Legal Question in Civil Litigation in California

In an Unlimited Civil case, Defendant has a Demurrer (to my Original Complaint) on calender, and I know that if I file a First Amended Complaint, it moots the Demurrer (as long as there's no answer on file) and the court takes the Demurrer hearing off calendar.

My question is: What's the latest I can file my First Amended Complaint (before the hearing)? Can I file my First Amended Complaint on the day of the hearing just 2 hours before (at 8:00 AM, when the court opens), cause the hearing is scheduled to take place at the 10:00 AM calender on that day?

and, Even though the court gives a Tentative Ruling the day before. The only rule that I see that they have about Tentatives, is that a Continuance is not allowed once the Tentative is posted, but Im not sure if once the Tentative is posted on their website, if I can file a First Amended Complaint the next day, just 2 hours before the hearing.


Asked on 2/13/13, 8:47 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Games like that are highly likely to get you sanctioned in the form of an order that you pay the other side's fees and expenses for attending the hearing when you had plenty of time to file and serve the amended pleading before they incurred those expenses. Furthermore, in most courts if you don't get the tentative and then notify the court that you intend to appear, it becomes the order of the court. If the tentative is to sustain the demurrer without leave to amend, you will have lost the right to amend and filing an amended complaint after that would be contempt of court. I have never met a judge who will put up with those kinds of games, and even if you get away with it you will have made an enemy of the court.

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Answered on 2/13/13, 9:17 pm
Anthony Roach Law Office of Anthony A. Roach

I agree with Mr. McCormick.

While the rules state you can file an amended complaint at any time prior to the hearing on the demurrer, you need to understand that the judge and his staff spend time preparing for the hearing, as does your opponent. A great way to distance the court from your position is to waste their time with what would appear to be game playing.

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Answered on 2/14/13, 8:37 am


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