Marani v. Cramer

Background

Kevin Marani filed a motion for summary judgment against Michael Cramer, Florence Cramer, Mark Cramer, and Scott Cramer. The order concerns the defendants identified in Marani’s motion as unrepresented parties. The opinion does not describe the underlying claims.

Notice about summary judgment

The court issued a notice required by Ninth Circuit authority for self-represented parties responding to a summary-judgment motion. Summary judgment is a procedure that can resolve a case without a trial when there is no genuine dispute about a fact that could affect the result and the moving party is entitled to judgment under the law.

The court warned the defendants that, if Marani’s motion were properly supported by sworn statements or other admissible evidence, they could not simply rely on their previous answers or motions. They needed to provide specific facts through declarations, depositions, answers to interrogatories, or authenticated documents. Those materials needed to contradict the facts in Marani’s evidence and show a genuine dispute requiring a trial. The court stated that failure to submit opposing evidence could result in summary judgment against them and closure of the case.

Order

The court advised the defendants about a handbook for self-represented litigants and free basic legal information available through the Legal Help Center. It gave them one final opportunity to oppose the pending motion and ordered that any opposition be filed by October 16, 2023.

The order did not decide Marani’s motion for summary judgment. It did not grant or deny summary judgment, and it did not state a final result on the underlying claims.