Motion to Strike Verification of Answer
24CV018637: MORLEY vs HARDMAN 06/16/2026 Hearing on Motion to Strike Answer in Department 16D
Tentative Ruling
NOTICE:
Consistent with Local Rule 1.06(B), any party requesting oral argument on any matter on this calendar must comply with the following procedure:
To request limited oral argument, on any matter on this calendar, you must call the Law and Motion Oral Argument Request Line at (916) 874-2615 by 4:00 p.m. the Court day before the hearing and advise opposing counsel. At the time of requesting oral argument, the requesting party shall leave a voice mail message: a) identifying themselves as the party requesting oral argument; b) indicating the specific matter/motion for which they are requesting oral argument; and c) confirming that it has notified the opposing party of its intention to appear and that opposing party may appear via Zoom using the Zoom link and Meeting ID indicated below. If no request for oral argument is made, the tentative ruling becomes the final order of the Court.
Unless ordered to appear in person by the Court, parties may appear remotely either telephonically or by video conference via the Zoom video/audio conference platform with notice to the Court and all other parties in accordance with Code of Civil Procedure §367.75. Although remote participation is not required, the Court will presume all parties are appearing remotely for non-evidentiary civil hearings.
The Department 16D Zoom Link is https://saccourt-ca-gov.zoomgov.com/j/16146506749 and the Zoom Meeting ID is 161 4650 6749. To appear on Zoom telephonically, call (833) 568-8864 and enter the Zoom Meeting ID referenced above. NO COURTCALL APPEARANCES WILL BE ACCEPTED.
Parties requesting services of a court reporter will need to arrange for private court reporter services at their own expense, pursuant to Government code §68086 and California Rules of Court, Rule 2.956. Requirements for requesting a court reporter are listed in the Policy for Official Reporter Pro Tempore available on the Sacramento Superior Court website at https://www.saccourt.ca.gov/court-reporters/docs/crtrp-6a.pdf. Parties may contact Court- Approved Official Reporters Pro Tempore by utilizing the list of Court Approved Official Reporters Pro Tempore available at https://www.saccourt.ca.gov/court-reporters/docs/crtrp- 13.pdf.
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A Stipulation and Appointment of Official Reporter Pro Tempore (CV/E-206) is required to be signed by each party, the private court reporter, and the Judge prior to the hearing, if not using a reporter from the Courts Approved Official Reporter Pro Tempore list.
Once the form is signed it must be filed with the clerk. If a litigant has been granted a fee waiver and requests a court reporter, the party must submit a Request for Court Reporter by a Party with
24CV018637: MORLEY vs HARDMAN 06/16/2026 Hearing on Motion to Strike Answer in Department 16D
a Fee Waiver (CV/E-211) and it must be filed with the clerk at least 10 days prior to the hearing or at the time the proceeding is scheduled if less than 10 days away. Once approved, the clerk will forward the form to the Court Reporters Office and an official reporter will be provided.
TENTATIVE RULING: *** NOTICE: EFFECTIVE APRIL 13, 2026, THIS DEPARTMENT HAS MOVED TO THE TANI G. CANTIL-SAKAUYE COURTHOUSE LOCATED AT 500 G STREET IN SACRAMENTO, CA. ALL MOTIONS NOTICED FOR DEPARTMENT 53 WILL BE HEARD IN DEPARTMENT 16D OF THE NEW COURTHOUSE. ALL PAPERS FOR THIS DEPARTMENT MUST BE FILED AT THIS NEW LOCATION AND WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AT THE HALL OF JUSTICE. ALL HEARINGS WILL TAKE PLACE AT THIS NEW LOCATION. PARTIES MAY CONTINUE TO APPEAR REMOTELY IN DEPARTMENT 16D UNLESS SPECIFICALLY ORDERED OTHERWISE. ***
*** The Court finds in its file no proof of service demonstrating moving plaintiffs service of the Notice of Disclosure issued on 5/11/2026, despite being directed to serve all other parties with the Notice of Disclosure forthwith. Moving plaintiff is directed to serve the Notice of Disclosure on all other parties forthwith and to file proof of service within five (5) court days. ***
Neither the original nor the amended notice of motion provides notice of the Courts tentative ruling system, as required by Local Rule 1.06. Moving counsel is directed to contact opposing counsel and advise him/her of Local Rule 1.06 and the Courts tentative ruling procedure and the manner to request a hearing. If moving counsel is unable to contact opposing counsel prior to the hearing, moving counsel is ordered to appear at the hearing in person, by Zoom or by telephone.
Moving counsel failed to comply with CRC Rule 3.1110(b)(3)-(4).
Plaintiffs Motion to Strike Verification of Answer is ruled upon as follows.
This is an action for breach of contract and common counts based on a loan plaintiff extended to defendant, which the latter failed to repay.
Plaintiff now moves for an order striking the verification of defendants Answer to Complaint on the grounds that said verification is defective and legally insufficient under Code of Civil Procedure section 446.
The Court finds that defendant did not file any opposition or other written objection to the present motion, which is construed as a concession on the merits of this motion to strike. (See,
SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO
24CV018637: MORLEY vs HARDMAN 06/16/2026 Hearing on Motion to Strike Answer in Department 16D
e.g., D.I. Chadbourne, Inc. v. Superior Court (1964) 60 Cal.2d 723, 728, n.4.) Therefore, this motion to strike shall be and hereby is GRANTED as unopposed.
Since this is plaintiffs first challenge to defendants responsive pleading, leave to amend is GRANTED. Defendant may file and serve an amended answer to complaint no later than 6/30/2026. Although not required by Court rule or statute, defendant is directed to present a copy of this order if and when the amended answer is presented for filing.
If plaintiff intends to challenge defendants amended answer by demurrer and/or motion to strike, plaintiff is reminded that he must comply with the express requirements of Code of Civil Procedure §430.41 and §435.5, which specify that the moving party must first meet-and-confer in person, by telephone, or by video conference with the party filing the pleading that is the subject of the demurrer and/or motion to strike. (Emphasis added.) The purpose of in person, telephone or video conference meet-and-confer sessions is to maximize the resolution of disputes by fostering an open dialogue that is not constrained by the mere exchange of letters and/or emails.
Moving party to provide notice of this ruling and file proof of service of same within five (5) court days.
This minute order is effective immediately. No formal order or other notice is required. (Code Civ. Proc. §1019.5; CRC Rule 3.1312.)