Shayan v. Alliant International University CA2/1 ( 2022 )


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  • Filed 8/29/22 Shayan v. Alliant International University CA2/1
    NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS
    California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions
    not certified for publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion
    has not been certified for publication or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.
    IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
    SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT
    DIVISION ONE
    ARIANA SHAYAN,                                                        B316721
    Plaintiff and Appellant,                                    (Los Angeles County
    Super. Ct. No. 20STCP01322)
    v.
    ALLIANT INTERNATIONAL
    UNIVERSITY,
    Defendant and Respondent.
    APPEAL from an order of the Superior Court of
    Los Angeles County, Mitchell L. Beckloff, Judge. Reversed.
    Kosnett Law Firm and James V. Kosnett for Plaintiff and
    Appellant.
    Paul, Plevin, Sullivan & Connaughton, E. Joseph
    Connaughton and Karyn R. Moore for Defendant and
    Respondent.
    ____________________________
    Ariana Shayan appeals from an order denying her motion
    to enforce a writ of administrative mandate issued against
    Alliant International University (the University), respondent
    here.
    The University dismissed Shayan from its clinical
    psychology program after finding she had cheated on
    examinations and engaged in “unauthorized collaboration” by
    working with a fellow student on schoolwork. Shayan challenged
    her dismissal through a petition for a writ of administrative
    mandate under Code of Civil Procedure1 section 1094.5. The trial
    court concluded the charge of unauthorized collaboration, to
    which Shayan admitted, was supported by substantial evidence.
    The court found the evidence that Shayan had cheated on exams,
    however, to consist of multiple levels of uncorroborated hearsay,
    with no means for the University adjudicators to evaluate the
    credibility of the witnesses. The court thus concluded the charge
    of exam cheating was not supported by substantial evidence. In
    light of that finding, the court granted the writ petition, directing
    the University to reconsider whether dismissal remained an
    appropriate sanction.
    The University then filed a return reporting its compliance
    with the writ. The return attached a written statement from one
    of the hearsay declarants, and a new decision by a University
    dean once again dismissing Shayan. The new decision no longer
    mentioned the exam cheating charge; instead, it was based on the
    incident of unauthorized collaboration to which Shayan had
    admitted, as well as a second incident of unauthorized
    1Unspecified statutory citations are to the Code of Civil
    Procedure.
    2
    collaboration the University contended was established by the
    hearsay declarant’s statement and other evidence.
    Shayan filed a motion to enforce the writ under section
    1097, arguing the University’s new decision relied on essentially
    the same evidence rejected by the trial court when it granted the
    writ, and therefore did not comply with the writ. Shayan
    demanded reinstatement, sanctions against the University, and
    initiation of contempt proceedings under section 1211.
    The trial court denied the motion, finding the University
    had reconsidered the decision as the trial court had ordered and
    thus was not in defiance of the writ. In its comments at the
    hearing on the motion, the trial court expressly left for another
    day the question whether the University’s new decision was valid
    on its own merits. The trial court indicated its belief that if
    Shayan wished to challenge the new decision, she should do so
    through a new writ petition.
    On appeal, Shayan argues, as she did below, that the
    University’s new decision suffered from the same flaws as the
    first decision, in particular its reliance on hearsay, and thus the
    University’s supposed compliance with the writ was illusory. She
    further argues the trial court erred by not considering the full
    substance of the University’s new decision before denying her
    enforcement motion.
    We decline to address the adequacy of the University’s new
    decision, a question on which the trial court has yet to rule and
    for which we do not have a sufficient record. We agree, however,
    that as a legal and practical proposition, the trial court should
    have ruled on the adequacy of the new decision before denying
    Shayan’s enforcement motion. Case law confirms that a motion
    under section 1097 is one of several ways a petitioner may
    3
    challenge the adequacy of a respondent’s return, and the trial
    court erred to the extent it suggested Shayan must file a new
    writ petition.
