Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_04-cv-00672/USCOURTS-cand-3_04-cv-00672-8/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 190
Nature of Suit: Other Contract Actions
Cause of Action: 28:1332 Diversity-Breach of Contract

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SAMGAMO BIOSCIENCES, INC.,

Plaintiff,

v.

CARGOLUX AIRLINES

INTERNATIONAL, S.A., et al.,

Defendants.

___________________________________/

No. C-04-0672 JSW (EMC)

ORDER RE SUPPLEMENTAL

BRIEFING AND/OR EVIDENCE IN

SUPPORT OF PLAINTIFF’S MOTION

FOR DEFAULT JUDGMENT

(Docket No. 70)

Plaintiff Samgamo Biosciences, Inc. has moved for default judgment with respect to three

Defendants in the above-referenced case, namely, Intersped Logistics Group, Inc. (“Intersped”);

RPG International Freights Ltd. (“RPG”); and Mr. Cargo Ltd. (“Mr. Cargo”). Judge White has

referred the motion for default judgment to the undersigned for a report and recommendation.

Previously, the Court issued an order asking Samgamo to provide supplemental briefing and

evidence in light of certain concerns of the Court. Samgamo did so, and, having reviewed that

information, the Court hereby orders Samgamo to provide further briefing and/or evidence as

described below.

As a preliminary matter, the Court notes that, in its complaint, Samgamo asserted claims

against all three Defendants for breach of the duty of common carriage. While Samgamo did not

specify in its complaint which common carriage statute was applicable, its supplemental briefing of

September 26, 2005, establishes Samgamo’s reliance on the Convention for the Unification of

Certain Rules Relating to International Carriage by Air (“Warsaw Convention”). See 49 U.S.C. §

Case 3:04-cv-00672-JSW Document 93 Filed 11/07/05 Page 1 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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 The Warsaw Convention was the basis for removal of this case to federal court.

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40105.1 Under the Warsaw Convention, there is the presumption that any damage or loss occurring

during the performance of a contract for international air transportation was the result of an event

during transportation by air. See id., art. 18. 

Given that Samgamo is proceeding under the Warsaw Convention and the Convention

applies to all three Defendants, the Court has two concerns that Samgamo should address.

1. Preemption of State Law Claims

In its previous supplemental briefing, Samgamo states that it is seeking relief not only

pursuant to the Warsaw Convention but also pursuant to state common law -- i.e., negligence and

breach of contract. However, if the Warsaw Convention is applicable, then it would seem that the

state common law claims would be preempted. See id., art. 24 (providing that the Warsaw

Convention is the exclusive remedy for claims which its provisions govern). Samgamo should

discuss whether or not there is preemption in the instant case.

2. Damages

Moreover, if the Warsaw Convention is applicable, then the scope of damages that can be

awarded is defined by the Convention. Under Article 22(2), 

[i]n the transportation of checked baggage and of goods, the liability

of the carrier shall be limited to a sum of 250 francs per kilogram,

unless the consignor has made, at the time when the package was

handed over to the carrier, a special declaration of the value at delivery

and has paid a supplementary sum if the case so requires. In that case

the carrier will be liable to pay a sum not exceeding the declared sum,

unless he proves that that sum is greater than the actual value to the

consignor at delivery.

Id., art. 22(2). Samgamo should provide briefing and/or evidence to support its claim for damages

under the Warsaw Convention, including but not limited to providing a true copy of the air

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Case 3:04-cv-00672-JSW Document 93 Filed 11/07/05 Page 2 of 3
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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waybill for the transaction at issue and an analysis of its effect on damages Samgamo will provide

all supplemental briefing and/or evidence in this matter by November 14, 2005.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: November 4, 2005

_________________________ EDWARD M. CHEN

United States Magistrate Judge

Case 3:04-cv-00672-JSW Document 93 Filed 11/07/05 Page 3 of 3