California Court of Appeal Apr 29, 2014 No. E055261Unpublished
Filed 4/29/14 Daniell v. DeRiggi CA4/2
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.
IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION TWO
ANAND L. DANIELL,
Plaintiff and Appellant, E055261
v. (Super.Ct.No. RIC536488)
JOHN DERIGGI, OPINION
Defendant and Respondent.
APPEAL from the Superior Court of Riverside County. John W. Vineyard,
Pennsylvania resident who was dismissed from the action for lack of personal jurisdiction
following his motion to quash service of summons. Daniell appeals the judgment of
dismissal and orders granting DeRiggi’s motions for relief from default and to quash
service of summons on the grounds they are void because they were made by a court
commissioner in the absence of Daniell’s stipulation. He further contends the motions
should have been denied because DeRiggi made a general appearance at the case
management conference and thereby waived his jurisdictional challenge.2 Finally,
Daniell claims that, assuming DeRiggi appeared at the case management conference, his
2 During oral argument, Daniell faulted us for failing to address his assertion that the denial of DeRiggi’s motion to quash constituted a general appearance. California Rules of Court, rule 8.204, requires an opening brief to “[s]tate each point under a separate heading or subheading summarizing the point . . . .” (Calif. Rules of Court, rule 8.204(a)(1)(B).) Daniell’s heading in his opening brief stated: “[DERIGGI’S] MOTIONS FOR RELIEF FROM DEFAULT AND MOTION TO QUASH SHOULD HAVE BEEN DENIED BECAUSE HE MADE A GENERAL APPEARANCE BEFORE FILING THE MOTIONS.” Under this heading, Daniell argued that “prior to filing his first motion to quash, attorney Susan Welde appeared for [DeRiggi] at the case management conference held April 26, 2011. . . . Participation in a case management conference constitutes a general appearance. . . .” Only at the end of Daniell’s discussion of this issue did he raise in passing the following: “At a minimum, [DeRiggi] appeared when his initial motion to quash was denied. . . .” Having failed to comply with California Rules of Court, rule 8.204, the argument that Daniell claims we failed to address is deemed waived. Notwithstanding the above, the argument fails on its merits, as explained below.
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alternative request for relief from default on grounds of attorney fault fails because (1) he
had already appeared, and (2) he failed to submit a proposed pleading. We reject
Daniell’s challenges and affirm the judgment.
I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
This court is familiar with the underlying facts because of our prior published
opinion involving Daniell and another defendant in Daniell v. Riverside Partners I, L.P.
(2012) 206 Cal.App.4th 1292 (Daniell) [Fourth Dist., Div. Two]. Plaintiff was a tenant
in an apartment complex on Iowa Avenue in Riverside, commonly known as GrandMarc
at University Village. (Id. at p. 1296.) In 2007, GrandMarc filed an unlawful detainer
action against Daniell, which was later voluntarily dismissed. (Id. at p. 1297.) In March
2009, Daniell filed a malicious prosecution action (similar to the one before this court)
against other defendants; however, his claims were rejected as to many of those other
defendants and the pertinent rulings were upheld on appeal. (Id. at pp. 1295-1296.)
On September 21, 2009, Daniell initiated this action against DeRiggi and others.
Daniell’s theory is that defendants maliciously filed the unlawful detainer action in
retaliation for his alleged discovery and threat to expose GrandMarc for its involvement
in a nefarious tax scheme pioneered by Ernst & Young. The case was assigned to
Department 2 for case management purposes; however, on October 2, 2009, Daniell filed
his “Notice of Non-Stipulation to Commissioner or Judge Pro Tempore,” specifically
3
identifying Commissioner Paulette Durand-Barkley.3 The case was reassigned to
Department 6, Judge Mac R. Fisher, and Daniell’s notice of the reassignment indicated
that he could challenge Judge Fisher pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 170.6.4
The notice further stated: “If the case is assigned to a Commissioner, sitting as Judge Pro
Tempore, whose appointment as a Commissioner is in accordance with Article Six,
Section Twenty-Two of the Constitution of this State, and who has been appointed as a
Temporary Judge pursuant to an order of the Presiding Judge of the Court under the
authority of Article Six, Section Twenty-One of the Constitution and Section 259 of the
Code of Civil Procedure of this State. [¶] The parties must, within ten (10) days of the
date of notice of the assignment to a trial department, file a Notice of Non-Stipulation if
they do not stipulate to hearing before the Commissioner. Failure to file such notice
within ten (10) days shall be deemed an acceptance of the assignment.”
