8 California Procedure (4th), Attack on Judgment in Trial Court

 

I. INTRODUCTION

  A. Direct Attack.

         1. [§1] Nature and Significance of Concept.

         2. Methods of Direct Attack.

               (a) [§2] In Trial Court.

               (b) [§3] In Reviewing Court.

               (c) [§4] Coram Nobis and Coram Vobis.

         3. [§5] Presumption of Jurisdiction.

  B. Collateral Attack.

         1. [§6] Nature and Significance of Concept.

         2. Illustrations.

               (a) [§7] Subsequent Action.

               (b) [§8] Subsequent Motion.

               (c) [§9] Trial Court's Own Motion.

               (d) [§10] Collateral Attack in Reviewing Court.

         3. Limitation: Presumption of Jurisdiction.

               (a) [§11] In General.

               (b) [§12] Lack of Jurisdiction Shown by Record.

               (c) Exception: Showing by Extrinsic Evidence.

                     (1) [§13] Waiver.

                     (2) [§14] Foreign Judgment.

                     (3) [§15] Judgment Against Dead Person or Dissolved Corporation.

               (d) [§16] Court of Limited or Special Jurisdiction.

         4. [§17] Other Limitations.

 

II. MOTION FOR NEW TRIAL

  A. In General.

         1. [§18] Nature and Object of Motion.

         2. [§19] Statutory Grounds Exclusive.

         3. [§20] Statutory Procedure Mandatory.

         4. [§21] Necessity for Objection.

         5. Proceedings in Which New Trial May Be Had.

               (a) [§22] In General.

               (b) [§23] Decision Without Trial of Facts.

               (c) [§24] Exception: Complete Statutory Plan Excluding Motion.

  B. Grounds.

         1. Irregularity in Proceedings.

               (a) [§25] Nature of Ground.

               (b) [§26] Misconduct of Court, Counsel, or Adverse Party.

               (c) [§27] Irregularities in Formation of Jury.

         2. [§28] Misconduct of Jury.

         3. Accident or Surprise.

               (a) [§29] Nature of Ground.

               (b) [§30] Conditions.

         4. Newly Discovered Evidence.

               (a) [§31] Nature of Ground.

               (b) Conditions.

                     (1) [§32] Newly Discovered.

                     (2) [§33] Material.

                     (3) [§34] Diligence.

         5. Excessive or Inadequate Damages.

               (a) [§35] Former Law.

               (b) [§36] Revised Statute.

               (c) [§37] Appellate Review Contrasted.

         6. Insufficient Evidence.

               (a) [§38] Nature of Ground.

               (b) [§39] Power and Duty To Weigh Evidence.

               (c) [§40] Other Forms of Review Contrasted.

               (d) [§41] Motion After Successive Trials.

         7. Verdict or Decision Against Law.

               (a) [§42] Nature of Ground.

               (b) [§43] Improper Verdict.

               (c) [§44] Defective Statement of Decision or Failure To Resolve Issue.

         8. [§45] Error in Law.

         9. [§46] Other Statutory Grounds.

  C. Procedure.

         1. Necessity of Motion.

               (a) [§47] No New Trial on Court's Own Motion.

               (b) [§48] Distinction: Inherent Power To Vacate Order.

(c) [§48A] (New) Distinction: Motion for Relief Consistent With Motion for New Trial.

         2. Notice of Motion.

               (a) Form.

                     (1) [§49] Statutory Requirements.

                     (2) [§50] Failure To Designate Minutes or Affidavits.

                     (3) [§51] Other Defects.

               (b) [§52] Service on Adverse Party.

               (c) [§53] Filing Fee.

               (d) Time.

                     (1) [§54] In General.

                     (2) [§55] Late Filing Void.

                     (3) Before Entry of Judgment.

                           (aa) [§56] After Decision.

                           (bb) [§57] What Constitutes Decision.

                           (cc) [§58] Premature Notice Ineffective.

                           (dd) [§59] Distinction: Mistrial or Retrial of Issue.

                     (4) Fifteen Days After Notice of Entry of Judgment.

                           (aa) [§60] Notice of Entry by Clerk.

