California Supreme Court Watch

#25-92 Pitt v. Metropolitan Tower Life Ins. Co., S289376.  (9th Cir. No. 23-55566; 129 F.4th 583; Southern District of California; No. 3:20-cv-00694-RSH-DEB.)  Request under California Rules of Court, rule 8.548, that this court decide a question of California law presented in a matter pending in the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.  The question presented is:  Do California Insurance Code sections 10113.71 and 10113.72 apply to life insurance policies originally issued or delivered in another state but maintained by a policy owner in California?

Request for certification granted: 4/16/2025

Opening brief on the merits filed: 6/27/2025

Filed: Joint Notice of Settlement: 7/11/2025

Dismissal order filed: 9/03/2025

“In light of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit’s order of August 13, 2025, dismissing the appeal in Case No. 23-55566 and withdrawing its request that this court decide a question of California law (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.548), the parties’ ‘Joint Stipulated Request for Dismissal with Prejudice,’ filed July 29, 2025, is granted. The above-captioned matter is dismissed.”

Votes: Guerrero, C. J., Corrigan, Liu, Kruger, Groban, Jenkins and Evans, JJ.

See the Certification Order.

In the news: 9th Circuit asks state Supreme Court top weigh life insurance law, Daily Journal (Feb. 21, 2025).