On December 20, 2010, the case was reassigned to Judge Mac R. Fisher, who was
sitting in Department 1 for case management purposes, and to Department 12 for law and
motion purposes. On January 24, 2011, the case was reassigned to Judge Jacqueline C.
Jackson in Department 7 for case management purposes and continued to be assigned to
Department 12 for law and motion purposes. Three days later, on January 27, 2011,
3 On August 6, 2012, Daniell requested that we take judicial notice of certain documents in the case file. DeRiggi opposed the request, and on August 28, 2012, we reserved ruling for consideration with this appeal. We grant the request with the exception of Exhibit D. (Evid. Code, § 452, subd. (d).)
4 All statutory references are to the Code of Civil Procedure unless otherwise indicated.
4
Daniell filed the first amended complaint. In response, DeRiggi filed a case management
statement wherein he stated that he “will challenge personal jurisdiction and is therefore
not appearing at the Case Management Conference.”
On February 14, 2011, Daniell filed an ex parte application to continue the case
management conference, which was assigned to and heard in Department 12 by then
Commissioner John W. Vineyard.5 According to the Registrar of Actions, all parties
stipulated to Commissioner John W. Vineyard. Commissioner Vineyard heard the matter
and Daniell never complained. On April 26, 2011, counsel for DeRiggi was present at
the case management conference hearing, which was heard by Judge Jacqueline C.
Jackson.
On June 7, 2011, Daniell was ordered to file a “declaration re: service” within two
weeks. On June 20, 2011, Daniell filed his proof of service of the first amended
complaint on DeRiggi in Malvern, Pennsylvania, via Certified Mail. On July 5, 2011,
Daniell’s ex parte motion to discharge the order to show cause regarding service was
heard before Commissioner Paulette Durand-Barkley. On July 12, 2011, Daniell
requested entry of default judgment against DeRiggi. Two days later, counsel for
DeRiggi filed a notice of motion to quash service of summons on specially appearing
defendant DeRiggi. DeRiggi submitted a declaration in support of the motion, wherein
he denied any contacts with the State of California other than “a .004% ownership
5As noted later in this opinion, in one of Daniell’s companion cases (case No. RIC520405) Daniell refused to stipulate to Commissioner John W. Vineyard on February 10, 2011.
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interest[] in GMH Communities Trust,” which owned “four properties in California at
various times during the period of 2004 until June 2008, at which time it was acquired by
American Campus Communities, Inc.,” and approximately three to five business trips per
year on behalf of his employers. On July 14, 2011, Daniell filed a section 170.6
challenge against Judge Jacqueline C. Jackson and the case was reassigned to Department
10 before Judge Sharon J. Waters.
On August 2, 2011, Daniell filed his opposition to DeRiggi’s motion on the
ground that DeRiggi failed to request relief from default that had been entered against
him. In his later filing, Daniell argued that DeRiggi waived his right to challenge
jurisdiction when his attorney personally appeared at the case management conference.
Following briefing, DeRiggi’s motion was initially heard on August 30, 2011. According
to the minute order, “All parties stipulate[d] to John W. Vineyard.” The trial court denied
the motion without prejudice on the ground that DeRiggi was required to request relief
from default simultaneously with his motion to quash. Thus, on September 2, 2011,
DeRiggi refiled his motion to quash service of summons with a motion for relief from
default.
On October 11, 2011, the trial court granted DeRiggi’s motions for the following
reasons. Regarding discretionary relief from default, “service on Mr. DeRiggi was by
mail out of state. I believe he was in Pennsylvania, mailed on June 6th, 2011. Based on
statute, the response would be due on July 18th. A default was entered six days early.
Based on [section] 473[, subdivision] (d), that’s a void default, and I would grant the
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motion.” Regarding the motion to quash service and summons, the court observed that
“it is the plaintiff’s burden of proof to establish the defendant’s minimum contacts with
California as a basis for jurisdiction.” Here Daniell failed to meet this burden. Finding
that DeRiggi had no contracts with California, the trial court granted the motion. Further,
regarding the issue of whether DeRiggi had made a general appearance at the case
management conference, the trial court found it “clear on the record that when counsel
was appearing, [s]he either specially appeared for Mr. DeRiggi or specifically excluded
him from the appearance.” The Register of Actions notes that “[a]ll parties stipulate to
Commissioner John W. Vineyard.” On October 27, 2011, an order was entered
dismissing DeRiggi with prejudice.
