Si-Ahmed

Defendants and appellants Smail Si-Ahmed, an individual (Si-Ahmed), Costa Overseas, Inc., a Panamanian corporation (Costa), and Inter-Consulter, Inc., a California corporation (Inter-Consulter), appeal an order denying their motion to set aside entry of a default judgment obtained by Crockford’s Club Limited, an English corporation (Crockford’s).

For the reasons discussed below, the order is affirmed.

Factual and Procedural Background

In July 1980, Si-Ahmed passed eight bad checks to Crockford’s, an English gambling casino, in the total amount of £400,000. In late 1982, Si-Ahmed made a partial payment of £20,000.

In January 1984, Crockford’s obtained a £380,157 default judgment in England against Si-Ahmed. Crockford’s hired an investigator to locate Si-Ahmed and secure payment. In 1986, Crockford’s traced Si-Ahmed to his new residence and office at 804 North Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.

On January 30, 1987, Crockford’s filed in the superior court a verified complaint for enforcement of the English judgment, and an ex parte application for a temporary restraining order to enjoin Si-Ahmed, Costa and Inter-Consulter from dissipating, secreting or removing their assets…