Pucella v. Sonoma Coffee Café LLC
Opinion
Opinion
MEMORANDUM
Becky and Gordon Smith appeal pro se from the district court’s judgment confirming an arbitration award against them due to their noncompliance with a local rule. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 . We review for an abuse of discretion. Ghazali v. Moran, 46 F.3d 52, 53 (9th Cir.1995) (per curiam). We reverse and remand.
Because a review of the record shows that the arbitrator did not impose any liability against the Smiths in the arbitration award, summary confirmation of the arbitration award against the Smiths was improper. See United States v. Prairie Pharmacy, Inc., 921 F.2d 211, 212 (9th Cir.1990) (a district court abuses its discretion where “the record contains no evidence on which it could rationally base its decision” (citation and internal quotation marks omitted)).
Accordingly, we reverse the district court’s judgment against the Smiths and remand for further proceedings consistent with this disposition. We do not reach the Smiths’ remaining contentions and we do not disturb the district court’s judgment against any other defendant.
Appellees’ request for attorneys’ fees and costs, set forth in their answering brief, is denied.