Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_19-cv-00686/USCOURTS-cand-3_19-cv-00686-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 28:1331 Fed. Question

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

LI MINFANG,

Plaintiff,

v.

TENCENT HOLDING, LTD., et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 19-cv-00686-WHO 

ORDER DISMISSING CASE 

WITHOUT PREJUDICE

Plaintiff Li Minfang, who is not represented by counsel, filed this action on February 7, 

2019. At the first Case Management Conference on May 7, 2019, I advised her that she had not 

served the defendants properly and that while 90 days had passed since she had filed the case, I 

recognized that she was not represented and that it is difficult to accomplish service in a foreign 

country. I told her about our Legal Help Desk, which she said she had utilized, and that I would 

set a new Case Management Conference on August 20, 2019. I directed her to perfect service by 

that date. Prior to the second Case Management Conference, which Ms. Li attended with an 

interpreter, Ms. Li filed a statement describing her efforts to serve defendants and a motion for 

entry of default that the Clerk’s Office had denied for insufficient service. Although service had 

not been accomplished by August 20, 2019, given her efforts I gave her a final chance to serve the 

defendants prior to November 19, 2019. I set a third Case Management Conference on November 

26, 2019. I learned in November that Ms. Li had moved to China and continued the Case 

Management Conference to February 25, 2020.

Service has not yet occurred. At today’s Case Management Conference, as in the past, 

through her interpreter Ms. Li insisted that the service that has been found insufficient was in fact 

proper. She does not appear to listen to what I have to say, and I do not see how she could litigate 

Case 3:19-cv-00686-WHO Document 22 Filed 02/25/20 Page 1 of 2
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

this case from China even if service was proper. But for the fundamental reason that she has not 

perfected service of the defendants after more than a year, I DISMISS this case. Dismissal is 

without prejudice, which means that Ms. Li can file a new complaint. Such a filing will be futile 

unless she effects proper service. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 25, 2020

William H. Orrick

United States District Judge

Case 3:19-cv-00686-WHO Document 22 Filed 02/25/20 Page 2 of 2