Case 1:07-cv-00060-GMS
Document 31
Filed 08/21/2007
Page 1 of 6
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE ) ) Plaintiff, ) ) v. ) ) BRETT J. CORMICK and ELAN SUISSE ) INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS (USA) ) LLC, ) ) Defendants. ) ____________________________________) ELAN SUISSE, LTD., ) ) Plaintiff, ) ) v. ) ) ROBERT D. CHRIST, ) ) Defendant. ) ____________________________________) ROBERT D. CHRIST,
C.A. No. 06-275-GMS
C.A. No. 07-60-GMS
MOTION TO DETERMINE APPLICABLE LAW Brett J. Cormick and Elan Suisse International Holdings (USA) LLC, defendants in Civil Action No. 06-275-GMS, and Elan Suisse, Ltd., plaintiff in Civil Action No. 07-60-GMS, hereby move, in accordance with paragraph 7 of the Scheduling Order in the above-caption actions, for an Order in the form attached hereto, determining the applicable law (to the extent not agreed upon by the parties). The bases for this motion are set forth in the opening memorandum filed contemporaneously herewith.
Case 1:07-cv-00060-GMS
Document 31
Filed 08/21/2007
Page 2 of 6
Dated: August 21, 2007. Respectfully submitted,
/s/ David L. Finger David L. Finger (DE Bar ID #2556) Finger & Slanina, LLC One Commerce Center 1201 Orange Street, Suite 725 Wilmington, DE 19801-1155 (302) 884-6766 Attorney for Brett J. Cormick, Elan Suisse International Holdings (USA) LLC, and Elan Suisse Ltd.
Case 1:07-cv-00060-GMS
Document 31
Filed 08/21/2007
Page 3 of 6
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE ) ) Plaintiff, ) ) v. ) ) BRETT J. CORMICK and ELAN SUISSE ) INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS (USA) ) LLC, ) ) Defendants. ) ____________________________________) ELAN SUISSE, LTD., ) ) Plaintiff, ) ) v. ) ) ROBERT D. CHRIST, ) ) Defendant. ) ____________________________________) ROBERT D. CHRIST,
C.A. No. 06-275-GMS
C.A. No. 07-60-GMS
ORDER WHEREAS, the parties have stipulated that the claims of Brett J. Cormick, defendant/counterclaim plaintiff in Civil Action No. 06-264, for false imprisonment and intentional infliction of emotional distress are to be governed by Zimbabwe law, and that Mr. Cormick's claim under the federal Alien Tort Claims Act statute is governed by the law of nations; and WHEREAS, the parties disagree as to what law governs the balance of the claims; and WHEREAS, the Court has reviewed and considered the submissions of the parties regarding the applicable law.
Case 1:07-cv-00060-GMS
Document 31
Filed 08/21/2007
Page 4 of 6
NOW, THEREFORE, on this _____ day of ______________, 2007, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT: 1. 2. 3. 4. Mr. Christ's promissory estoppel claim is governed by South African law; Mr. Christ's breach of contract claim is governed by Zimbabwe law; Mr. Christ's fraud claim is governed by Pennsylvania law; The defamation claims of Mr. Cormick and Elan Suisse, Ltd. are governed by South
African law; and 5. Mr. Cormick's breach of contract law, to the extent it is not governed by Delaware's
Limited Liability Company Act, is governed by Zimbabwe law.
_______________________________________ Sleet, J.
Case 1:07-cv-00060-GMS
Document 31
Filed 08/21/2007
Page 5 of 6
STATEMENT PURSUANT TO LOCAL RULE 7.1.1 I, David L. Finger, hereby certify that I have made a reasonable effort to reach agreement with opposing counsel on the matters set forth within this motion, i.e., the applicable law. The parties were able to agree on some of the claims, but not as to all.
/s/ David L. Finger David L. Finger (DE Bar ID #2556) Finger & Slanina, LLC One Commerce Center 1201 Orange Street, Suite 725 Wilmington, DE 19801-1155 (302) 884-6766
Case 1:07-cv-00060-GMS
Document 31
Filed 08/21/2007
Page 6 of 6
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I, David L. Finger, hereby certify that on this 21st day of August, 2007, I electronically filed the foregoing document with the Clerk of the Court using CM/ECF which will send electronic notification to the following counsel of record:
Thad J. Bracegirdle, Esq. Reed Smith LLP 1201 Market Street, Suite 1500 Wilmington, DE 19801
/s/ David L. Finger David L. Finger (DE Bar ID #2556) Finger & Slanina, LLC One Commerce Center 1201 Orange Street, Suite 725 Wilmington, DE 19801-1155 (302) 884-6766