Opinion
Case No. SACV 13-00281-JST (RNBx)
04-08-2013
Michael Zaldivar v. Jayco Capital Group, Inc., et al.
ATTORNEYS PRESENT FOR PLAINTIFF: Not Present ATTORNEYS PRESENT FOR DEFENDANT: Not Present
CIVIL MINUTES - GENERAL
Present: Honorable JOSEPHINE STATON TUCKER , UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
+-----------------------------+ ¦Terry Guerrero¦N/A ¦ +--------------+--------------¦ ¦Deputy Clerk ¦Court Reporter¦ +-----------------------------+
ATTORNEYS PRESENT FOR PLAINTIFF:
Not Present
ATTORNEYS PRESENT FOR DEFENDANT:
Not Present
PROCEEDINGS: (IN CHAMBERS) ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE RE:
SUBJECT-MATTER JURISDICTION
Plaintiff Michael Zaldivar alleges federal subject-matter jurisdiction on the basis of federal-question jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1331. (Compl. ¶ 1, Doc. 1.) Federal subject-matter jurisdiction is established by the presence of an action arising under federal law. See 28 U.S.C. § 1331. The determination as to whether the case "arises under" federal law is governed by the "well-pleaded complaint rule," which provides that "federal jurisdiction exists only when a federal question is presented on the face of the plaintiff's properly pleaded complaint." Caterpillar, Inc. v. Williams, 482 U.S. 386, 392 (1987) (citing Gully v. First Nat'l Bank, 299 U.S. 109, 112 (1936)).
Here, none of Plaintiff's claims arise under federal law, so federal-question jurisdiction is not met. Plaintiff asserts four state law claims: (1) setting aside trustee's sale; (2) wrongful foreclosure; (3) fraud; and (4) cancellation of instruments. None of these claims arise under federal law. Plaintiff also asserts jurisdiction based on 28 U.S.C. § 2201, but the Declaratory Judgment Act is not an independent basis for federal subject-matter jurisdiction. See Fiedler v. Clark, 714 F.2d 77, 79 (9th Cir. 1983) (holding that the Declaratory Judgment Act does not provide an independent jurisdictional basis for suits in federal court). Plaintiff further asserts jurisdiction based on 28 U.S.C. § 2203, but this section is "[r]eserved for future legislation," and therefore does not provide a basis for subject-matter jurisdiction.
Therefore, Plaintiff has failed to allege a basis for federal subject-matter jurisdiction. Accordingly, the Court orders Plaintiff to show cause why this Court should not dismiss the case for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction. Plaintiff shall submit a written response no later than April 29, 2013. Failure to timely respond will result in immediate dismissal of this action.
Initials of Preparer: tg