STEWARD vs FORD

25CV154533: STEWARD vs FORD 07/14/2026 Hearing on Motion to Confirm Arbitration Award in Department 514

Tentative Ruling - 07/10/2026 Julie Wilensky

Carlyn Steward (“Petitioner”) brings this petition to confirm an arbitration award against Daryll Ford and DL Auto Lux.

The arbitration was conducted on 9/25/2025 by David B. Van Etten, Esq., via Zoom. On 10/21/2025, Arbitrator Van Etten issued a final award against Respondents (identified therein as Daryll Ford and DL Auto Lux, both appearing in pro se) and in favor of Petitioner in the amount of $37,797.14. The final award includes $28,167.78 in damages, $4,700 in administrative fees and expenses, and $4,929.36 in prejudgment interest. (Pet. Att. 8(c).) This petition seeks to confirm the award as to “Daryll Ford of DL Auto Lux.”

The Court has continued this matter twice, first for compliance with statutory pleading and service requirements, and again for proper service on both Respondents identified in the award. Petitioner has cured the pleading issues and has filed proof of service of the petition and supporting documentation for both Respondents.

If a petition to confirm an arbitration award is filed, the court “shall confirm the award as made. . . unless in accordance with this chapter it corrects the award and confirms it as corrected, vacates the award or dismisses the proceeding.”(Code Civ. Proc. (“CCP”) §1286.) A petition to vacate or correct an award must be served and filed by the respondent or respondent’s representative not later than 100 days after service of the signed award. (CCP § 1288.2.) The Court has not received a response to the petition or a request to vacate or correct the award.

The unopposed petition is GRANTED. The Court hereby confirms the award as made and will enter judgment in favor of Petitioner.

Within seven days of this order Petitioner shall lodge a proposed judgment in the record and email the proposed judgment to dept514@alameda.courts.ca.gov. If Petitioner seeks prejudgment interest the proposed judgment shall include an interest calculation.

The Court notes that the petition requests attorneys’ fees incurred in this action. Because Petitioner is self-represented in this proceeding, she did not incur, and therefore cannot recover, attorneys’ fees.

HOW DO I CONTEST A TENTATIVE RULING?

THROUGH ECOURT Notify the Court and all the other parties no later than 4:00 PM one court day before the scheduled hearing, and briefly identify the issues you wish to argue through the following steps: 1. Log into eCourt Public Portal 25CV154533: STEWARD vs FORD 07/14/2026 Hearing on Motion to Confirm Arbitration Award in Department 514 2. Case Search 3. Enter the Case Number and select “Search” 4. Select the Case Name 5. Select the Tentative Rulings Tab 6. Select “Click to Contest this Ruling” 7. Enter your Name and Reason for Contesting 8. Select “Proceed”

BY EMAIL Send an email to the DEPARTMENT CLERK and all the other parties. This will permit the department clerk to send invitations to counsel to appear remotely.

BOTH ECOURT AND EMAIL notices are required.