Opinion ID: 147650
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Suits by the Water Entities (SEMOU Cases)

Text: While they were negotiating the agreement with the Group of 13, the Water Entities filed four suits in the Central District of California against other PRPs (the SEMOU Cases ). [1] On March 31, 2003, the district court consolidated the four cases. Under the terms of the G13 Agreement, the Water Entities could not sue the Group of 13. However, the PRP defendants in the SEMOU Cases were not so bound. The defendants filed third-party complaints against the Group of 13, as well as against other PRPs not sued by the Water Entities. Their third-party complaints sought contribution from the Group of 13 and the other PRPs. The defendants also filed counterclaims against the Water Entities. The district court appointed a Special Master to facilitate settlement. In October 2004, the district court stayed discovery while the parties focused on settlement discussions.