Sokolowski v. Carnival Cruise Lines et al

Filing 9

ORDER Re: Order to Show Cause Denying as Moot 7 Joint Motion for Stay and Administratively Closing the Case: An order to show cause hearing was held on 12/1/2009. This case is TEMPORARILY CLOSED. No later than seven calendar days after the completi on of arbitration, Plaintiff shall file an ex parte application to reopen the case. The application shall include a copy of the arbitrators decision. Plaintiff shall serve Defendant with process within seven calendar days of filing the ex parte application. The Joint Motion to Stay Federal Proceeding, filed November 17, 2009, is DENIED as moot. Signed by Judge M. James Lorenz on 12/1/2009. (mjj) (av1).

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 MARCIN SOKOLOWSKI, 11 12 13 14 15 ) Civil No. 09cv195-L(RBB) ) ) ORDER RE: ORDER TO SHOW Plaintiffs, ) CAUSE DENYING AS MOOT JOINT ) MOTION FOR STAY AND v. ) ADMINISTRATIVELY CLOSING ) THE CASE CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES, ) ) Defendant. ) This case came before the court for a hearing on December 1, 2009 on the court's order to UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

16 show cause why it should not be dismissed for failure to timely serve the summons and the 17 complaint and for failure to prosecute. Stephen J. Estey, Esq. appeared on behalf of Plaintiff. 18 The complaint was filed on February 2, 2009. On May 11, 2009 the court granted the

19 parties' joint motion to stay while they arbitrate the dispute. The case was stayed until August 20 10, 2009. The order further stated that if parties required more time, they had to file, no later 21 than August 3, 2009, a motion requesting an extension of the stay and a progress report about the 22 arbitration. On November 5, 2009 the court issued an order to show cause why the case should 23 not be dismissed because there had been no activity in the case and the complaint had not been 24 served. On November 17, 2009 the parties filed a joint motion to stay the case until June 18, 25 2010, while they arbitrate the case. 26 27 28 Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(m) provides in pertinent part: Time Limit for Service. If a defendant is not served within 120 days after the complaint is filed, the court -- on motion or on its own after notice to the plaintiff -- must dismiss the action without prejudice against that defendant or order that
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service be made within a specified time. But if the plaintiff shows good cause for the failure, the court shall extend the time for service for an appropriate period. Rule 4(m) allows, but does not require, courts to provide additional time for service, "even if good cause is not shown." Notes of the Advisory Committee on 1993 Amendments to rule 4(m). In addition, Rule 41(b) provides in pertinent part: Involuntary Dismissal; Effect. If the plaintiff fails to prosecute or to comply with these rules or a court order, a defendant may move to dismiss the action or any claim against it. District courts have the authority to dismiss sua sponte "cases that have remained dormant because of the inaction or dilatoriness of the parties seeking relief." Link v. Wabash R.R. Co., 370 U.S. 626, 630 (1962); Ash v. Cvetkov, 739 F.2d 493, 496 (9th Cir. 1984). Consistent with this authority, Civil Local Rule 41.1(a) provides: Actions or proceedings which have been pending in this court for more than six months, without any proceeding or discovery having been taken during such period, may, after notice, be dismissed by the court for want of prosecution, at the calling of a calendar prepared for that purpose by the clerk. Such a dismissal shall be without prejudice, unless otherwise ordered. Based on Plaintiff's representations on the record, the failure to comply with the May 11, 2009 order and the subsequent delay incurred in these proceedings were unreasonable. Nevertheless, in the interests of justice, the action is not dismissed at this time. Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED as follows: 1. This case is TEMPORARILY CLOSED. No later than seven calendar days after the completion of arbitration, Plaintiff shall file an ex parte application to reopen the case. The application shall include a copy of the arbitrator's decision. Plaintiff shall serve Defendant with process within seven calendar days of filing the ex parte application. 2. The Joint Motion to Stay Federal Proceeding, filed November 17, 2009, is DENIED as moot. IT IS SO ORDERED. DATED: December 1, 2009 M. James Lorenz United States District Court Judge
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1 COPY TO: 2 HON. RUBEN B. BROOKS UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 3 ALL PARTIES/COUNSEL 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
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