Stermer v. SUPERIOR COURT OF VENTURA CTY.

Opinion

STONE (S. J.), P. J.

Here we consider whether a court has the authority to order a deponent to perform a physical reenactment of an event at a deposition. We hold that a court is without any such authority and shall grant a writ of mandate.

On May 4, 1990, the five-week-old infant daughter of petitioners, William and Margery Stermer, died when a car seat in which she was riding allegedly failed to protect her during a collision. Petitioners filed a lawsuit against real parties, Dayton Hudson Corporation, the seller, and Kolcraft Enterprises, Inc., the manufacturer of the car seat.

During…