Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_07-cv-02376/USCOURTS-casd-3_07-cv-02376-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 895
Nature of Suit: Freedom of Information Act of 1974
Cause of Action: 05:552 Freedom of Information Act

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07cv2376

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

KARAL HASANI EFIA BATTLE-EL,

Plaintiff,

v.

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS

AFFAIRS,

Defendant.

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Civil No. 07cv2376-L(JMA)

ORDER DENYING REQUEST FOR

ENTRY OF DEFAULT WITHOUT

PREJUDICE [doc. #6]

Plaintiff, appearing without counsel, submitted a civil complaint against the Department

of Veterans Affairs and filed an application to proceed in forma pauperis (“IFP”) under 28

U.S.C. § 1915 that the Court granted on December 21, 2007. [doc. #3]. By that Order, plaintiff

was sent an “IFP Packet.” The IFP Packet contains a conformed copy of the complaint and a

copy of the Order granting the petition to proceed in forma pauperis. Also included in the IFP

Packet are copies of the complaint, summons, and U.S. Marshal service forms. A letter from the

Clerk of the Court accompanies these documents. The letter states in relevant part: 

It is your responsibility to complete the Marshal 285 forms and mail them together

with the complaint and summons to the U.S. Marshal’s office at the address given

below.

You must provide the U.S. Marshal with a complaint, summons, and Marshal

service form for each defendant to be served.

(Attachment to summons [doc. #4](emphasis added)).

Plaintiff filed a request for entry of default against defendant Department of Veterans

Case 3:07-cv-02376-L-JMA Document 8 Filed 03/24/08 Page 1 of 2
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Affairs. Plaintiff states in his proof of service/declaration of service that defendant Department

of Veterans Affairs was served on January 9, 2008, and because it has not responded to the

complaint within 60 days, he is entitled to default for defendant’s failure to plead or otherwise

defend. 

Plaintiff’s request will be denied without prejudice. Service upon a governmental agency,

such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, requires service on the agency and also requires

service of a copy of the summons and the complaint on the United States attorney for the district

where the action is brought, and on the Attorney General of the United States at Washington,

D.C. See FED. R. CIV. P. 4(i)(1)(A)(i) and (ii), 4(i)(1)(B), and 4(i)(2).

Because plaintiff has not demonstrated that service of process has been effectuated by the

filing of a return of service on, the United States Attorneys’ Office for the Southern District of

California, and the Attorney General of the United States in addition to the Department of

Veterans Affairs, plaintiff is not entitled to entry of default. 

Accordingly, plaintiff’s request for entry of default is DENIED without prejudice.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: March 24, 2008

M. James Lorenz

United States District Court Judge

COPY TO: 

HON. JAN M. ADLER

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

ALL PARTIES/COUNSEL

Case 3:07-cv-02376-L-JMA Document 8 Filed 03/24/08 Page 2 of 2