    Accordingly, we reverse and remand for the trial court to
    address Shayan’s challenge to the University’s new decision.
    BACKGROUND
    1.    The University Dismisses Shayan for Academic
    Misconduct
    The parties have not included the administrative record of
    the underlying disciplinary proceedings in the record on appeal.
    Our summary of those proceedings is taken from the trial court’s
    ruling granting the writ of administrative mandate.
    Shayan was a doctoral student in the University’s clinical
    psychology program. In February 2018, the University
    investigated allegations that Shayan had cheated on her
    coursework. The University took no action against Shayan at
    that time, but advised her that if more evidence of academic
    misconduct emerged, she would be “ ‘at risk of immediate
    termination from the program . . . .’ ”
    In October 2019, the University investigated new
    allegations that Shayan had cheated on her Clinical Proficiency
    Assessment (CPA) exam. The University’s Student Evaluation
    and Review Committee (SERC) held a meeting on October 14,
    2019, followed by a hearing before the Student Conduct Hearing
    Committee (Conduct Committee) on November 14, 2019. Shayan
    appeared at both the meeting and the hearing and denied the
    allegations of academic misconduct. The University presented no
    live testimony, instead offering written summaries of statements
    by Shayan’s classmates, and an audit report by the University’s
    4
    information technology department of Shayan’s e-mail on the
    University e-mail system.
    The Conduct Committee concluded Shayan had violated the
    University’s code of conduct regarding “examination behavior” by
    cheating on exams, and, separately, had engaged in
    “unauthorized collaboration” by seeking assistance from a
    classmate on a psychology paper. Following Shayan’s
    unsuccessful appeal of the findings to the vice president of
    student services, the clinical psychology program director
    (program director) dismissed Shayan from the program.
    Shayan appealed her dismissal to a dean. In that appeal,
    Shayan admitted to the charge of unauthorized collaboration
    with a classmate on a psychology paper, but continued to deny
    cheating on exams. The dean upheld the dismissal.
    2.    The Trial Court Grants Shayan’s Petition for a Writ
    of Administrative Mandate
    Shayan challenged her dismissal through a petition for a
    writ of administrative mandate in the trial court. She argued she
    was denied a fair hearing, the evidence did not support the
    University’s findings, and her penalty of dismissal was excessive.
    The trial court found that the hearing process was fair,
    rejecting Shayan’s arguments that she was entitled to cross-
    examine witnesses, that the University presented false evidence,
    that the adjudicators were biased, that the University utilized an
    improper single-investigator discipline system, or that the
    University improperly rejected Shayan’s new evidence in her
    administrative appeal. The court found substantial evidence of
    unauthorized collaboration, in light of Shayan’s admission that
    she had done so.
    5
    The trial court found, however, that the evidence Shayan
    cheated on her exams was “uncorroborated hearsay,” and
    therefore was not substantial evidence in support of that charge.
    The University’s finding was based on information from two of
    Shayan’s classmates, Lisette Montanez and Nirvana Ramtahal,
    presented in the form of a “ ‘timeline of information from Lisette
    Montanez’ ”and notes taken by the program director when she
    interviewed Montanez and Ramtahal.
    The trial court found the evidence presented by the
    University was insufficient for the SERC or Conduct Committee
    to make a proper credibility determination. Montanez and
    Ramtahal did not appear before either committee, nor did the
    program director who interviewed them. The program director’s
    interview notes did not address witness demeanor and attitude,
    or indicate whether the program director considered the
    witnesses’ motives or bias. The notes “constituted two layers of
    hearsay from which veracity—the primary issue on the
    disciplinary claim—turned.”
    The trial court further found the “timeline evidence” from
    Montanez was “replete with multiple-level hearsay,” with the
    supposedly corroborating documentation all coming from
    Montanez—“a hearsay declarant’s statements cannot be
    corroborated by the hearsay declarant.”
