We were shocked when Scientology leader David Miscavige pulled it off: On the morning of April 16, when Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert Broadbelt was scheduled to make final a tentative ruling he had posted the night before that found Scientology’s “religious arbitration” to be so unfair to former church members it was “unconscionable,” Miscavige’s attorney Jeffrey Riffer showed up, announced that Miscavige — who had spent months evading service — was now making his first official appearance in Jane Doe 1’s forced-marriage lawsuit, and his first official act was to remove the judge.
“and then accepting service of the summons and complaint at the urging of Judge Broadbelt” oh? That’s how Riffer sees it? The rest of us read the tentative ruling by Judge Hammock that ended up being published. Miscavige scrambled to accept service in this case as well to avoid further embarrassment by forcing Broadbelt to file a similar ruling.
I hope Riffer has money set aside because when he commits what Miscavige determines to be an egregious mistake, like not forcing the judge to rule the way he wants him to, he will be unceremoniously kicked to the curb. At that point, with the stink of Scientology firmly entrenched in his pores, he will be hard pressed to find clients. This will not make me sad.
"Petitioner’s repeated contention that Mr. Miscavige is “not the type of newly appearing litigant” who should be allowed to file a peremptory challenge because he was allegedly “heavily involved” in the case is neither true nor legally relevant." -- Because as the "ecclesiastical leader" (as Riffer mentioned) of Scientology and named COB of one of the Defendants surely has recused himself from all dealings in this matter for all the other Scientology entities. Right? </sarcasm> Love to see some Discovery on this aspect.
Now the appeals court gets to decide on the difference between 'special appearances' and 'official appearances'. Give it to Riffer, he can split the hairs on anyone's head until that guy is bald.
But is it fair? Fairness doesn't matter, unless you find $cieno 'arbitration' unconscionable, then you must be tossed out the window. I do hope that the appeals court takes Miscavige's summons dodging into account.
What has happened to the legal system in this country? So much money wasted on frivolous lawsuits every day. And now, in this case, money wasted on the attempts to serve a man who acts like a frightened child trying to evade service. Surely the members are curious about this, if they are even aware of it. If you’re not guilty of any wrongdoing, then why are you hiding? He should definitely have to pay for the extra expenses incurred by the plaintiffs in these cases. But of course it will be the donors to the IAS who will pay for it all. Sorry, just needed to rant.
“Mr. Miscavige, just like every other litigant in this state…”. - the Rifferator
Does that mean Miscavige really does live in California? Good to know for future process service.
“and then accepting service of the summons and complaint at the urging of Judge Broadbelt” oh? That’s how Riffer sees it? The rest of us read the tentative ruling by Judge Hammock that ended up being published. Miscavige scrambled to accept service in this case as well to avoid further embarrassment by forcing Broadbelt to file a similar ruling.
I hope Riffer has money set aside because when he commits what Miscavige determines to be an egregious mistake, like not forcing the judge to rule the way he wants him to, he will be unceremoniously kicked to the curb. At that point, with the stink of Scientology firmly entrenched in his pores, he will be hard pressed to find clients. This will not make me sad.
"Petitioner’s repeated contention that Mr. Miscavige is “not the type of newly appearing litigant” who should be allowed to file a peremptory challenge because he was allegedly “heavily involved” in the case is neither true nor legally relevant." -- Because as the "ecclesiastical leader" (as Riffer mentioned) of Scientology and named COB of one of the Defendants surely has recused himself from all dealings in this matter for all the other Scientology entities. Right? </sarcasm> Love to see some Discovery on this aspect.
Now the appeals court gets to decide on the difference between 'special appearances' and 'official appearances'. Give it to Riffer, he can split the hairs on anyone's head until that guy is bald.
But is it fair? Fairness doesn't matter, unless you find $cieno 'arbitration' unconscionable, then you must be tossed out the window. I do hope that the appeals court takes Miscavige's summons dodging into account.
What has happened to the legal system in this country? So much money wasted on frivolous lawsuits every day. And now, in this case, money wasted on the attempts to serve a man who acts like a frightened child trying to evade service. Surely the members are curious about this, if they are even aware of it. If you’re not guilty of any wrongdoing, then why are you hiding? He should definitely have to pay for the extra expenses incurred by the plaintiffs in these cases. But of course it will be the donors to the IAS who will pay for it all. Sorry, just needed to rant.