On December 12, 2011, Daniell filed notice that he was appealing “(1) the
October 11, 2011 order granting Defendant John DeRiggi’s motion to quash service of
summons; and (2) the October 27, 2011 order/judgment dismissing Defendant John
DeRiggi from the above-entitled action.” (Italics omitted.)
II. TRIAL COURT’S AUTHORITY TO HEAR DERIGGI’S MOTIONS
Daniell contends the trial court had no authority to hear and rule on any of
DeRiggi’s motions because (1) he filed a notice of nonstipulation to commissioner or
judge pro tempore within 10 days of filing his complaint, and (2) he did not impliedly
stipulate to a commissioner or judge pro tempore hearing the motions.
According to Daniell, he admits receiving notice from the Riverside County
Superior Court Clerk, which stated: “‘The parties must, within ten (10) days of the date
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of notice of the assignment to a trial department, file a Notice of Non-Stipulation if they
do not stipulate to hearing before the Commissioner.’” Thus, after filing his complaint
and being informed that the case had been assigned to Department 2 (Commissioner
Paulette Durand-Barkley), Daniell filed a notice of nonstipulation to commissioner or
judge pro tempore. The case was reassigned to Department 6, Judge Mac R. Fisher, and
Daniell was notified that he could challenge Judge Fisher under section 170.6, and that if
the case was assigned to a commissioner he must notify the court of his refusal to
stipulate to the commissioner. Apparently, Daniell is of the understanding that his notice
of nonstipulation as to Commissioner Durand-Barkley filed on October 2, 2009, was
sufficient to object to the case being assigned to any commissioner or judge pro tempore.
However, his understanding is incorrect.
According to Daniell, the California Constitution, article VI, section 22,6 and
Code of Civil Procedure section 259, subdivision (e) required a written stipulation before
the commissioner could hear the matter, and there was neither an express nor implied
stipulation. He further supports his argument by citing to this court’s opinion in In re
Frye (1983) 150 Cal.App.3d 407 (Frye) [Fourth Dist., Div. Two]. In Frye we held that
an implied stipulation presupposes “voluntary and knowing assent.” (Id. at p. 409.)
However, knowing assent may not be found on a silent record. In Frye, the reporter’s
6 Although Daniell references section 21 of article VI of the California Constitution, the correct reference should be to section 22. Section 21 applies when a member of the State Bar is ordered to act as a temporary judge, while section 22 applies when the Legislature authorizes the trial courts to appoint commissioners to perform subordinate judicial duties.
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transcript of the hearing failed to disclose any stipulation or knowledge that
Commissioner Honn was a commissioner rather than a judge. (Ibid.) There was no
written stipulation in the court file. And the only notice that Commissioner Honn was a
commissioner was a sign “posted in the hearing room stating that unless some objection
is voiced it will be deemed stipulated the commissioner may act in the capacity of judge
pro tempore.” (Ibid.) We did not determine the sufficiency of this procedure because we
found that neither the petitioner nor his counsel “knew that Commissioner Honn was a
commissioner rather than a judge and knew of the posted notice . . . .” (Ibid.) Thus, we
concluded that “[i]n the absence of a proper stipulation Commissioner Honn lacked
authority to hear and determine the contempt proceeding and the order of contempt is
void.” (Ibid.)
Given the record before this court, we reject Daniell’s contentions and find our
decision in Frye distinguishable. “First, although the original constitutional language
providing for temporary judges, as well as the current language of the Code of Civil
Procedure, speaks of a written stipulation of the parties litigant, [our Supreme Court has]
ratified a line of cases recognizing that a valid stipulation for purposes of the
constitutional provision may arise as a result of the conduct of the parties. These cases
hold that conduct short of an express oral or written stipulation may be tantamount to a
stipulation that a court commissioner may sit as a temporary judge. [Citations.] As one
Court of Appeal has said, ‘An attorney may not sit back, fully participate in a trial and
then claim that the court was without jurisdiction on receiving a result unfavorable to him
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[or her].’ [Citation.]” (In re Horton (1991) 54 Cal.3d 82, 91, fn. omitted, original
italics.) “Under the ‘tantamount stipulation’ doctrine, the parties confer judicial power
not because they thought in those terms; had they done so, the stipulation presumably
would be express. Rather, an implied stipulation arises from the parties’ common intent
that the subordinate officer hearing their case do things which, in fact, can only be done
by a judge.” (In re Mark L. (1983) 34 Cal.3d 171, 179, fn. 6, original italics.)