    The trial court concluded, “There was nothing before the
    SERC or Conduct Committee to judge the credibility of Montanez
    or Ramtahal. This is particularly problematic when the
    University resolved the credibility issue in favor of Montanez
    and/or Ramtahal over [Shayan].”
    Turning to the question of whether the penalty of dismissal
    was excessive given that the only substantiated charge was
    6
    unauthorized collaboration, the trial court quoted Miller v.
    Eisenhower Medical Center (1980) 
    27 Cal.3d 614
    , 635 for the
    proposition “ ‘that in cases involving the imposition of a penalty
    or other disciplinary action by an administrative body, when it
    appears that some of the charges are not sustained by the
    evidence, the matter will be returned to the administrative body
    for redetermination in all cases in which there is a “real doubt” as
    to whether the same action would have been taken upon a proper
    assessment of the evidence.’ ” The trial court “finds this case ‘is
    one in which the principle of “real doubt” should properly be
    applied.’ [Citation.]”
    The trial court granted Shayan’s petition, and on
    May 4, 2021, issued a writ stating, “The University is ordered to
    reconsider the matter ‘in light of the court’s opinion and
    judgment . . . .’ The court does ‘not limit or control in any way the
    discretion legally vested in’ the University. (See Code Civ. Proc.
    § 1094.5, subd. (f).)” The writ directed the University “to comply
    and to file a return to this Writ within 60 days after service upon
    you.”
    3.    The University Files a Return to the Writ
    On June 30, 2021, the University filed a return to the writ
    stating it had reconsidered its decision, specifically by obtaining a
    “sworn statement” from Montanez, providing Shayan an
    opportunity to respond to Montanez’s statement, and having a
    dean not previously involved in the proceedings review the
    matter. After reconsideration, the University issued a new
    decision again dismissing Shayan. The return attached two
    documents: the “Statement of Lisette Montanez,” and the
    University’s new decision. (Boldface omitted.)
    7
    In her statement, Montanez stated she had been
    interviewed by the program director during the initial
    investigation and had provided certain information, which she
    summarized. Montanez further averred that she had accepted
    responsibility for her own academic misconduct and complied
    with sanctions imposed by the SERC. In the final paragraph of
    the statement, Montanez “certif[ied]” that the information in the
    statement was “true and correct to the best of my knowledge and
    recollection,” and indicated her understanding that making false
    statements could subject her to “disciplinary proceedings” by the
    University. The statement bears what appears to be Montanez’s
    signature.
    The University’s new decision was in the form of a letter
    addressed to Shayan from the new dean of the University’s school
    of professional psychology, David Stewart. The letter stated that
    Stewart had reviewed the documentation related to Shayan’s
    case, as well as the “sworn declaration” from Montanez. The
    letter stated that Stewart “afforded [Shayan] the opportunity to
    respond” to Montanez’s statement, and that Shayan’s attorney
    responded that Shayan already had addressed Montanez’s
    allegations in the first disciplinary proceeding.
    The letter then explained the basis of Stewart’s conclusion
    that dismissal remained the appropriate sanction. Stewart noted
    Shayan’s 2018 referral to the SERC and the warning to her at
    that time that future acts of misconduct put her at risk of
    immediate termination. Stewart further noted that Montanez’s
    statement supported the SERC’s earlier finding of “unauthorized
    collaboration,” and Montanez’s statement was “corroborated by
    documented evidence in the form of multiple emails and the
    results of the [information technology department] investigation
    8
    in 2019. This evidence shows unauthorized collaboration in 2017
    (also admitted to by [Shayan]) as well as unauthorized
    collaboration in 2019.” Stewart concluded that dismissal was
    appropriate “[c]onsidering the repeated acts of unauthorized
    collaboration, the prior findings by SERC in 2018 and specific
    admonition about the risks of future academic misconduct.”
    Stewart’s letter did not refer to the charge that Shayan had
    cheated on exams.
