Opinion ID: 774368
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Feltner's Appeal from District Court's Order Certifying the Judgment for Registration

Text: 49 Finally, in a third appeal, Feltner argues that the district court erred by granting Columbia's motion to certify its judgment against Feltner for registration in other districts. We review the district court's decision to certify the judgment for registration based on a finding of good cause for an abuse of discretion. See Chicago Downs Ass'n, Inc. v. Chase, 944 F.2d 366, 372 (7th Cir. 1991). 50 Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 62(a), a judgment of a United States District Court becomes final and enforceable ten days after judgment is entered. Fed. R. Civ. P. 62(a). At that time, a prevailing plaintiff is entitled to execute upon a judgment. 6 Pending appeal, however, the judgment is only enforceable in the district in which it was rendered, unless the judgment is registered in another district by court order. 28 U.S.C. §§ 1963 (2001). The registration process is set forth in 28 U.S.C. §§ 1963, which provides in relevant part: 51 A judgment in an action for the recovery of money or property entered in any [ ] district court . . . may be registered by filing a certified copy of the judgment in any other district [ ], . . . when the judgment has become final by appeal or expiration of the time for appeal or when ordered by the court that entered the judgment for good cause shown . . . . A judgment so registered shall have the same effect as a judgment of the district court of the district where registered and may be enforced in like manner. Id. 52 (emphasis added).Section 1963 thus permits a district court to issue an order certifying a judgment for registration during the pendency of an appeal upon a finding ofgood cause. Id. 53 Although there is no Ninth Circuit law defining good cause, the courts that have found good cause have generally based their decisions on an absence of assets in the judgment forum, coupled with the presence of substantial assets in the registration forum. Dyll v. Adams, 1998 WL 60541 at  (N.D. Tex. 1998); Johns v. Rozet, 143 F.R.D. 11, (D.D.C. 1992); Chicago Downs, 944 F.2d at 372; Graco Children's Prods., Inc. v. Century Prods. Co., 1996 WL 421966, at  (E.D. Pa. 1996); Bingham v. Zolt, 823 F. Supp. 1126, 1136 (S.D.N.Y. 1993), aff'd, 66 F.3d 553 (2d Cir. 1995). Here, the district court's order granting Columbia's motion simply states that good cause has been shown. Although a more detailed explanation of the district court's reasoning is generally desirable, in the instant action, there is ample evidence to support the district court's finding. Feltner does not dispute that he lacks assets in California. He also does not dispute that he owns substantial property in Florida. This evidence is sufficient to support a finding of good cause. Johns, 143 F.R.D. at 12-13; Associated Business Tel. Sys. Corp. v. Greater Capital Corp., 128 F.R.D. 63, 68 (D.N.J. 1989). We therefore find that the district court did not abuse its discretion in granting Columbia's motion to certify the judgment for registration.