Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_19-cv-00529/USCOURTS-caed-1_19-cv-00529-5/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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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ETUATE SEKONA,

Plaintiff,

v.

M. FRANCIS, Registered Nurse at Kern 

Valley State Prison,

Defendant.

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Case No. 1:19-cv-00529-DAD-HBK

ORDER REFERRING CASE TO ADR AND 

STAY OF CASE FOR 45 DAYS

ORDER DIRECTING CLERK TO CORRECT 

CAPTION

Plaintiff Etuate Sekona, a state prisoner proceeding pro se, initiated this action by filing a 

civil rights complaint under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 on April 24, 2019. (Doc. No. 1). Defendants filed 

an answer on January 14, 2020. (Doc. No. 18). Defendant Negre filed a merits-based motion for 

summary judgment. (Doc. No. 33). On September 2, 2021, the undersigned issued findings and 

recommendations to grant the motion for summary judgment. (Doc. No. 37). On November 16, 

2021, the District Judge assigned to this case adopted the findings and recommendations, granting 

Defendant Negre’s motion for summary judgment and referring the case back to the undersigned 

1 On November 16, 2021 the court granted Defendant Negre’s motion for summary judgment and 

judgment in favor of Defendant Negre was entered that same day. See Doc. Nos. 41, 42. Consequently,

this case remains pending only against Defendant Francis. The Clerk will be directed to correct the 

caption to reflect Defendant Francis as the sole defendant.

Case 1:19-cv-00529-KES-HBK Document 43 Filed 12/27/21 Page 1 of 3
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for further proceedings. (Doc. No. 41). 

The Court refers all civil rights cases filed by pro se individuals to Alternative Dispute 

Resolution (ADR) to attempt to resolve such cases more expeditiously and less expensively. See 

also Local Rule 270. No claims, defenses, or objections are waived by the parties’ participation. 

Attempting to resolve this matter through settlement now would save the parties the time 

and expense of preparing for trial. The Court therefore will STAY this action for 45 days to 

allow the parties to meet and confer and participate in a settlement conference. The Court 

presumes that all civil rights cases assigned to the undersigned will proceed to a settlement 

conference. If, however, after meeting and conferring, either party finds that a settlement 

conference would be a waste of resources, the party may opt out of the settlement conference. If 

either party opts out or the settlement is unsuccessful, the Court will set the case for trial.

Accordingly, it is ORDERED:

1. This action will be STAYED for 45 days to allow the parties an opportunity to 

settle their dispute. No pleadings or motions may be filed in this case during the stay.

2. Within 45 days from the date of this Order, the parties shall file a notice if they 

object to proceeding to a settlement conference or if they believe that settlement is not currently 

achievable. If either party objects to a settlement conference, the Court will set the case for 

trial.

4. If the parties consent to a settlement conference or fail to file objections by the 

expiration period, the Court by separate Order will assign this matter to a United States 

Magistrate Judge, other than the undersigned, for conducting the settlement conference. 

5. If the parties reach a settlement prior to the settlement conference, they SHALL

file a Notice of Settlement as required by Local Rule 160 

6. The parties are obligated to keep the Court informed of their current addresses 

during the stay and the pendency of this action. Changes of address must be reported promptly in

a Notice of Change of Address. See Local Rule 182(f). 

7. The Clerk of Court shall correct the docket to reflect M. Francis as the sole 

remaining defendant.

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Dated: December 27, 2021 

HELENA M. BARCH-KUCHTA

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:19-cv-00529-KES-HBK Document 43 Filed 12/27/21 Page 3 of 3