Opinion
Case No. CV 11-6297-VBF (SHx)
09-13-2011
Aviara Holdings LLC v. In Touch Entertainment, et al.
CIVIL MINUTES — GENERAL
PRESENT: HONORABLE VALERIE BAKER FAIRBANK, U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE
Joseph Remigio
Courtroom Deputy
None Present
Court Reporter
ATTORNEYS PRESENT FOR PLAINTIFFS:
None Present
ATTORNEYS PRESENT FOR DEFENDANTS:
None Present
PROCEEDINGS (IN CHAMBERS): COURT ORDER DISMISSING FOR LACK OF SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION
On August 3, 2011, the Court set an OSC re Lack of Subject Matter Jurisdiction, and ordered Plaintiff to file a response by September 6, 2011. (Docket No. 5). The Court noted in its August 3, 2011 Order setting the OSC, "[f]ailure to adequately respond to this OSC may result in dismissal for lack of subject matter jurisdiction." (Docket No. 5). As of September 12, 2011, Plaintiff has not filed a response to OSC.
Plaintiff's Complaint (dkt. 1), filed on July 29, 2011, fails to adequately state the grounds for this Court's jurisdiction over the claims asserted therein. Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(1) requires Plaintiff to state "a short and plain statement of the grounds for the court's jurisdiction." Furthermore, Local Rule 8-1 requires Plaintiff to plainly specify in the first paragraph of the Complaint "The statutory or other basis for the exercise of jurisdiction by this Court[.]" Plaintiff did not comply with either rule.
Federal courts have subject matter jurisdiction only over matters authorized by the Constitution and Congress. Bender v. Williamsport Area School District, 475 U.S. 534, 541 (1986). For diversity jurisdiction, Plaintiff must allege (1) that there is complete diversity of citizenship between the parties and (2) that the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000. 28 U.S.C. § 1332. A corporation is deemed to be a citizen of
Initials of Deputy Clerk jre any state by which it has been incorporated and of any state where it has its principal place of business. 28 U.S.C. § 1332(c)(1).
The actual citizenship of the relevant parties is not stated. See Kanter v. Warner-Lambert Co., 265 F.3d 853, 857 (9th Cir. 2001) ("Absent unusual circumstances, a party seeking to invoke diversity jurisdiction should be able to allege affirmatively the actual citizenship of the relevant parties."). Plaintiff has also not demonstrated that this Court has jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1331, as Plaintiff's Complaint indicates no federal question and alleges causes of action for "Breach of Contract," "Tortious Interference of Business," and "Defamation of Character." (Docket No. 1).
In sum, Plaintiff has failed to sufficiently establish a basis for this Court's jurisdiction. The OSC set for September 12, 2011 at 8:30 a.m. on the non-appearance calendar is VACATED, and the case is DISMISSED, without prejudice.