BOWEN vs YUEN, et al.

23CV037347: BOWEN vs YUEN, et al. 07/16/2026 Hearing on Motion to Compel Further Discovery Responses filed by Global International Investment LLC (Defendant) CRS# 227173198970 in Department 520

Tentative Ruling - 07/15/2026 Jamilah A. Jefferson

The Motion to Compel Further Discovery Responses filed by Global International Investment LLC on 06/11/2026 is Granted in Part.

NOTICE: This tentative ruling will automatically become the court’s final order on July 16, 2026 unless, by no later than 10:00 A.M. on July 16, 2026, a party to the action notifies BOTH: 1) the court by emailing Dept520@alameda.courts.ca.gov; AND 2) all opposing counsel or self- represented parties (by telephone or email) that the party is contesting this tentative ruling.

Oral argument on properly contested matters will be held on August 7, 2026.

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The Motion of Defendant Global International Investment LLC (“Defendant”) to Compel Further is GRANTED IN PART. (Code Civ. Proc., § 2030.300.)

Defendant does not request a specific amount of sanctions but counsel states that his hourly rate is $450 and that he spent a total of 17.5 hours on this motion, which is excessive. (Mazzocone Reply Decl., ¶¶ 3-4.) Monetary sanctions are thus awarded in the reduced amount of $700 against Plaintiffs and Plaintiffs’ counsel, payable to Defendant forthwith.

Plaintiffs shall provide code-compliant, verified responses without objections as detailed below within 21 days of this Order.

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BACKGROUND

Defendant seeks further responses for Form Interrogatories, specifically Nos. 9.1, 9.2, 12.4, 14.1, 17.1, 50.1, and 50.2 propounded on February 24, 2026. (Mazzocone Decl., ¶ 3, Ex. A.) Plaintiffs Raphael Bennett, Guardian Ad Litem for Elijah Uziel Bennett and Olivia Eden Bennet, successors in interest for Leah Bowen (“Plaintiffs”) respond similarly to most interrogatories that “discovery continues”. (Separate Statement, pp. 3:20-5:19.)

DISCUSSION

It is the responding party’s obligation to provide answers “as complete and straightforward as the 23CV037347: BOWEN vs YUEN, et al. 07/16/2026 Hearing on Motion to Compel Further Discovery Responses filed by Global International Investment LLC (Defendant) CRS# 227173198970 in Department 520 information reasonably available to the responding party permits” and to “make a reasonable and good-faith effort to obtain the information by inquiry to other natural persons or organizations, except where the information is equally available to the propounding party.” (CCP § 2030.220(a), (c).)

It is undisputed that Plaintiffs did not do so here. While Plaintiffs allege that they responded to the best of their ability and that their responses are codecompliant in light of their lack of personal knowledge, this is insufficient. (Oppo., p. 2:16-20.) Further, as Defendant points out and Plaintiffs do not address, Plaintiffs fail to respond to FROG 17.1 altogether. Plaintiffs shall respond in compliance with Code of Civil Procedure section 2030.220.

Defendant’s Motion is GRANTED IN PART.

As an aside, to Defendant’s argument that Plaintiffs failed to comply with Local Rule 3.31, the IDC requirement has sunsetted. This Department does not require an Informal Discovery Conference, although parties are strongly encourage to resolve any discovery disputes informally without court intervention. (MPA, p. 2:14-16; (Mazzocone Decl., ¶ 15.)

NOTICE TO PLAINTIFFS: Plaintiffs are advised that failure to comply with this Order may result in the imposition of future sanctions, including evidentiary, monetary, or terminating sanctions.

NOTICE: This tentative ruling will automatically become the court’s final order on July 16, 2026 unless, by no later than 10:00 A.M. on July 16, 2026, a party to the action notifies BOTH: 1) the court by emailing Dept520@alameda.courts.ca.gov; AND 2) all opposing counsel or self- represented parties (by telephone or email) that the party is contesting this tentative ruling.

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NOTICE: This tentative ruling will automatically become the court’s final order on July 16, 2026 unless, by no later than 10:00 A.M. on July 16, 2026, a party to the action notifies BOTH: 1) the court by emailing Dept520@alameda.courts.ca.gov; AND 2) all opposing counsel or selfrepresented parties (by telephone or email) that the party is contesting this tentative ruling.

The subject line (RE:) of the email must state: “Request for CONTESTED HEARING: [the case name], [number].” When a party emails to contest a tentative ruling, the party must identify the specific holding(s) within the ruling they wish to contest via oral argument.

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF ALAMEDA

23CV037347: BOWEN vs YUEN, et al. 07/16/2026 Hearing on Motion to Compel Further Discovery Responses filed by Global International Investment LLC (Defendant) CRS# 227173198970 in Department 520

The court does not provide court reporters for hearings in civil departments. A party who wants a record of the proceedings must engage a private court reporter. (Local Rule 3.95.) Any privately retained court reporter must also participate via video conference. Their email must be provided to the court at the time the Notice of Contest is emailed.

ALL CONTESTED LAW AND MOTION HEARINGS ARE CONDUCTED VIA REMOTE VIDEO unless an in person appearance is required by the court. Invitations to participate in the video proceeding will be sent by the court upon receipt of timely notice of contest. A party may give email notice he/she will appear in court in person for the hearing, however all other counsel/parties and the JUDGE MAY APPEAR REMOTELY.