                           (bb) Notice of Entry by Party.

                                 (i) [§61] Nature and Purpose of Notice.

                                 (ii) [§62] Form of Notice.

                                 (iii) [§63] Waiver of Notice.

                           (cc) [§64] Commencement and Running of Period.

                     (5) [§65] Fifteen Days After Other Party's Notice of Motion.

                     (6) [§66] One Hundred Eighty Days After Entry of Judgment.

         3. [§67] Affidavits and Counteraffidavits.

         4. [§68] Points and Authorities.

         5. Hearing and Determination.

               (a) [§69] Notice of Hearing.

               (b) [§70] Determination on Notice Alone.

               (c) [§71] Evidence and Argument.

               (d) [§72] No Oral Testimony.

               (e) Same or Different Judge.

                     (1) [§73] Trial Judge.

                     (2) [§74] New Judge.

               (f) Time for Determination: Sixty Days.

                     (1) [§75] In General.

                     (2) [§76] Commencement of Period.

                     (3) [§77] Extensions.

                     (4) [§78] Time Jurisdictional.

                     (5) [§79] Failure To Meet Deadline.

         6. Order.

               (a) Unconditional Order Granting New Trial.

                     (1) [§80] In General.

                     (2) Specification of Grounds.

                           (aa) [§81] In General.

                           (bb) [§82] Liberal Approach.

                           (cc) [§83] Importance of Statutory Language.

                     (3) Failure To Specify Ground.

                           (aa) [§84] No Nunc Pro Tunc Correction.

                           (bb) [§85] Correction by Stipulation.

                           (cc) [§86] Reliance on Other Grounds.

                     (4) Specification of Reasons.

                           (aa) [§87] Nature and Purpose of Statute.

                           (bb) [§88] Written Specification Required.

                           (cc) [§89] Preparation by Judge.

                           (dd) [§90] Time for Specification.

                           (ee) Insufficiency of Evidence.

                                 (i) [§91] General Principles.

                                 (ii) [§92] Ultimate Facts Theory.

                                 (iii) [§93] Rejection of Ultimate Facts Theory.

                                 (iv) [§94] Proper Specifications.

                                 (v) [§95] Where Judge Disbelieves Witness or Testimony.

                           (ff) Excessive or Inadequate Damages.

                                 (i) [§96] In General.

                                 (ii) [§97] Punitive Damages.

                           (gg) [§98] Other Grounds.

                     (5) Failure To Specify Reasons.

                           (aa) [§99] Substantial Compliance Unacceptable.

                           (bb) [§100] No Nunc Pro Tunc Correction.

                           (cc) [§101] Remedy of Aggrieved Party.

                     (6) Review of Order Lacking Specification.

                           (aa) [§102] Statutory Rules.

                           (bb) [§103] Ground of Evidence or Damages.

                           (cc) [§104] Other Grounds.

                           (dd) [§105] Burden To Supply Adequate Record.

               (b) Modification of Judgment After Court Trial.

                     (1) [§106] Nature of Power.

                     (2) [§107] Scope of Power.

                     (3) [§108] Procedure.

                     (4) Interpretation of Order.

                           (aa) [§109] Granting Treated as Denial.

                           (bb) [§110] Order Directing Reopening of Case.

                           (cc) [§111] Motion To Vacate Distinguished.

                     (5) [§112] Exception: New Judge and Conflicting Evidence.

               (c) Partial New Trial on Particular Issues.

                     (1) [§113] Nature of Power.

                     (2) Issue of Damages in Tort.

                           (aa) [§114] In General.

                           (bb) [§115] Improper Where Compromise Verdict.

                     (3) [§116] Other Issues.

                     (4) Judge's Power To Make Unlimited Order.

                           (aa) [§117] Former View: Moving Party Controls.

                           (bb) [§118] Authority To Disregard Limited Motion.

                     (5) [§119] Interpretation of Order.

               (d) Conditional Order.

                     (1) In General.

                           (aa) [§120] Nature and Forms.

                           (bb) [§121] Operation and Effect.

                           (cc) [§122] Specification Requirement.

                           (dd) [§123] Interpretation of Order.

