O'Reilly et al v. The Small Business Administration

Filing 12

ORDER granting 11 Motion to Stay discovery. All discovery in this matter, including the parties' compliance with the court's order for a discovery plan [DE-9], is STAYED until July 13, 2015. Signed by US Magistrate Judge Robert B. Jones, Jr. on 6/17/2015. (Edwards, S.)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA
NORTHERN DIVISION
No. 2:15-CV-7-F
MABEL ANN O'REILLY and
AVON VENTURES, LLC,

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Plaintiffs,

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v.

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ORDER

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THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION,

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Defendant.

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This matter comes before the court on Defendant's motion to stay discovery for 60 days, up
to and including July 13, 2015, so that the parties may continue preliminary settlement negotiations.
[DE-11]. The parties have conducted the Rule 26(f) conference, and the proposed discovery plan
was due May 21, 2015. The motion indicates Plaintiffs oppose the motion, but Plaintiffs' counsel
has notified the clerk's office that they would not file a written response.
Rule 26(c) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure authorizes a court to issue an order
limiting or staying discovery. In certain cases, a stay of discovery may be appropriate to prevent a
waste oftime and resources by the parties and to make efficient use ofjudicial resources. See United

States v. A.T Massey Coal Co., No. 2:07-0299, 2007 WL 3051449, at *2 (S.D. W.Va. Oct. 18,
2007) (unpublished).

Here, Defendant has demonstrated good cause for the request to stay

discovery where Defendant believes settlement is possible and the requested stay is brief and will
not prejudice Plaintiffs. Accordingly, Defendant's motion to stay discovery [DE-ll] is ALLOWED
and all discovery in this matter, including the parties' compliance with the court's order for a

discovery plan [DE-9], is STAYED until July 13,2015.
SO ORDERED, this the

11

day of June 2015.

Robert B. Jon , Jr.
United States Magistrate Judge

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