Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_05-cv-01359/USCOURTS-caed-1_05-cv-01359-11/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Corinne Cortes
Respondent
Daniel Cortes Gene
Petitioner

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STEPHEN A. KALEMKARIAN, INC., #041979

A Professional Law Corporation

371 E. Bullard Avenue, Suite 115

Fresno, California 93710

Telephone: (559) 435-2525

Attorney for Respondent

CORINNE CORTES

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SITTING AS A TREATY TRIBUNAL UNDER

ARTICLE III SECTION 2 OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION

CONCURRENT JURISDICTION CONFERRED BY 42 U.S.C. 11602 ET SEQ.

* * * * *

DANIEL CORTES GENE, ) Case No. 1:05-cv-01359 SMS

 )

Petitioner, ) STIPULATION AND ORDER

 ) REGARDING APPOINTMENT OF

 vs. ) SPECIAL MASTER

 )

CORINNE CORTES, )

)

Respondent, )

____________________________________)

The Convention on the Civil Aspects

of International Child Abduction,

done at the Hague on 25 Oct. 1980 [The Convention]

--------------------

International Child Abduction Remedies Act

42 U.S.C. 11601 et seq.

Case 1:05-cv-01359-EPG Document 48 Filed 12/22/06 Page 1 of 6
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STIPULATION AND ORDER RE APPOINTMENT, etc.

CORTES GENE & CORTES No. CV F 05 1359 SMS

 

 

Page -2-

PURSUANT TO THE STIPULATION OF THE PARTIES hereinafter set forth, and good

cause appearing therefor,

IT IS ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED THAT;

1. APPOINTMENT, PURPOSE AND DUTIES:

a. Dr. Christine D. Pigeon, Ph.D., is appointed Special Master pursuant to

California Code of Civil Procedure §638, et seq., until her resignation or written agreement

of the parties, or further court order, whichever first occurs.

b. This appointment is based upon the expertise of the Special Master as agreed

upon by the parties.

c. The purpose of the appointment of the Special Master is to provide

assistance to the parties in implementing custody and visitation orders, and dispute

resolution between the parties on custody, visitation, and other issues regarding the minor

children of the parties, as such issues may arise.

d. That, in an emergency, the Special Master may ask the court to initiate an

Order to Show Cause on its own motion.

2. RESOLUTION OF ISSUES BETWEEN THE PARTIES/SPECIAL

MASTER/COURT PROCEEDINGS: As previously ordered by this Court, in that certain

"ORDER AFTER HEARING--JUNE 20, 2006", filed herein on June 21, 2006 (hereinafter,

"Order"):

a. That the parties shall communicate directly with each other regarding

implementation of the parenting plan contained in said Order. If issues arise between the

parties regarding implementation of the parenting plan contained in said Order, the parties

shall make good-faith efforts to resolve such difficulties between them.

b. If the parties cannot, after a good-faith effort, resolve such issues, then the

parties may, at their option submit, in writing, a summary of the issue, together with their

Case 1:05-cv-01359-EPG Document 48 Filed 12/22/06 Page 2 of 6
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STIPULATION AND ORDER RE APPOINTMENT, etc.

CORTES GENE & CORTES No. CV F 05 1359 SMS

 

 

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efforts to resolve the issue, for resolution by a Special Master. The Special Master shall

be Dr. Christine D. Pigeon, Ph.D., who is a mental health professional agreed upon by the

parties, and has been appointed to resolve difficulties of the parties regarding the children,

as issues between the parties arise. 

c. That the Special Master shall forward her written recommendation to the

parties for resolution of the issue between the parties. That each party shall pay one-half

(1⁄2) of the fees for the Special Master, unless otherwise ordered by this Court. That the

Special Master shall submit her recommendation to Magistrate Judge Sandra M. Snyder;

and the Court may sign the recommendation of the Special Master, as an Order of the

Court, at the Court's discretion; and/or the Court may issue an informational order thereon.

d. That if either party is unsatisfied with the recommendation of the Special

Master, and Order thereon, either party has the right to file a notice of motion with this

Court, within fifteen (15) days of the date of mailing of said Order, for resolution by

Magistrate Judge Sandra M. Snyder, together with a request for a re-apportionment of the

fees for the Special Master.

