Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_07-cv-05944/USCOURTS-cand-3_07-cv-05944-202/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 410
Nature of Suit: Antitrust
Cause of Action: 15:1 Antitrust Litigation

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

IN RE: CATHODE RAY TUBE (CRT)

ANTITRUST LITIGATION

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MDL No. 1917

Case No. C-07-5944-SC

ORDER APPOINTING SPECIAL

This Order Relates To: MASTER FOR DISCOVERY

ALL CASES

The Court has suggested the appointment of the Honorable 

Vaughn Walker (Ret.) as discovery master for this case per Federal 

Rule of Civil Procedure 53(a) and (b). The Court asked the parties 

to submit objections to or statements in support of this 

appointment. All parties consent. ECF Nos. 2204, 2205. The Court 

finds that consideration of fairness, the prevention of undue delay 

and the amount of judicial resources expended adjudicating 

discovery disputes in this case constitute "exceptional 

circumstances" which require the appointment of a special master to 

oversee discovery. See Harmston v. City & Cnty. of S.F., No. 07-

01186 SI, 2007 WL 3306526, *9 (N.D. Cal. Nov. 6, 2007); Nat'l Ass'n 

of Radiation Survivors v. Turnage, 115 F.R.D. 543, 560 (N.D.Cal.

1987). 

Case 3:07-cv-05944-JST Document 2272 Filed 12/17/13 Page 1 of 6
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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that, pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil 

Procedure 53, Hon. Vaughn Walker (Ret.) is appointed as Special 

Master to supervise and preside over all discovery in this case. 

The Special Master has filed a declaration under 28 U.S.C. § 455 

stating that there is no ground for disqualification.

1. Scope of Duties: The Special Master shall adjudicate all 

pretrial discovery disputes in this case, including 

disputes arising during the course of depositions. This

Order shall apply to all cases currently pending in MDL No. 

1917 and to all related actions that have been or will be 

originally filed in, transferred to, or removed to this 

Court and assigned thereto (collectively, "the MDL 

proceedings"). This Order is binding on all parties and 

their counsel in all cases currently pending or 

subsequently made part of these proceedings and shall

govern each case in the proceedings unless it explicitly 

states that it relates to specific cases.

2. Scope of Authority: The Special Master shall have all the 

authority provided in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure

53(c), including, but not limited to, the authority to set 

the date, time, and place for all hearings determined by 

the Special Master to be necessary; to direct the issuance 

of subpoenas; to make rulings on objections or otherwise 

resolve disputes arising during the course of depositions; 

to preside over hearings (whether telephonic or in-person); 

to take evidence in connection with discovery disputes; to 

award fee allocations and non-contempt sanctions provided 

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

by Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 37 and 45; and to 

recommend contempt sanctions. Any motion pursuant to 

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 37 or Civil Local Rule 37-1 

for sanctions for violations of the Special Master's orders 

shall be decided by the Special Master.

3. Procedures for Briefing Submitted to Special Master: The 

Special Master may resolve disputes presented orally, in

person or by telephone, in a letter brief, or in formal

motions. In the case of discovery disputes that are to be

resolved by letter brief or written motions, all papers 

will be submitted directly to the Special Master by email 

with a courtesy copy by United States Mail or overnight 

courier, as directed by the Special Master. Briefing 

schedules will be determined by the Special Master.

4. Meet and Confer Required: In the event of a discovery 

dispute, the parties shall first meet and confer in good 

faith to attempt to resolve the dispute. In the event the 

parties are not able to reach an agreement, the dispute 

will be resolved by the Special Master. The Special Master 

shall devise procedures for the parties to follow in

seeking his intervention.

5. Preservation of Record: Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil 

Procedure 53(b)(2)(c), the Special Master shall maintain 

files consisting of all documents submitted by the parties 

and any written orders, findings, and/or recommendations. 

Any order issued by the Special Master shall be emailed to 

the parties. Such emailing shall fulfill the Special 

Master's duty to serve the order on the parties. In 

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

addition, any order issued by the Special Master shall be 

filed with the Court via Electronic Case Filing (ECF) in a 

notice of ruling by the moving party. Any records of the 

Special Master's activities other than written orders, 

findings, and/or recommendations shall be filed in 

accordance with paragraph 6(a) of this Order.

6. Action on Special Master's Orders, Reports, or 

Recommendations:

a. Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 

53(b)(2)(D), the procedure described in paragraphs 

6(b) and 6(c) herein shall govern any action on the 

Special Master's orders, reports and/or 

recommendations.

b. Time Limits for Review. Any party wishing to file 

objections to the Special Master's orders, reports 

and/or recommendations must file such objection with 

the Court within fourteen (14) days from the day the 

Special Master's order, report and/or recommendation 

is filed. Review of the Special Master's orders will 

be subject to the same procedures as review of orders 

of a Magistrate Judge, except as otherwise provided 

herein. See Civ. L.R. 72-2.

c. Filing the Record for Review. The party filing the 

objection shall submit with such objection any record 

necessary for the Court to review the Special Master's 

order, report, and/or recommendation, including any 

transcripts of proceedings before the Special Master 

and any documents submitted by the parties in 

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

connection with the Special Master's order, report, 

and/or recommendation. Failure to provide the record 

shall constitute grounds for the Court to overrule the 

objection or deny the motion.

7. Ex Parte Communications. To facilitate the fulfillment of 

his duties under this Order, the Special Master may 

communicate ex parte to the Court to the extent that he

deems necessary and appropriate. In addition, the Special 

Master may have ex parte communications with a party, but 

such communications shall be limited to administrative 

matters such as scheduling hearings, telephone calls or 

briefing, if such arrangements cannot be made in a timely 

manner by contacting the Special Master's administrative 

assistant.

8. Compensation: The Special Master’s hourly fee shall be 

$800.00. The Special Master shall, in his discretion, 

allocate and assess the payment of his fees among the 

parties, including allocation of all of his fees to one 

party should he determine that the party has acted in bad 

faith. The parties shall pay the Special Master's fees 

within ten (10) calendar days of assessment, unless 

otherwise excused by the Special Master or the Court.

9. Diligence: Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 

53(b)(2), the Court hereby directs the Special Master to 

proceed with all reasonable diligence in performing these 

duties.

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

At their earliest discretion, all parties with pending discovery 

disputes shall contact the Special Master to discuss the execution 

of his duties in connection with this order. 

For scheduling purposes, the parties are to call (605) 475-4350, 

using code 215 2442 #.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: December 17, 2013

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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