    Stewart’s letter also “address[ed] the credibility of
    Ms. Montanez,” stating that “Ms. Montanez is obligated legally
    and professionally to not only tell the truth in any proceeding,
    but also to fully cooperate with any inquiry involving ethics and
    professional standards and to report any colleagues engaging in
    unethical behavior, including academic dishonesty. Considering
    her professional and legal obligations, her own admission and
    acceptance of sanctions related to the CPA exam, [and] the
    corroboration of her sworn statements by the [information
    technology department] investigation, I have determined
    Ms. Montanez’s statements are truthful and credible in light of
    the entire record.”
    4.    Shayan Moves To Enforce the Writ
    In response to the University’s new decision, Shayan filed a
    motion in the trial court to enforce the original writ under section
    1097, contending the University had not complied. Shayan
    claimed that the trial court’s ruling, as well as the University’s
    own policies, prohibited consideration of new evidence, namely
    Montanez’s written statement. To the extent new evidence could
    be considered, Shayan argued Montanez’s statement nonetheless
    was hearsay and therefore suffered from the same defects as the
    evidence the trial court found insufficient when granting the writ.
    9
    Shayan further argued the statement provided no new
    information, but merely reiterated evidence the University
    already had presented and the trial court found wanting.
    Shayan also questioned the credibility of Montanez’s
    statement, which Shayan argued was not a proper declaration on
    penalty of perjury and was “specifically solicited by [the
    University] for the purpose of justifying [Shayan’s] dismissal.”
    Shayan listed reasons not to trust Montanez’s statements,
    including implying that Montanez had cooperated with the
    University in exchange for a lesser sanction.
    In conclusion, Shayan argued, “Respondents have shown
    that they will go to any length to disregard the Court’s judgment”
    and “[a]ny remand of the matter to Respondents would be futile
    and would likely result in prolonged re-litigation.” Shayan
    requested the trial court order the University to readmit her and
    to fine the University “for intentionally failing to obey the Court’s
    judgment.” Shayan further requested the court hold a hearing to
    show cause why the University should not be held in contempt
    under section 1211.
    The University filed an opposition, arguing that the
    University had complied with the writ, which required the
    University only to reconsider its decision, not reinstate Shayan.
    The University further argued that it was entitled to consider
    new evidence, and that Montanez’s statement was credible and
    could be considered despite being hearsay.
    In reply, Shayan argued the University’s new decision
    continued to rely on uncorroborated hearsay, with no means of
    assessing the credibility of Montanez and Ramtahal, and
    therefore did not comply with the writ. “[The University’s]
    dismissal decision is still based on the same evidence and is
    10
    therefore not proper in light of the Court’s opinion and
    judgment.”
    5.    The Trial Court Denies the Motion To Enforce the
    Writ
    At the hearing on the motion to enforce the writ, the trial
    court stated its tentative decision to deny the motion. The trial
    court noted that its original judgment directed the University to
    set aside its dismissal decision and reconsider it, and according to
    the return, the University had done so. Whether the new
    decision was itself supported by sufficient evidence would be the
    subject of a new writ proceeding, not a motion to enforce the
    original writ.
    Arguing against the tentative, Shayan’s counsel contended
    the University’s reconsideration was a “charade,” because the
    new decision was based on “an unsworn statement” that was
    “transparently redundant of what [the trial court] found
    insufficient.” Shayan’s counsel warned that a ruling in the
    University’s favor would allow it to avoid enforcement of the writ
    by continually issuing new decisions based on new evidence that
    was no better than what the trial court already had rejected.
    The University agreed with the trial court that it had
    complied with the order to reconsider its decision, and any
    challenge to that decision should be brought as a new writ
    petition.
    The trial court explained that the original writ indicated
    the trial court was “not controlling the discretion of the
    University,” and thus the writ allowed the University to impose a
    different penalty, hold a new hearing, call witnesses, or
    “whatever it wanted to do.” “The return on the writ indicates and
    the evidence indicates that there was a new decision. The new
    11
    decision, while we may dispute the merits of that new decision, it
    did include some new evidence. Whether it’s sufficient or not is
    not for today.”
