Chalco-California Corp. v. Superior Court

Petitioner in this mandamus proceeding, hereinafter referred to as plaintiff, seeks to compel the superior court to grant its motion for an order directing the production for inspection and copying of certain documents in the files of North American Aviation, Inc., the real party in interest, hereinafter called defendant. The subject documents relate to a contract between defendant and one Varo, Inc., hereinafter sometimes called Varo. As will appear, we have concluded that plaintiff has failed to show an abuse of discretion by the trial court in its denial of plaintiff’s motion. Accordingly, the writ sought should be denied.

In March 1962 plaintiff commenced an action against defendant for breach of contract, reasonable value of services and materials, conversion, breach of confidential relationship and copyright infringement. The complaint sets forth four alleged causes of action. The first count alleges, in substance, that in August 1960 the parties agreed in writing that plaintiff was to manufacture nine power supply units for defendant according to defendant’s “B” specifications and at a stated price; that under such written agreement defendant reserved “the right at any…