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California Arbitration / Mediation Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Contracts, Arbitration / Mediation Law and Small Claims for California on
Q: am thinking of suing a section 8 employee in small claims court what are some basic questions to ask before starting.

This issue has dragged out for about 10 years and I have a lot of details and specifics. I personally believe that my case has merit, I am asking about the procedure to actually file a small claims case with a section 8 employee as defendant. Is there anything special to take into consideration

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 28, 2024

Before proceeding with a lawsuit against a Section 8 employee in California small claims court, you should first consider whether the individual's actions fall within the scope of their employment duties or if they are personal in nature. If the issue relates to their professional conduct or... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Arbitration / Mediation Law and Legal Malpractice for California on
Q: If Judgment was entered and you file a Renewed Motion to Vacate, do you also have to file a Motion to Set Aside Judgment

In a Legal Malpractice case that went to Arbitration and then had the Award Confirmed in the trial courts, if you are then able to file a Renewal Motion on Motion to Vacate Arbitration Award for fraud, is it also necessary to file any other type of motion to set aside the Order already in place?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 21, 2024

Yes, if a judgment has already been entered based on an arbitration award, then in addition to filing a renewed motion to vacate the arbitration award, you would also need to file a motion to set aside the judgment that was entered.

The reasoning is that even if you are successful in...
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1 Answer | Asked in Arbitration / Mediation Law and Legal Malpractice for California on
Q: If writing a renewal Motion to Vacate Arbitration and new evidence is required does that mean I can do more discovery?

If a Judgement to Confirm an Arbitration Award is entered and you acquired new information worthy of a renewal Motion to Vacate Arbitration Award can you perform further discovery to support the Motion? Considering new evidence is required as a condition of filing the renewal? Thank you for your... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 20, 2024

In California, if you are considering filing a renewal motion to vacate an arbitration award based on new evidence, the rules governing arbitration and court procedures provide some guidance. Generally, discovery in the context of arbitration is more limited than in traditional court litigation.... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Arbitration / Mediation Law and Legal Malpractice for California on
Q: Why would an Attorney in a legal malpractice file mediation docs from underlying case with Arbitration Exhibits?

What reason would an Attorney who is named a Defendant in a legal malpractice case expose the files from the Mediation by including them with the Arbitration exhibits - while simultaneously serving Plaintiff with a Motion in Liminie barring all mention or reference to the mediation discussions,... View More

Joel Gary Selik
Joel Gary Selik
answered on Feb 20, 2024

What is used in mediation does not necessarily have to be admissible at trial. One can use whatever one thinks may be important to consider at mediation. To the extent the relevance of those documents to mediation goes against your case, you can point that out in mediation.

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3 Answers | Asked in Arbitration / Mediation Law and Legal Malpractice for California on
Q: Why would an Attorney in a legal malpractice file mediation docs from underlying case with Arbitration Exhibits?

What reason would an Attorney who is named a Defendant in a legal malpractice case expose the files from the Mediation by including them with the Arbitration exhibits - while simultaneously serving Plaintiff with a Motion in Liminie barring all mention or reference to the mediation discussions,... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 20, 2024

Items utilized during mediation aren't always required to meet the standards of evidence permissible in court. You're free to introduce any material you believe could be significant for the mediation process. If the pertinence of these documents to the mediation undermines your argument,... View More

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Q: Do I have to sign an arbitration agreement as a condition of continued employment if I don’t understand the terms? CA
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Feb 14, 2024

A California employment should answer your question, but it remains open for two weeks. Until then, arbitration clauses are commonly used. They can be a take-it-or-leave issue - it may not be relevant that the prospective employee does not fully understand the terms. I have seen this on injury... View More

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Q: Do I have to sign an arbitration agreement as a condition of continued employment if I don’t understand the terms? CA
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 22, 2024

In California, employers can require employees to sign arbitration agreements as a condition of employment or continued employment. However, the law also mandates that such agreements must be fair, understandable, and not overly burdensome or one-sided against the employee. If you do not understand... View More

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Q: Do I have to sign an arbitration agreement as a condition of continued employment if I don’t understand the terms? CA
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Feb 14, 2024

Addendum - I'm sorry - in my response a minute ago, I meant "a California employment attorney should answer.... " I left out the word "attorney." Good luck

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4 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law and Arbitration / Mediation Law for California on
Q: I NEED HELP WITH THIS

what are my legal obligations regarding insurance coverage, and what are the consequences if I fail to meet these requirements?

To what extent can the lienholder dictate the specific terms or cost of my insurance coverage? Are there any legal limits to this?

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Feb 6, 2024

Unclear what "legal obligations" to which you refer. By statute, you are required to have automobile insurance. Any other insurance requirements would likely be something to which you agreed by contract. Generally, you have an obligation to comply with your contractual promises,... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law and Arbitration / Mediation Law for California on
Q: I NEED HELP WITH THIS

what are my legal obligations regarding insurance coverage, and what are the consequences if I fail to meet these requirements?

To what extent can the lienholder dictate the specific terms or cost of my insurance coverage? Are there any legal limits to this?

Leon Bayer
Leon Bayer
answered on Feb 7, 2024

I am assuming that your car loan requires collision coverage and that you don't have any.

If so, the contract will allow the lender to buy such coverage for your vehicle and charge you for the cost. Such policies, called "force-placed" in the industry, are very expensive,...
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4 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law and Arbitration / Mediation Law for California on
Q: I NEED HELP WITH THIS

what are my legal obligations regarding insurance coverage, and what are the consequences if I fail to meet these requirements?