3. QUASI-JUDICIAL IMMUNITY: That the Special Master is a court Officer. The

Special Master has quasi-judicial immunity. The Special Master cannot be sued based on her

actions in this matter.

 4. PROCEDURE:

a. That both parties shall participate in the dispute resolution process as

defined by the Special Master. All parties understand that information obtained by the

Special Master and opinions formed by her are not confidential. The Special Master

may conduct hearings which are informal in nature, by telephone or in person, and need not

comply with the rules of evidence. No record need be made except the Special Master's

written recommendations. The Special Master shall have the authority to determine the

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STIPULATION AND ORDER RE APPOINTMENT, etc.

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protocol of all interviews and sessions including, in the case of meetings with the parties,

the power to determine who may attend such meetings. 

b. The parties shall provide all reasonable records, documentation, and

information requested by the Special Master.

c. The parties shall agree to sign any and all releases for records and

information requested by the Special Master.

d. Recommendations by the Special Master by their very nature are often made

in circumstances involving severe time constraints, and possibly emergencies; therefore,

these recommendations may be made orally, but in a fashion communicated to both parties.

In the event of an emergency regarding the implementation of the parties'

parenting plan, the recommendation of the Special Master shall be binding upon the parties

at the time said recommendation is made. Provided, however, that either party may file

his/her objection with the Court, and request for an ex parte hearing, within two (2)

working days thereafter.

The Special Master shall otherwise follow the procedure set forth in

Paragraph 2. hereinabove, as to submission of her recommendation to this Court, requesting

that the Court sign said recommendation as an Order of this Court. That if either or both

of the parties desire to contest the recommendation of the Special Master, the parties shall

follow the procedure set forth in Paragraph 2. hereinabove to contest said recommendation.

///

///

5. COMMUNICATION WITH SPECIAL MASTER:

a. That the parties and their attorneys shall have the right to initiate or receive

ex parte communication with the Special Master. Either party may initiate contact in

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STIPULATION AND ORDER RE APPOINTMENT, etc.

CORTES GENE & CORTES No. CV F 05 1359 SMS

 

 

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writing with the Special Master, provided that copies are provided to opposing counsel

simultaneously.

b. That the Special Master may communicate ex parte with the Judge, at the

discretion of the Special Master and the Judge. Such communications shall be made only

after giving notice to both parties; provided, however, that notice may be excused if notice

would frustrate the very purpose of the communication. If the Special Master

communicates with the Judge without having given notice she shall notify the Judge of that

fact and her reason for not giving notice.

6. FEES:

a. That the Special Master fees are as set forth in the Fee Agreement executed

by the parties. 

b. That the Special Master may recommend a reallocation of the Special

Master's fees as set forth in Paragraph 2. hereinabove.

7. GRIEVANCES:

a. That the Special Master may be disqualified on any of the grounds

applicable to the removal of a judge, referee or arbitrator. 

b. Neither party may initiate court proceedings for the removal of the Special

Master or bring to the court's attention any grievances regarding the performance or actions

of the Special Master without conferring with the Special Master in an effort to resolve the

grievance.

c. Neither party shall complain about the Special Master to the Special

Master's licensing board without first conferring with the Special Master in an effort to

resolve the grievance.

d. If either party or the Special Master believes that there exists a grievance

between them with respect to this stipulation that cannot be resolved, either party or the

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STIPULATION AND ORDER RE APPOINTMENT, etc.

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Special Master can move the court for relief, regarding the grievance between them with

respect to this stipulation, after complying with Paragraph 7. hereinabove. 

///

8. RESIGNATION OF SPECIAL MASTER:

a. That the Special Master may resign any time she determines the resignation

to be in the best interest of the children or the Special Master is unable to serve out her

term, upon fifteen (15) days' written notice to the parties. 

b. That the Court may use any of its powers, including the applicable laws of

the United States and the State of California to enforce this order.

Dated: December 11, 2006. Dated: December 13, 2006.

SHAPIRO-THORN, INC. STEPHEN A. KALEMKARIAN, INC.

s/Brent D. Seymour s/Stephen A. Kalemkarian

______________________________________ ___________________________________

BRENT D. SEYMOUR STEPHEN A. KALEMKARIAN

Attorney for Petitioner, Attorney for Respondent,

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: December 22, 2006 /s/ Sandra M. Snyder 

icido3 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:05-cv-01359-EPG Document 48 Filed 12/22/06 Page 6 of 6