American Tobacco Co. v. Superior Court

Opinion

KLINE, P. J.

Petitioners, manufacturers of tobacco products, each of whom is a defendant in one or more of eleven lawsuits pending in respondent court, seek a writ of mandate and/or prohibition to compel the lower court to set aside its orders denying petitioners’ motions for judgment on the pleadings in the actions filed by the real parties in interest. As we explain, petitioners are entitled to judgments on the pleadings; accordingly, we shall grant the petition.

Background

The real parties in interest (who, for the sake of simplicity, shall be referred to as plaintiffs) consist of…