                           (ee) [§124] Compliance After Expiration of Jurisdictional Time Limit.

                     (2) Remission Where Damages Excessive.

                           (aa) [§125] Nature of Remittitur.

                           (bb) [§126] Improper To Reapportion Liability.

                           (cc) [§127] Form of Order.

                           (dd) [§128] Effect of Failure To Remit.

                     (3) Addition Where Damages Inadequate.

                           (aa) [§129] Former Rule Denying Power.

                           (bb) [§130] Judicial Recognition of Power.

                           (cc) [§131] Statutory Authorization.

                           (dd) [§132] Scope of Additur.

                           (ee) [§133] Procedure.

         7. Effective Date of Order.

               (a) [§134] Minute Entry or Signed Order.

               (b) [§135] Permanent Minutes.

         8. [§136] Effect of Order.

         9. Review of Order.

               (a) [§137] Invalid Order.

               (b) Order Granting New Trial.

                     (1) [§138] Appeal and Cross‑Appeal.

                     (2) Scope of Review.

                           (aa) [§139] In General.

(bb) [§140] Order Based on Insufficient Evidence or Excessive or Inadequate Damages.

                     (3) [§141] Necessity of Error and Prejudice.

                     (4) [§142] Waiver or Estoppel.

                     (5) Discretion of Trial Judge.

                           (aa) [§143] Discretion Upheld.

                           (bb) [§144] Discretion Abused.

               (c) Order Denying New Trial.

                     (1) [§145] Order Not Directly Appealable.

                     (2) [§146] Review on Appeal from Judgment.

 

III. MOTION TO VACATE AND ENTER DIFFERENT JUDGMENT

  A. [§147] Nature and Grounds.

  B. [§148] Motion for New Trial Distinguished.

  C. [§149] Notice of Motion.

  D. [§150] Hearing and Determination.

  E. [§151] Review on Appeal.

 

IV. MOTION FOR RELIEF FROM DEFAULT

  A. In General

         1. [§152] Nature of Relief.

         2. Scope of Statute.

               (a) Actions and Proceedings.

                     (1) [§153] Availability of Relief.

                     (2) [§154] Exceptions.

               (b) Procedural Steps.

                     (1) [§155] In General.

                     (2) [§156] Relief From Discovery Default.

         3. Persons Entitled to Relief.

               (a) [§157] Party or Representative of Party.

               (b) [§158] Relief to Plaintiff.

  B. Grounds for Relief.

         1. [§159] Fraud.

         2. [§160] Mistake of Fact.

         3. Mistake of Law.

               (a) [§161] In General.

               (b) [§162] Cases Upholding Relief.

               (c) [§163] Cases Denying Relief.

         4. Neglect of Party.

               (a) [§164] In General.

               (b) [§165] Disability.

               (c) [§166] Accident or Inadvertence.

         5. Neglect of Attorney.

               (a) Excusable Neglect.

                     (1) [§167] Office Practice or Press of Business.

                     (2) [§168] Reliance on Opposing Counsel.

                     (3) [§169] Reliance on Court Officers.

                     (4) [§170] Reliance on Other Persons.

                     (5) [§171] Illness or Mental Disturbance.

                     (6) [§172] Other Situations.

               (b) Inexcusable Neglect.

                     (1) [§173] Failure To Plead or File Paper.

                     (2) [§174] Failure To Appear.

                     (3) [§175] Attorney Negligence as Excuse for Client.

  C. Procedure.

         1. [§176] Necessity of Motion.

         2. Notice of Motion.

               (a) [§177] Form and Content.

               (b) Jurisdictional Time.

                     (1) [§178] Period: Six Months.

                     (2) [§179] When Time Begins To Run.

                     (3) [§180] Shortening Time in Property Action.

               (c) [§181] Reasonable Time.

         3. Showing in Support of Motion.

               (a) [§182] Proof of Excuse and Diligence.

               (b) [§183] Copy of Proposed Pleading.

               (c) [§184] No Affidavit of Merits Required.

         4. Order.

               (a) [§185] Entry and Effect.

               (b) Conditions.

                     (1) [§186] Nature and Purpose.

