Wednesday, January 22, 2003
Page 3
Superior Court Judge Berle Assigned to Review Eight Clergy Abuse Cases
By a MetNews Staff Writer
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Elihu M. Berle will review eight abuse cases involving clergy and will determine which of them should be coordinated for trial.
Berle was assigned as coordination motion judge for the three Los Angeles Superior Court and five Orange Superior Court cases by judge by Chief Justice Ronald George. If Berle determines that two or more cases are complex and should be coordinated, he will recommend the appropriate court site for assignment of a judge.
The eight cases are collectively known as the Clergy Cases. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles is the primary defendant in five cases, while the other three list Doe defendants.
Coordination brings together cases with a common question of fact or law pending in different counties under Code of Civil Procedure Sec. 403 and Secs. 404-404.9 and rules 1500-1550 of California Rules of Court.
“Coordination is designed to avoid unnecessary duplication of judicial resources, to create convenience for parties, witnesses, and counsel, and to reduce the risk of inconsistent rulings,” Administrative Office of the Courts spokeswoman Lynn Holton said.
Copyright 2003, Metropolitan News Company