    The trial court reiterated its finding that the University
    complied with the writ by setting aside the original decision and
    reconsidering it, and therefore any challenge to the new decision
    must be brought by a new writ petition. It adopted its tentative
    decision and denied the motion to enforce the writ. Its written
    minute order stated, “The Court having fully considered the
    arguments of all parties, both written and oral, as well as the
    evidence presented, now rules as follows: [¶] Motion For Order
    To Enforce Judgment Under CCP §1097 and For Order To Show
    Cause Under CCP §1211 is denied.” (Some capitalization
    omitted.)
    Shayan timely appealed.
    DISCUSSION
    “ ‘ “The remedy of administrative mandamus . . . applies to
    private organizations that provide for a formal evidentiary
    hearing,” ’ ” such as a private university conducting disciplinary
    proceedings. (Doe v. Claremont McKenna College (2018)
    
    25 Cal.App.5th 1055
    , 1065.) “The inquiry in such a case shall
    extend to the questions whether the respondent has proceeded
    without, or in excess of, jurisdiction; whether there was a fair
    trial; and whether there was any prejudicial abuse of discretion.
    Abuse of discretion is established if the respondent has not
    proceeded in the manner required by law, the order or decision is
    not supported by the findings, or the findings are not supported
    by the evidence.” (§ 1094.5, subd. (b).) The trial court may order
    the University “to set aside the order or decision.” (Id., subd. (f).)
    If the trial court does so, “it may order the reconsideration of the
    12
    case in light of the court’s opinion and judgment and may order
    respondent to take such further action as is specially enjoined
    upon it by law, but the judgment shall not limit or control in any
    way the discretion legally vested in the respondent.” (Ibid.)
    “When a respondent believes it has completely fulfilled the
    terms of a writ, its return should state that it has satisfied the
    writ in full compliance with the final judgment and writ, and set
    out the actions taken to meet the writ’s terms. [Citation.] ‘While
    detailed findings are not necessarily required, the [respondent’s]
    explanation should be thorough enough, and factual enough, to
    permit effective review by the courts.’ [Citation.]” (Los Angeles
    Internat. Charter High School v. Los Angeles Unified School Dist.
    (2012) 
    209 Cal.App.4th 1348
    , 1355 (Los Angeles Internat. Charter
    High School).)
    “Where, as here, the writ remands the matter to the
    administrative body with directions to proceed in a certain
    manner, and the return states that the court’s mandate has been
    carried out, the petitioner may challenge the validity of that
    claim in one of several ways.” (City of Carmel-By-The-Sea v.
    Board of Supervisors (1982) 
    137 Cal.App.3d 964
    , 971.) For
    example, the “[p]etitioner may proceed by a new petition
    under Code of Civil Procedure section 1094.5, or by supplemental
    petition (using the original action number).” (Ibid.) “[T]he
    petitioner is not required to proceed by writ,” however—“if [the
    petitioner] or the court is not satisfied with the return, the court
    may, on its own motion or on that of the petitioner, either oral or
    written, order the respondent to reconsider further.” (Ibid.)
    A petitioner may also challenge the adequacy of a return
    through a motion to enforce the writ under section 1097, as
    Shayan did here. (See King v. Woods (1983) 
    144 Cal.App.3d 571
    ,
    13
    578 (King).) That section provides, “If a peremptory mandate has
    been issued,” and the respondent, “without just excuse, refused or
    neglected to obey the writ, the court may, upon motion, impose a
    fine not exceeding one thousand dollars. In case of persistence in
    a refusal of obedience, the court may order the party to be
    imprisoned until the writ is obeyed, and may make any orders
    necessary and proper for the complete enforcement of the writ.”
    (§ 1097.)
