California Supreme Court Watch

#23-171 North American Title Co., Inc. v. Superior Court, S280752. (F084913; 91 Cal.App.5th 948; Fresno County Superior Court; 07CECG01169.) Petition for review after the Court of Appeal issued a writ of mandate in a civil action. This case presents the following issues: (1) Is the requirement that a party seeking to disqualify a trial judge for alleged lack of impartiality file a verified statement of disqualification “at the earliest practicable opportunity” subject to waiver or forfeiture? (2) Did the Court of Appeal err in concluding that the trial judge’s challenged statements did not qualify as expressions of the court’s views on issues pending before it in the proceeding?

Petition for review granted: 8/30/2023

Case fully briefed: 12/03/2023

See the Court of Appeal Opinion.

In the news:  Challenge to Judge Not Always Subject to Time Constraints, Metropolitan News-Enterprise (May 23, 2023).