To what extent can the lienholder dictate the specific terms or cost of my insurance coverage? Are there any legal limits to this?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 22, 2024

Under California law, you are required to maintain a minimum level of auto insurance if you own and operate a vehicle. This includes liability insurance coverage for bodily injury and property damage that you may cause to others in an accident. Failure to carry the required insurance can result in... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Arbitration / Mediation Law and Probate for California on
Q: My parents passed over 10 years ago and my sister let the Family Trust go to the state. How do I get this back.

The amount resting with the State of Ca is about $12-15K. It is a combination of Family Trust, Life insurance and stock dividends. How do I make my sister - the executor-deal with this. I have tried and tried to get her to do something, offered to help etc but she kept saying she "would get to... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 27, 2024

Under California law, if assets from a Family Trust have escheated to the state, you can reclaim them through the State Controller's Office. This process involves filing a claim form, which requires proof of your entitlement to these assets. The form and guidance can be found on the California... View More

Q: Is it normal for a multi million $ company to ask to pay me in 2 payments 12 months apart & ask we drop lawsuit asap?

I was wrongfully terminated from my employment and offered a lot of money which I turned down. I hired an attorney and we filed a lawsuit. The company requested we go to mediation so we did. After a lot of going back-and-forth all day with a mediator, we finally decided on a number however, they... View More

David H. Relkin
David H. Relkin
answered on Jan 26, 2024

If you have stated the facts correctly, I would have a problem with the payout. According to your statement of the case, you have to "drop" the lawsuit after the first payment but "they are not ok with you going through the courts to enforce the payment" --[presumably] the... View More

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Q: Is it normal for a multi million $ company to ask to pay me in 2 payments 12 months apart & ask we drop lawsuit asap?

I was wrongfully terminated from my employment and offered a lot of money which I turned down. I hired an attorney and we filed a lawsuit. The company requested we go to mediation so we did. After a lot of going back-and-forth all day with a mediator, we finally decided on a number however, they... View More

Neil Pedersen
Neil Pedersen
answered on Jan 26, 2024

Whether something in your settlement is normal is a difficult question because very few things could be comfortably characterized as normal. There are dozens of ways that most settlement agreements can be structured. Does it happen that parties agree to allowed payments over time? Yes, of... View More

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Q: Is it normal for a multi million $ company to ask to pay me in 2 payments 12 months apart & ask we drop lawsuit asap?

I was wrongfully terminated from my employment and offered a lot of money which I turned down. I hired an attorney and we filed a lawsuit. The company requested we go to mediation so we did. After a lot of going back-and-forth all day with a mediator, we finally decided on a number however, they... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 26, 2024

In California, it's not unusual for settlements in employment litigation to involve structured payments, such as the company proposing to pay you in two installments 12 months apart. This arrangement can be for various reasons, including financial planning or tax considerations for the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Arbitration / Mediation Law for California on
Q: In filing renewal motion for motion to vacate arb award, if 1st motion was to set hearing can you ask summary judgment?

When filing a renewal motion for motion to vacate arbitration award that calls for you to ask for the same thing you did the first time, can you ask for a summary judgment instead of requesting to set a hearing, if the time for the court to set a hearing has expired?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 8, 2024

When you're considering filing a renewal motion for a motion to vacate an arbitration award, it's important to understand the procedural nuances involved. Typically, a renewal motion requires you to ask for the same relief as you did in your initial motion. However, the possibility of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Arbitration / Mediation Law for California on
Q: What words to use to write an objection to an interrogatory question;

Generally speaking ... the CCP 2030.210 does not inform the type of objection that can be used? The interrogatories I submitted came back requesting an amendment for the objections the preparer stating no objections are permitted in interrogatories.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 7, 2024

Under California law, objections to interrogatories can be based on various grounds, such as relevance, privilege, or being overly burdensome. When crafting your objections, it's important to be specific and clear about the reason for each objection.

For instance, if a question is not...
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4 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Arbitration / Mediation Law for California on
Q: How do I provide ex's lawyer legal grounds for issues - negotiating a divorce settlement - Im not a lawyer

Divorce is in California a 50/50 state. The issues are all financial. No kids. I can provide factual grounds but I don't feel like I can interpret the family law codes accurately and Im afraid my ex's attorney will trap me (for lack of a better word) for using an incorrect code. Can I... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 7, 2024

In navigating a divorce settlement in California, it's important to understand that the state generally follows community property principles, which means that assets and debts acquired during the marriage are typically divided equally. However, this does not automatically imply a strict 50/50... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Arbitration / Mediation Law for California on
Q: How do I provide ex's lawyer legal grounds for issues - negotiating a divorce settlement - Im not a lawyer

Divorce is in California a 50/50 state. The issues are all financial. No kids. I can provide factual grounds but I don't feel like I can interpret the family law codes accurately and Im afraid my ex's attorney will trap me (for lack of a better word) for using an incorrect code. Can I... View More

Tobie B. Waxman
Tobie B. Waxman
answered on Jan 8, 2024

You ex has an attorney. So should you. "California is a 50/50 state" is not a correct statement of the law and the fact that California is a community property state won't necessarily explain how the assets and debts should be divided. A factual ground for why something may or may... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Arbitration / Mediation Law for California on
Q: My lawyer for arbitration has not been honest with me.

I need serious help. at this point. my lawyer for medical malpractice arbitration has not been honest with me, he did count on me to know that theirs The arbitration process is designed to be faster than the court system. The average length of a Kaiser Permanente arbitration case was roughly 14... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 5, 2024

I'm sorry to hear about the challenges you've faced with your attorney during this arbitration process. It's important to understand that arbitration, while generally faster than court proceedings, can sometimes be prolonged due to various factors, including attorney availability and... View More

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