CAPITOLA STRONG, INC. v. LA SERENA PROPERTIES LLC

The demurrer is sustained without leave to amend and the motion to strike is granted. Plaintiffs’ action relates to a residential lease signed by plaintiff Capitola Strong Inc. and cannot be maintained since that entity is unrepresented by counsel.1 As shown by defendant’s request for judicial notice, Capitola Strong Inc. signed the residential lease and thereafter lost an unlawful detainer court trial related to the lease. There is no reasonable possibility that the defects in plaintiffs’ first amended complaint can be cured by amendment and it is dismissed with prejudice. (Kong v. City of Hawaiian Gardens Redevelopment Agency (2002) 108 Cal.App.4th 1028, 1037.) Self-represented plaintiffs Michelle Strong and LaSalle Strong filed an untimely opposition, three court days late. The Court declines to consider it. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.1300(d).) The law is clear that self-represented litigants must adhere to the same procedural requirements, including deadlines, as attorneys. “A party proceeding in propria persona ‘is to be treated like any other party and is entitled to the same, but no greater[,] consideration than other litigants and attorneys.’ Indeed, ‘the in propria persona litigant is held to the same restrictive rules of procedure as an attorney.’ [Citation.]” (First American Title Co. v. Mirzaian (2003) 108 Cal.App.4th 956, 958, fn. 1; see also Nwosu v. Uba (2004) 122 Cal.App.4th 1229, 1246-1247.)

1 Plaintiffs appear to have entered a dismissal as to Capitola Strong, Inc. to avoid a ruling related to its inability to appear. However, its removal from this action fails to change the underlying issue that the corporate entity signed the residential lease and lost the residential unlawful detainer trial. LAW AND MOTION TENTATIVE RULINGS DATE: MAY 18, 2026 TIME: 8:30 A.M.

To make exceptions for self-represented parties would “lead to a quagmire in the trial courts.” (Rappleyea v. Campbell (1994) 8 Cal.4th 975, 985.) Defendant’s request for judicial notice (Exhibits A and B) is granted.