    Despite the statutory language, a court need not find
    “evidence of wilful disobedience without just excuse” to grant a
    motion under section 1097. (See King, supra, 144 Cal.App.3d at
    p. 577.) The trial court has inherent authority to compel
    obedience with a writ it has issued, and therefore “the power to
    order compliance with a writ is not dependent on a showing of
    wilfulness or persistent refusal.” (Id. at p. 578; Los Angeles
    Internat. Charter High School, supra, 209 Cal.App.4th at p. 1355
    [“The trial court that issues a writ of mandate retains continuing
    jurisdiction to make any orders necessary for complete
    enforcement of the writ.”].) Thus, “when there is any inadequacy
    in the compliance with the writ,” a petitioner may invoke section
    1097 to request the trial court “make any order necessary and
    proper to enforce the writ.” (King, at p. 578.)
    On appeal, Shayan argues, as she did below, that the
    University’s new decision did not comply with the writ because it
    relied on Montanez’s statement, which Shayan contends is no
    better than the uncorroborated hearsay previously found
    insufficient by the trial court. She asks us to direct the trial
    court “to order [the University] to set aside Shayan’s dismissal
    and restore Shayan’s student status.” Alternatively, she argues
    the trial court erred by failing to consider the substance of the
    14
    University’s new decision before denying her enforcement motion,
    and requests that we remand for the trial court “to consider the
    substantive issue of whether [the University’s] reconsideration
    and new decision were actually made in accordance with and in
    light of the [trial] court’s opinion and judgment.”
    As to Shayan’s first request, that we hold at this juncture
    that the University’s new decision was flawed and that Shayan is
    entitled to reinstatement, we will not do so. The trial court has
    yet to rule on the adequacy of the new decision, and therefore
    there is no lower court determination for us to review.2
    Assuming arguendo it would be appropriate for us to rule on the
    adequacy of the new decision in the first instance, Shayan
    has not provided us with the full administrative record upon
    which that decision was based. (LA Investments, LLC v.
    Spix (2022) 
    75 Cal.App.5th 1044
    , 1048, fn. 1 [“It is
    appellants’ burden to provide an adequate record on appeal.].)
    We agree, however, with Shayan’s alternative contention
    that the trial court erred by denying her enforcement motion
    without considering the substance of the University’s new
    decision. The trial court concluded that the University had
    complied with the writ by reconsidering its decision, as ordered,
    and therefore enforcement under section 1097 was unwarranted.
    The trial court did not, however, rule on Shayan’s challenge to
    the substance of the University’s new decision, instead stating
    such challenge should be brought in a new writ petition.
    In so ruling, the trial court treated the University’s
    compliance with the original writ as a separate question from
    2  For the same reason, we decline to address the
    University’s arguments regarding the adequacy of its new
    decision.
    15
    whether the University’s new decision itself passed muster under
    section 1094.5. Implicit in a writ under section 1094.5, however,
    is a directive that any reconsidered decisions made in light of the
    writ also comply with section 1094.5—that is, that those
    decisions comply with due process, be supported by substantial
    evidence, and so forth. In evaluating whether the University
    complied with the writ, therefore, the trial court would have been
    within its authority to consider whether the University’s new
    decision complied with section 1094.5. It would be both
    unnecessary and inefficient to require Shayan to file a new writ
    petition before the trial court could conduct this review.
    Our conclusion is supported by the case law cited above. As
    City of Carmel-By-The-Sea and King demonstrate, a petitioner
    may challenge a reconsidered decision through a new writ
    petition, but need not do so. A petitioner may also request review
    of the new decision through a written or oral objection to the
    adequacy of the return, or through a motion to enforce the writ
    under section 1097. Shayan’s motion was an appropriate
    procedural method to challenge the substance of the University’s
    new decision, and the trial court could have, and should have,
    addressed the substance of the decision before ruling on Shayan’s
    motion.
