Chaoui v. 712 Financial Services LLC et al.

(49) Tentative Ruling

Re: Chaoui v. 712 Financial Services LLC et al. Superior Court Case No. 25CECG01784

Hearing Date: August 20, 2026 (Dept. 503)

Motion: By Defendant to Compel Plaintiff’s Response to Defendant’s Form Interrogatories, Special Interrogatories, and Request for Production of Documents to Plaintiff, Set One, and Request for Sanctions;

Tentative Ruling:

To grant defendants’ motions to compel plaintiff’s responses to defendant’s Form Interrogatories, Special Interrogatories, and Requests for Production of Documents (Set One). Plaintiff is ordered to serve verified responses, without objections, and produce all responsive documents, within 30 days of the clerk’s service of the minute order.

To impose monetary sanctions in favor of defendant and against plaintiff Khalid Chaoui. (Code Civ. Proc., §§ 2023.010, subd. (d), 2030.290, subd. (c), 2031.300, subd. (c).) Plaintiff is ordered to pay $1230 in sanctions to Clovis Law Group LLP, within 30 days of the clerk’s service of the minute order.

Explanation:

Compel Responses

Defendant 712 Financial Services LLC (“Defendant”) moves to compel initial responses from plaintiff Khalid Chaoui (“Plaintiff”) for Defendant’s Form Interrogatories, Special Interrogatories, and Requests for Production of Documents, Set One (collectively “Set One”).

Responses to interrogatories and requests for production are due within 30 days after service. (Code Civ. Proc., §§ 2030.260, subd. (a), 2031.250, subd. (a).) If the party fails to serve responses, that party waives all objections to the interrogatories or request for production. (Code Civ. Proc., §§ 2030.290, subd. (a), 2031.300, subd. (a).)

On March 16, 2026, Defendant served Form Interrogatories, Set One on Plaintiff. (Kucera Decl. ISO Compel Form Interrogatories, ¶ 2.) On March 24, 2026, Defendant served Requests for Production of Documents, Set One on Plaintiff. (Kucera Decl. ISO Compel Requests for Production, ¶ 2.) On April 15, 2026, Defendant served Special Interrogatories, Set One on Plaintiff. (Kucera Decl. ISO Compel Special Interrogatories, ¶ 2.) As of May 28, 2026, Plaintiff has not sent verified responses to Set One. (Id., ¶ 4.) Plaintiff filed a late opposition requesting a continuance in order to obtain counsel and file opposition. Plaintiff has had over four months since the initial discovery was served to obtain counsel and provide responses. Plaintiff gives no indication in their opposition that

Plaintiff has served responses to the served discovery. Accordingly, the motions to compel responses to Set One are granted.

Sanctions

When a motion to compel responses is filed, the court shall impose monetary sanctions against the losing party unless there was substantial justification. (Code Civ. Proc., §§ 2023.010, subd. (d), 2030.290, subd. (c), 2031.300, subd. (c).) The court may require a party who misuses the discovery process to “pay the reasonable expenses, including attorney’s fees, incurred by anyone as a result of that conduct.” (Id., § 2023.030, subd. (a).) Misuse of the discovery process includes failing to respond to discovery. (Id., § 2023.010, subd. (d).)

Defendants are seeking sanctions in the amount of $2,160 for each of the motions based on 6 hours of work by an attorney at $350 an hour, $60 in costs. The 6 hours of attorney time is based on 3 hours to prepare each motion to compel and 3 hours in anctipication to prepare a reply to Plaintiff’s Opposition and to prepare and attend a hearing on the motion. Defendant did not file a reply to Plaintiff’s opposition. Further, no hearing has occurred yet. The court also notes the largely identical nature of the motions filed. Accordingly, Defendants request for sanctions is granted but reduced. Plaintiff is ordered to pay $1230 in reduced sanctions to Clovis Law Group LLP, within 30 days of the service of the minute order.

Pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 3.1312(a), and Code of Civil Procedure section 1019.5, subdivision (a), no further written order is necessary. The minute order adopting this tentative ruling will serve as the order of the court and service by the clerk will constitute notice of the order.

Tentative Ruling

Issued By: JS on 8/18/2026. (Judge’s initials) (Date)

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