Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_05-cv-00393/USCOURTS-caed-1_05-cv-00393-10/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

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SHAUKAT “SAL” MAREDIA, et al.,)

 )

Plaintiffs, )

)

v. )

)

PHILIP MORRIS USA INC., et )

al., )

)

 Defendants. )

______________________________)

)

PHILIP MORRIS USA INC., )

 )

 Counter-Claimant, )

 )

v. )

 )

SHAUKAT “SAL” MAREDIA, )

 )

 Counter-Defendant. )

 )

1:05-cv-00393-OWW-SMS

ORDER PERMITTING THE FILING OF

SUPPLEMENTAL BRIEFING NO LATER

THAN AUGUST 13, 2007

INFORMATIONAL ORDER TO MOVING

COUNSEL 

Defendant and Counter-claimant Philip Morris USA, Inc. is

proceeding with a civil action in this Court. The matter has been

referred to the Magistrate Judge pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)

and Local Rules 72-302(c)(19) and 72-303. Counter-claimant has

filed a motion for default judgment on the counterclaim.

An application for a default judgment qualifies as a motion

pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 7(b)(1) and Local Rule 1-101(19), and

it should include briefs pursuant to Local Rule 78-230(b). Thus,

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when seeking a default judgment, a plaintiff should provide the

Court with briefing containing citations to pertinent authority

showing that the Plaintiff is entitled to the relief requested

against the defaulting party. In the absence of such authority,

the Court may vacate the hearing on the motion pending

appropriate briefing, or the Court may be unable to recommend the

granting of the requested relief.

Generally, the scope of proceedings on an application for

default judgment involves a determination of damages, which

Plaintiff must prove by evidence, whether by affidavits where an

evidentiary hearing is waived, Davis v. Fendler, 650 F.2d 1154,

1161-62 (9 Cr. 1981), or by evidence, Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(b)(2). th

Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(b)(2) provides in pertinent part:

If, in order to enable the court to enter judgment or to 

 carry it into effect, it is necessary to take

an account or to determine the amount of damages or

to establish the truth of any averment by evidence or

to make an investigation of any other matter, the court

may conduct such hearing or order such references as it 

deems necessary and proper and shall accord a right of 

trial by jury to the parties when and as required by

any statute of the United States.

The Court thus anticipates that a party seeking a default 

judgment will provide the Court with evidence sufficient to prove

the amount of any damages sought. The party should also provide

the Court with legal authority in support of the measure of

damages sought to be applied by the party. 

Here, the moving party has not provided the Court with legal

authority concerning the measure of damages sought by the moving

party. Further, although the moving party urges the Court to

shift the burden of proof, it does not appear that the party has

provided the Court with analogous case authority from California,

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or any other jurisdiction, concerning the application of this

principle in the context of an application for a default

judgment.

Accordingly, it IS ORDERED that Defendant and Counterclaimant MAY FILE supplemental briefing no later than August 13,

2007, addressing the measure of damages and providing pertinent

authority, including analogous case authority, concerning

shifting the burden of proof in the context of an application for

default judgment.

Further, in view of the form of the courtesy copy of the

pertinent moving papers submitted to the Court, counsel for

Defendant and Counterclaimant IS INFORMED that when a courtesy

copy is delivered to the Court, it should be appropriately

fastened and tabbed, and it should be clearly labeled “Courtesy

Copy.”

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: July 27, 2007 /s/ Sandra M. Snyder 

icido3 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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