DISCUSSION

Under the Domestic Violence Prevention Act, the court may issue a domestic violence restraining order upon evidence showing, “to the satisfaction of the court, reasonable proof of a past act or acts of abuse.” (§ 6300, subd. (a).) Only people with certain specified relationships are eligible for a domestic violence restraining order, including cohabitants or former cohabitants, and a child of a party. (§§ 6301, 6211.) H.B. filed an opening brief challenging the domestic violence restraining order. H.B.’s brief fails to cite any applicable authority, and, for the most part, fails to cite to the record. F.S. did not file a responsive brief. We will not address H.B.’s appellate claims because her appeal is moot. It is well settled that courts decide actual controversies and normally will not render opinions that are merely advisory. (Ebensteiner Co., Inc. v. Chadmar Group (2006) 143 Cal.App.4th 1174, 1178-1179.) An appeal is moot where, through no fault of the respondent, an event occurs that renders it impossible for the reviewing court to provide the appellant effective relief. (Ibid.) “ ‘If relief granted by the trial court is temporal, and if the relief granted expires before an appeal can be heard, then an appeal by the adverse party is moot.’ ” (City of Monterey v. Carrnshimba (2013) 215 Cal.App.4th 1068, 1079.) In this case, it is undisputed that the domestic violence restraining order expired by its own terms on September 26, 2024. Nothing in the record shows that the restraining order has been renewed. Thus, there is no effective relief we can grant H.B. on appeal. (Cf. Harris v. Stampolis (2016) 248 Cal.App.4th 484, 495-496 [appeal from expired civil harassment restraining order is not moot if the order has been renewed].)

3 While an appellate court may exercise its discretion to hear an otherwise moot case, the circumstances warranting such review are extremely limited. (Malatka v. Helm (2010) 188 Cal.App.4th 1074, 1088.) They include: (1) the case raises an issue of broad public interest; (2) the conduct leading to the underlying action is likely to recur; or (3) a material question remains for the court to decide. (Ibid.) None of these circumstances exist here. Accordingly, we shall dismiss the appeal as moot.

DISPOSITION

The appeal from the order granting a domestic violence restraining order in favor of F.S. and I.S. and against H.B. in case No. 2357 is dismissed as moot. Each party shall bear his or her own costs on appeal. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.278(a)(5).)

/s/

EARL, P. J.

We concur:

/s/

RENNER, J.

/s/

BOULWARE EURIE, J.

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