and BC668297 is GRANTED per Evid. Code § 452(d).
Discussion
Defendant Sanjeet Singh Veen moves for judgment on the pleadings as to the entire 2AC on the grounds that Plaintiff released the claims against Defendants by way of a written settlement agreement and release, Plaintiff’s claims were merged into the judgment entered in BC638278, and alter ego is not a substantive claim and can be asserted in the prior case.
The Court notes that Defendants’ demurrer to the second cause of action was sustained without leave to amend. See October 4, 2019 minute order.
The Court agrees with Plaintiff that the settlement and release did not purport to release a future breach of the very settlement and release agreement itself. Nothing purports to waive all future claims which may arise between the parties arising out of the Settlement Agreement itself. See Opposition at Page 4, citing § 5.1 of the Settlement Agreement. The present action is based upon the breach of the settlement agreement.
However, Defendant’s argument that the first cause of action for breach of contract in this action was merged with the prior judgment is persuasive. This is an argument based in res judicata.
“Under the doctrine of res judicata, a valid, final judgment on the merits is a bar to a subsequent action by parties or their privies on the same cause of action. … In California, a ‘cause of action’ is defined by the [*576] ‘primary right’ theory. ‘The most salient characteristic of a primary right is that it is indivisible: the violation of a single primary right gives rise to but a single cause of action.’ … In particular, the primary right theory provides that a cause of action consists of (1) a primary right possessed by the plaintiff, (2) a corresponding duty devolving upon the defendant, and (3) a delict or wrong done by the defendant which consists of a breach of the primary right. … ‘ “If the matter was within the scope of the action, related to the subject matter and relevant to the issues, so that it could have been raised, the judgment is conclusive on it … . The reason for this is manifest. A party cannot by negligence or design withhold issues and litigate them in consecutive actions. Hence the rule is that the prior judgment is res judicata on matters which were raised or could have been raised, on matters litigated or litigable. …” ’ ” (Amin v. Khazindar (2003) 112 Cal.App.4th 582, 589–590 [5 Cal. Rptr. 3d 224], citations omitted.)
Villacres v. ABM Industries Inc. (2010) 189 Cal.App.4th 562, 575-76 (italics omitted, bold emphasis and underlining added).
Here, Plaintiff could have named individual Defendants Singh and Kandhar individually in the first lawsuit for breach of settlement agreement, i.e., a claim holding them liable based on contractual promises they made in their individual capacity. See 2AC, ¶¶ 51 – 56. Accordingly, this cause of action is barred by res judicata by virtue of the May 4, 2017 judgment entered in BC638278. See RJN, Exh. D.
However, as to the third cause of action seeking declaratory relief as to alter ego liability against the individual Defendants, assertion of this theory in this separate action is proper. A plaintiff may bring a separate action on an alter ego theory:
A claim based upon an alter ego theory is not itself a claim for substantive relief. (Hennessey's Tavern, Inc. v. American Air Filter Co. (1988) [*419] 204 Cal.App.3d 1351, 1359 [251 Cal. Rptr. 859].) It is a procedural device by which courts will disregard the corporate entity in order to hold the alter ego individual liable on the obligations of the corporation. (Ibid.) Because it is not a substantive claim that has been decided, we do not necessarily rule out the possibility that plaintiffs could still recover from Cooper individually if they obtain a judgment that the corporation is unable to satisfy. Under some circumstances a judgment against a corporation may be amended to add a nonparty alter ego as a judgment debtor. (Hall, Goodhue, Haisley & Barker, Inc. v. Marconi Conf. Center Bd. (1996) 41 Cal.App.4th 1551, 1555 [49 Cal. Rptr. 2d 286]; Code Civ. Proc., § 187.) “This is an equitable procedure based on the theory that the court is not amending the judgment to add a new defendant but is merely inserting the correct name of the real defendant.” (NEC Electronics Inc. v. Hurt (1989) 208 Cal.App.3d 772, 778 [256 Cal. Rptr. 441].) It is also possible for a party to bring a wholly separate action against the individual to enforce a prior judgment against the corporation on an alter ego theory. (Brenelli Amedeo, S.P.A. v. Bakara Furniture, Inc. (1994) 29 Cal.App.4th 1828, 1840 [35 Cal. Rptr. 2d 348].)
Leek v. Cooper (2011) 194 Cal.App.4th 399, 417-19 (bold emphasis added).
Accordingly, the motion for judgment on the pleadings as to the third cause of action is DENIED.