    The University argues the trial court properly denied
    Shayan’s motion because motions under section 1097 are
    appropriate only when a writ is “ ‘persistently disobeyed,’ ”
    quoting Brown v. California Unemployment Ins. Appeals Bd.
    (2018) 
    20 Cal.App.5th 1107
    , 1114. The University does not
    address King, which held otherwise, and the reasoning of which
    we find persuasive. Brown merely summarizes the language of
    section 1097—it does not preclude a trial court from exercising its
    16
    inherent authority to enforce a writ even in the absence of
    persistent disobedience, as endorsed by King.
    The University cites Giannini Controls Corp. v. Superior
    Court (1966) 
    240 Cal.App.2d 142
    , 151 for the proposition that
    “the avenue for challenging a renewed decision is a new writ.”
    The University overstates the holding of Giannini Controls Corp.
    In that case, the petitioners successfully obtained a writ of
    mandate directing the Commissioner of Corporations to act on
    their request to determine whether they were entitled to a
    particular certificate. (Id. at p. 150.) When the commissioner
    issued a decision denying the certificate, the petitioners sought to
    challenge that decision with a supplemental writ petition. (Id. at
    p. 151.) The trial court denied leave to file the supplemental
    petition. (Ibid.) The Court of Appeal held this was error, and
    that the trial court should have permitted the petitioners to file
    the supplemental writ petition rather than “compel [them] to
    relitigate the same question under a different case number, by
    means of a [new] petition for a writ of mandate . . . .” (Ibid.)
    Giannini Controls Corp. merely held that a supplemental
    writ petition is a proper method of challenging a respondent’s
    return. It did not address, or foreclose, other methods of
    challenging a return.
    At oral argument, the University contended the trial court,
    by ruling the University complied with the writ, did in fact rule
    on the merits of the new decision, and therefore there is no need
    to remand for further proceedings. We reject this reading of the
    trial court’s ruling. The trial court, despite stating that “the
    University complied” with the writ, repeatedly indicated it was
    not ruling on the merits of the new decision, which in the trial
    court’s view should be addressed in a new section 1094.5
    17
    proceeding. The trial court stated the issue “whether [the new
    evidence] is sufficient or not, I think it’s subject to further
    proceedings under [section] 1094.5.” Later, the trial court
    similarly stated, “[w]hether [the new evidence is] sufficient or not
    is not for today.” It further stated, “[The University]
    reconsidered, whether you think it’s sufficient or not remains to
    be seen,” and “I think the new decision is subject to a writ under
    [section] 1094.5.” These comments are incompatible with the
    University’s contention that the trial court intended its ruling to
    address the merits of the new decision.
    We therefore reverse and remand for the trial court to
    consider Shayan’s challenge to the substance of the University’s
    new decision. This is not to say that, should the trial court find
    the new decision deficient for evidentiary or other reasons, the
    trial court is obliged to order Shayan reinstated, impose
    sanctions, and initiate contempt proceedings, as Shayan
    requested. Under both section 1097 and its inherent authority,
    the trial court may issue whatever orders it deems necessary and
    proper to enforce the writ. Those orders could, under some
    circumstances, include remedies such as those urged by Shayan
    here, but could also be milder, such as directing the University to
    reconsider its decision further. In other words, the trial court
    may find the University’s new decision inadequate under section
    1094.5 without also concluding the University so defied the writ
    as to deserve punishment. We express no opinion as to how the
    trial court should rule on this matter.
    18
    DISPOSITION
    The order denying the motion to enforce the judgment and
    for an order to show cause is reversed. The matter is remanded
    for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. Appellant
    Ariana Shayan is awarded her costs on appeal.
    NOT TO BE PUBLISHED.
    BENDIX, J.
    We concur:
    ROTHSCHILD, P. J.
    CHANEY, J.
    19
    

Document Info

Docket Number: B316721

Filed Date: 8/29/2022

Precedential Status: Non-Precedential

Modified Date: 8/29/2022