Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_03-cv-02343/USCOURTS-caed-2_03-cv-02343-18/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JAMES L. BROOKS,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-03-2343 RRB EFB P

vs.

EDWARD S. ALAMEIDA, et al.,

Defendants. ORDER

 /

Plaintiff is a prisoner without counsel seeking relief for civil rights violations. See 42

U.S.C. § 1983. By order filed August 17, 2007, the court directed defendants to file either a

proof of service reflecting proper service of the suggestion of death on the representative of

defendant Watson’s estate or, if counsel is unable to effect such service, a declaration concerning

the efforts made to comply with the order. On October 16, 2007, counsel for defendants

Alameida, Hubbard, Roche, and Runnels filed a declaration stating that, he obtained the name of

Watson’s widow and an address and phone number for her in New Zealand. One of counsel’s

staff members telephoned Watson’s widow in New Zealand. The person reached answered to

the name “Mrs. Watson,” and said she was Dr. Watson’s representative, but refused to confirm

her address or her first name. 

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Case 2:03-cv-02343-JAM-EFB Document 104 Filed 01/11/08 Page 1 of 2
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Defense counsel asserts that, because New Zealand is not a party to the Hague Service

Convention, under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(f)(2), there is no internationally agreedupon means of service and that service may be effected as prescribed by the law by New Zealand

for service in that country, or as directed by the foreign authority in response to letters rogatory

or letter requesting judicial assistance. In addition, service may be effected by personal service,

or by any form of mail requiring a signed receipt, to be addressed and dispatched by the clerk of

the court to the party to be served, or by other means not prohibited by international agreement

as may be directed by the court. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(f)(2)(C). Counsel further stated that

according to the U.S. State Department, service by letters rogatory can take up to a year to

process. Defendants have shown that the fastest, easiest, and least expensive method of service

is by mail with return receipt requested. That method of service, however, can only be effected

by the court, not defense counsel. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(f)(2)(C)(ii). 

The court will therefore direct the Clerk of the Court to mail a copy of the service

documents to Dr. Watson’s widow by certified mail.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that defense counsel shall, within 10 days of

the date this order is served, submit to the court by informal letter the contact information for Dr.

Watson’s widow. 

Dated: January 11, 2008.

Case 2:03-cv-02343-JAM-EFB Document 104 Filed 01/11/08 Page 2 of 2