Here, we conclude that the conduct of Daniell is tantamount to a stipulation that
Commissioner Vineyard was authorized to sit as a temporary judge. As we previously
noted, this is not the only malicious prosecution case Daniell has filed involving the
unlawful detainer action initiated against him. On October 17, 2012, DeRiggi asked that
we augment the record and take judicial notice of certain documents in this case, along
with Riverside Superior Court case No. RIC520405. Daniell opposed both the motion
and the request, and we reserved ruling for consideration with this appeal. We now grant
the motion to augment as to Exhibits 1 through 7, inclusive, and 32. As for DeRiggi’s
request for judicial notice, we take notice of Exhibits 5 and 6 only. (Evid. Code, § 452,
subd. (d).) According to Exhibits 5 and 6 of the request for judicial notice, on
February 10, 2011, in Daniell’s companion case (case No. RIC520405), Daniell
specifically refused to stipulate to Commissioner Vineyard hearing a demurrer. Because
Daniell was aware that Commissioner Vineyard was a commissioner as of February
2011, the facts in Frye are distinguishable. In that case, counsel rarely practiced in
Riverside and declared that he did not know that Commissioner Honn was a
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commissioner. (Frye, supra, 150 Cal.App.3d at p. 409.) Here, Daniell’s refusal to
stipulate to Commissioner Vineyard in case No. RIC520405 evidences his knowledge
that Commissioner Vineyard was a commissioner.
According to Exhibit 32 of DeRiggi’s motion to augment, at a May 24, 2012,
hearing before Commissioner Durand-Barkley the issue of Daniell’s stipulation to have
Commissioner Vineyard hear the defense motions which are now on appeal before this
court was discussed. Defense counsel pointed out that Daniell had submitted a
declaration in which he merely said that he did not recall stipulating to Commissioner
Vineyard. Daniell responded by noting that the reporter’s transcript was quiet as to any
stipulation. The following exchange occurred:
“MR. DANIELL: Yeah. I don’t have the transcript with me, but that wasn’t
discussed at all in the minutes. They say nonstipulation because nobody objected,
apparently. But I—you know, he didn’t—I thought he was a judge.
“THE COURT: But he has a sign just like I do—
“[DERIGGI’S COUNSEL]: That says ‘commissioner.’
“THE COURT: —that says ‘commissioner.’
“[DERIGGI’S COUNSEL]: And at the beginning of the hearing—”
Given Daniell’s prior refusal to stipulate to Commissioner Vineyard in February
2011 in his companion case (case No. RIC520405), coupled with the minute orders from
this case, which note “All parties stipulate to Commissioner John W. Vineyard,” and the
fact that Daniell noted on the various pleadings he filed that the matters were being heard
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by the “Hon. John W. Vineyard,” we find an implied, if not express, stipulation to having
Commissioner Vineyard hear and decide DeRiggi’s motions for relief from default and to
quash service of summons. Accordingly, we reject Daniell’s challenge to the trial court’s
authority to hear and rule on DeRiggi’s motions and conclude the judgment of dismissal
is not void.
III. APPEARANCE OF DERIGGI’S COUNSEL AT THE CASE
MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE
Daniell contends that because DeRiggi’s counsel made an appearance for DeRiggi
at the case management conference, DeRiggi should be deemed to have generally
appeared in the matter. We disagree.
A general appearance in an action operates as a consent to the jurisdiction of the
person. (Dial 800 v. Fesbinder (2004) 118 Cal.App.4th 32, 52 (Dial 800).) “It has long
been the rule in California that ‘a party waives any objection to the court’s exercise of
personal jurisdiction when the party makes a general appearance in the action.’
[Citations.]” (Air Machine Com SRL v. Superior Court (2010) 186 Cal.App.4th 414, 419
(Air Machine).) A party makes a general appearance when it “engages in acts or
activities that recognize the court’s jurisdiction over the party.” (Id. at p. 426.)
“To determine whether [a party] has made a general appearance, we do not look to
whether it characterizes its appearances as ‘general’ or ‘special.’ Instead, we must look
to the ‘character of the relief asked.’ [Citations.] An appearance is general if the party
contests the merits of the case or raises other than jurisdictional objections. [Citations.]”