                     (2) [§187] Invalid Conditions.

                     (3) [§188] Statement of Reasons.

               (c) [§189] Fees, Costs, and Penalties.

         5. Review of Order.

               (a) [§190] Appeal and Mandamus.

               (b) Order Granting Relief.

                     (1) [§191] Affirmance.

                     (2) [§192] Reversal.

               (c) Order Denying Relief.

                     (1) [§193] Reversal.

                     (2) [§194] Affirmance.

  D. Mandatory Relief on Attorney's Affidavit.

         1. [§195] Development of Requirement.

         2. [§196] Nature and Scope of Relief.

         2A. (New) Where Relief Is Not Available.

               (a) [§196A] (New) Order Granting Summary Judgment.

(b) [§196B] (New) Dismissal Caused by Failure To Comply With Statute of Limitations.

               (c) [§196C] (New) Voluntary Dismissal Resulting From Settlement.

               (d) [§196D] (New) Order Following Evidentiary Hearing.

               (e) [§196E] (New) Judgment Entered on Arbitration Award.

         3. [§197] Time Limit.

         4. [§198] Diligence.

         5. [§199] Conditions Prohibited.

         6. [§200] Mandatory Payment by Attorney.

  E. Relief From Void Judgment.

         1. [§201] In General.

         2. [§202] Judgment Void on Its Face.

         3. Judgment Valid on Its Face.

               (a) [§203] No Jurisdiction of Person.

               (b) [§204] Timeliness of Motion.

         4. [§205] Stipulated Judgment.

  F. Default Judgment on Constructive Service.

         1. Nature of Relief

               (a) [§206] Former Statute.

               (b) [§207] Current Statute.

         2. Defendant's Knowledge Precludes Relief.

               (a) [§208] Statutory Rule.

               (b) [§209] Strict Construction of "Actual Notice."

         3. Procedure.

               (a) [§210] Time Limits on Motion.

               (b) [§211] Notice of Motion.

               (c) [§212] Order.

               (d) [§213] Monetary Sanctions Prohibited.

 

V. EQUITABLE RELIEF AGAINST JUDGMENT

  A. Nature of Remedy.

         1. Relief by Action.

               (a) [§214] In General.

               (b) [§215] Scope of Relief.

               (c) Jurisdiction of Courts.

                     (1) [§216] In General.

                     (2) [§217] Probate Court.

               (d) [§218] Parties Entitled to Relief.

         2. Relief by Motion.

               (a) [§219] Propriety of Remedy.

               (b) [§220] Not Prerequisite to Action.

               (c) [§221] Effect of Denial of Motion.

  B. Grounds for Relief.

         1. [§222] Void Judgment.

         2. Judgment Obtained by Extrinsic Fraud.

               (a) [§223] In General.

               (b) Fraud Preventing Appearance or Contest.

                     (1) [§224] In General.

                     (2) [§225] Probate Proceedings.

                     (3) [§226] Nonfiduciary Cases.

               (c) Fraud Preventing Knowledge of Right.

                     (1) [§227] In General.

                     (2) Husband and Wife Cases.

                           (aa) [§228] General Principles.

                           (bb) [§229] Cases Finding Extrinsic Fraud.

                           (cc) [§230] Cases Finding No Extrinsic Fraud.

         3. Judgment Obtained by Extrinsic Mistake.

               (a) [§231] In General.

               (b) [§232] Incapacity of Attorney or Party.

               (c) [§233] Reliance on Third Person.

               (d) Reliance on Negligent Attorney.

                     (1) [§234] Development of Theory.

                     (2) [§235] Positive Misconduct.

         4. [§236] Judgment Obtained by Duress.

  C. Conditions of Relief.

         1. Meritorious Case.

               (a) [§237] Extrinsic Fraud or Mistake.

               (b) [§238] Void Judgment.

         2. Excuse and Diligence.

               (a) [§239] In General.

               (b) [§240] Diligence Shown.

               (c) [§241] Diligence Not Shown.

  D. No Relief for Intrinsic Fraud.

         1. [§242] Rule Denying Relief.

         2. [§243] Illustrations.