Ford v. Superior Court

In Ford v. Superior Court (1986) 188 Cal. App. 3d 737, 741-742 233 Cal. Rptr. 607, plaintiffs filed an action in the superior court seeking an order restraining the superior court and the clerk of the court from carrying out and executing the judgment which had been entered by the superior court in another case. ( Ford v. Superior Court, supra, 188 Cal. App. 3d at p. 741.) This court held no cause of action was stated. (Ibid.) "Plaintiffs' remedy was by way of intervention in the main case, and, in the event of an adverse decision there, an appeal to this court. (Cal. Const., art. VI, 11.)" ( Id. at p. 742.) Ford elaborated: "One department of the superior court cannot enjoin, restrain, or otherwise interfere with the judicial act of another department of the superior court. Even between superior courts of different counties, having coequal jurisdiction over a matter, the first court of equal dignity to assume and exercise jurisdiction over a matter acquires exclusive jurisdiction. A judgment rendered in one department of the superior court is binding on that matter upon all other departments until such time as the judgment is overturned." ( Ford v. Superior Court, supra, 188 Cal. App. 3d at p. 742.) This is because "appellate jurisdiction to review, revise, or reverse decisions of the superior courts is vested by our Constitution only in the Supreme Court and the courts of appeal. (Cal. Const., art. VI, 11.)" (Ibid.)