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(366-368 Geary St., L.P. v. Superior Court (1990) 219 Cal.App.3d 1186, 1193.) Section
1014 provides: “A defendant appears in an action when the defendant answers, demurs,
files a notice of motion to strike . . . gives the plaintiff written notice of appearance, or
when an attorney gives notice of appearance for the defendant. . . .” “‘The statutory list
of acts constituting an appearance [under section 1014] is not exclusive; “rather the term
may apply to various acts which, under all of the circumstances, are deemed to confer
jurisdiction of the person. . . .” [Citation.]’” (Air Machine, supra, 186 Cal.App.4th at p.
420; see also Dial 800, supra, 118 Cal.App.4th at p. 53 [noting California courts have
found general appearances under varying circumstances in which the defendant seeks
affirmative relief].)
Here, Daniell argues that during the April 26, 2011, case management conference,
DeRiggi’s counsel stated an appearance for the corporate defendants “and individual
defendants.” Thus, he argues that she was referring to DeRiggi and therefore generally
appeared on his behalf. However, counsel never stated an appearance for DeRiggi and
never mentioned DeRiggi’s name. Rather, according to the case management statement
filed on February 7, 2011, counsel for DeRiggi noted that DeRiggi “will challenge
personal jurisdiction and is therefore not appearing at the case management conference.”
On October 11, 2011, DeRiggi’s counsel explained that her prior reference to “individual
defendants” was made because the first amended complaint, which had not yet been
served at the time of the case management conference, named numerous individual
defendants and it had not yet been determined which of those additional defendants might
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also be represented by counsel. After DeRiggi was served with the summons and the first
amended complaint, counsel immediately sought to quash service on the grounds of lack
of personal jurisdiction.
Daniell asserts that the trial court’s denial of DeRiggi’s initial motion to quash
constituted a general appearance. He argues that even though the denial was without
prejudice, section 418.10, subdivision (e)(1)7 provides that a denial of a motion to quash
necessarily constitutes a general appearance. Under the facts of this case, we disagree.
First, we note that the language of section 418.10, subdivision (e)(1) is
inapplicable in this case because it contemplates situations where the motion to quash
was filed “on or before the last day of [the] time to plead or within any further time that
the court may for good cause allow . . . .” (§ 418.10, subd. (a).) Here, Daniell, albeit
prematurely, took DeRiggi’s default. Thus, when DeRiggi brought his motion to quash,
it was beyond the time contemplated by section 418.10, subdivision (a).
7 Section 418.10, in relevant part, provides: “(a) A defendant, on or before the last day of his or her time to plead or within any further time that the court may for good cause allow, may serve and file a notice of motion for one or more of the following purposes: [¶] (1) To quash service of summons on the ground of lack of jurisdiction of the court over him or her. [¶] . . . [¶] (e) A defendant . . . may make a motion under this section and simultaneously answer, demur, or move to strike the complaint . . . . [¶] (1) Notwithstanding Section 1014, no act by a party who makes a motion under this section, including filing an answer, demurrer, or motion to strike constitutes an appearance, unless the court denies the motion made under this section. If the court denies the motion made under this section, the defendant . . . is not deemed to have generally appeared until entry of the order denying the motion. [¶] (2) If the motion made under this section is denied and the defendant . . . petitions for a writ of mandate pursuant to subdivision (c), the defendant . . . is not deemed to have generally appeared until the proceedings on the writ petition have finally concluded.”
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Second, and more important, the trial court’s denial of DeRiggi’s initial motion to
quash was not a denial based on the merits, nor was it a final ruling on the motion. The
trial court was very specific on this point: initially, the court’s tentative ruling was to
grant the motion to quash; however, when Daniell opposed the motion as being
procedurally improper because DeRiggi failed to request relief from default, the trial
court agreed that the motion to quash needed to be accompanied by a request for relief
from default. Thus, the court allowed DeRiggi to withdraw his motion and refile it with a
request for relief from default. In articulating this ruling, the following exchange
occurred:
“[THE COURT:] . . . [M]y understanding of the general rule is that a party in
default, is out of court, does not have standing, and the Court has no jurisdiction to hear
motions of any kind, other than a relief from entry of default, at least brought
concurrently. And without that motion for relief, this motion would be improper, and I
would be denying it without prejudice, subject to a motion for relief from default.
