Appeals Court Upholds Asbestos Summary Pleading Order

SAN FRANCISCO - A California appeals court has ruled that a general order that aims to ease the burden of complex asbestos litigation by allowing parties to file summary pleadings does not run contrary to state court rules. Volkswagen of America, Inc. v. The Superior Court of San Francisco County, No. A095728 (Calif. Ct. App., First District).

In a decision published Dec. 18, the First District Court of Appeal said that despite challenges by several defendants on grounds it is proscribed and preempted by local rules relating to pleadings, the general order is a valid one and in no way …