[¶] . . . [¶]
“[DERIGGI’S COUNSEL]: . . . Our concern in bringing the motion for default—
motion to set aside the default, is that we would waive the jurisdictional challenge.
We’ve had such a hard fight and—
“THE COURT: Well, there is no reason they can’t be brought together.
to bring the motion for relief from default based on, in my own experience, where I’ve
15
had people come in where a default was against them, but the Court found there was no
jurisdiction, and the Court didn’t honor the default.
“Secondly . . . there is no jurisdiction against someone. . . . We have a valid
jurisdictional challenge. We raised it timely . . . . And the default is clearly by statute
improper.
“So there is no basis not to grant the relief, because . . . all that Mr. Daniell did
was run in and file an improper default that should have never been accepted by the
Court, and here we’ve got a lack of jurisdiction over the party. And if the Court finds
there is no jurisdiction, then the default is void anyway . . . . If you have a void default—
it’s not that we’re asking for relief to set aside because we made a mistake. It’s void ab
initio . . . . If you don’t have jurisdiction, and you can establish that, then the default was
always void through lack of jurisdiction.
“THE COURT: I have considered the argument of counsel and Mr. Daniell, and I
am going to deny the motion without prejudice based on the entry of the default. . . .
“I’m going to return your copy to you.
“. . . I am denying without prejudice so that you can bring the motion with a
concurrent motion for relief.
[¶] . . . [¶]
“[DERIGGI’S COUNSEL]: Let me just—so I understand, so Mr. Daniell doesn’t
come back and say we don’t have a right to bring this motion . . . . I just want to clarify
that you’re giving us leave to file a motion on behalf of Mr. [DeRiggi], which would still
16
constitute a special appearance, that he would be setting aside the default that was
previously entered and also concurrently then moving to quash.
“THE COURT: Let me make it clear. I’m denying the motion today without
prejudice. I believe that the statute and the case law—and there is authority that the
motion to quash service of summons based on personal jurisdiction can be brought
simultaneously with a motion for relief from default, and I’m specifically giving leave to
do that.
“[DERIGGI’S COUNSEL]: And there is no waiver for special appearance?
“THE COURT: That’s correct. This is still a special appearance at this point.”
As the above exchange shows, the trial court never considered the merits of
DeRiggi’s initial motion to quash because Daniell pointed out that it was procedurally
improper. Instead, the court returned the paperwork to DeRiggi’s counsel and “denied”
the motion without prejudice so that he could bring it with a concurrent motion for relief.
In effect, DeRiggi’s motion to quash was withdrawn, not denied.
To summarize, DeRiggi’s counsel did not make a general appearance on behalf of
DeRiggi at the case management conference. Furthermore, the court’s “denial without
prejudice” of DeRiggi’s motion to quash amounted to allowing DeRiggi to withdraw the
motion and refile it with a request for relief. As such, it does not constitute a general
appearance.
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IV. RELIEF FROM DEFAULT ON GROUNDS OF ATTORNEY FAULT
In his final claim, Daniell assumes that DeRiggi made a general appearance and
then contends that his only remedy was to “obtain relief from default” under section 473.
Because we conclude there was no general appearance by DeRiggi, we likewise conclude
there was no need for a section 473 motion. Thus, this issue is moot.
V. DISPOSITION
The judgment of dismissal is affirmed. Costs on appeal are awarded to defendant
and respondent.
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS
HOLLENHORST Acting P. J. We concur:
RICHLI J.
KING J.
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AI Brief
AI-generated · verify before citing
Holding. The court held that the trial court properly exercised jurisdiction over the motions because the appellant's conduct constituted an implied stipulation to the commissioner's authority, and the respondent did not make a general appearance by participating in a case management conference or by filing a motion to quash that was denied without prejudice.
Issues
Whether the trial court commissioner lacked authority to rule on motions in the absence of an express stipulation.
Whether the respondent made a general appearance by participating in a case management conference.
Whether the denial of a motion to quash without prejudice constitutes a general appearance under Code of Civil Procedure section 418.10.
Disposition. Affirmed
Quotations verified verbatim against the opinion
“conduct of the parties. These cases hold that conduct short of an express oral or written stipulation may be tantamount to a stipulation that a court commissioner may sit as a temporary judge.”
“An appearance is general if the party contests the merits of the case or raises other than jurisdictional objections.”
“The trial court never considered the merits of DeRiggi’s initial motion to quash because Daniell pointed out that it was procedurally improper.”