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Case TitleJUDICIAL WATCH, INC. v. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DistrictDistrict of Columbia
CityWashington, DC
Case Number1:2019cv00572
Date Filed2019-03-01
Date Closed2020-08-24
JudgeJudge Christopher R. Cooper
PlaintiffJUDICIAL WATCH, INC.
Case DescriptionJudicial Watch submitted a FOIA request to the FBI for records concerning communications between the agency and former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele or his company Orbus Business Intelligence. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request, but after hearing nothing further from the agency, Judicial Watch filed suit.
Complaint issues: Failure to respond within statutory time limit, Adequacy - Search, Litigation - Vaughn index, Litigation - Attorney's fees

DefendantU.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
Complaint attachment 2
Complaint attachment 3
Complaint attachment 4
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text

2019-03-011COMPLAINT against U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number 0090-5975341) filed by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons US Attorney, # 3 Summons U.S. Attorney General, # 4 Summons U.S. Department of Justice)(Peterson, James) (Entered: 03/01/2019)
2019-03-012LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC. (Peterson, James) (Entered: 03/01/2019)
2019-03-013NOTICE OF RELATED CASE by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. Case related to Case No. 17-916. (Peterson, James) (Entered: 03/01/2019)
2019-03-01Case Assigned to Judge Christopher R. Cooper. (zef, ) (Entered: 03/01/2019)
2019-03-014SUMMONS (3) Issued Electronically as to U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General. (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zef, ) (Entered: 03/01/2019)
2019-03-085RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 3/8/2019. ( Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 4/7/2019.), RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 3/8/2019., RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE served on 3/8/2019 (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Cristina Rotaru)(Peterson, James) (Entered: 03/08/2019)
2019-04-086NOTICE of Appearance by James O. Bickford on behalf of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Bickford, James) (Entered: 04/08/2019)
2019-04-087ANSWER to Complaint by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.(Bickford, James) (Entered: 04/08/2019)
2019-04-09MINUTE ORDER: Before the Court in this FOIA case are a complaint and an answer. It is hereby ORDERED that the parties promptly confer and file a joint proposed schedule for briefing or disclosure by April 23, 2019. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 4/9/2019. (lccrc1) (Entered: 04/09/2019)
2019-04-09Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Proposed Briefing Schedule due by 4/23/2019. (znbn) (Entered: 04/09/2019)
2019-04-238JOINT PROPOSED SCHEDULE Proposing Schedule by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Bickford, James) Modified event title on 4/25/2019 (znmw). (Entered: 04/23/2019)
2019-04-25MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' 8 Joint Proposed Schedule, it is hereby ORDERED that the Defendant shall provide its response to the FOIA request at issue by May 17, 2019. It is further ORDERED that the parties shall file a proposed schedule for further proceedings by June 5, 2019. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 4/25/2019. (lccrc1) (Entered: 04/25/2019)
2019-04-25Set/Reset Deadlines: Responses due by 5/17/2019. Proposed Briefing Schedule due by 6/5/2019. (lsj) (Entered: 04/25/2019)
2019-06-059Joint STATUS REPORT and Proposed Briefing Schedule by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Bickford, James) (Entered: 06/05/2019)
2019-06-0510PROPOSED BRIEFING SCHEDULE by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (ztd); (See docket entry no. 9 to view.) (Entered: 06/06/2019)
2019-07-25VACATED PURSUANT TO MINUTE ORDER ENTERED 9/9/2019.....MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' 9 joint status report and proposed briefing schedule, it is hereby ORDERED that summary judgment briefing shall proceed as follows: Defendant's motion for summary judgment shall be filed by September 9, 2019; Plaintiff's opposition and cross-motion for summary judgment shall be filed by October 14, 2019; Defendant's opposition and reply shall be filed by November 11, 2019; and Plaintiff's reply shall be filed by December 2, 2019. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 7/25/2019. (lccrc1) Modified on 9/9/2019 (zlsj). (Entered: 07/25/2019)
2019-07-25Set/Reset Deadlines: Summary Judgment motions due by 9/9/2019. Response to Motion for Summary Judgment due by 10/14/2019. Reply to Motion for Summary Judgment due by 11/11/2019. Replies due by 12/2/2019. (lsj) (Entered: 07/25/2019)
2019-09-0511Consent MOTION to Vacate Briefing Schedule , Consent MOTION for Leave to File Joint Status Report by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Bickford, James) (Entered: 09/05/2019)
2019-09-09MINUTE ORDER granting 11 Motion to Vacate the Briefing Schedule and granting 11 Motion for Leave to File. The parties are ORDERED to file a joint status report proposing a schedule for further proceedings on or before October 15, 2019. In their joint status report, the parties are instructed to address whether Judicial Watch v. Department of Justice, No. 19-cv-572 (CRC) should be consolidated with Judicial Watch v. Department of Justice, No. 17-cv-916 (CRC). Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 9/9/19. (lccrc1) (Entered: 09/09/2019)
2019-09-09Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 10/15/2019 (lsj) (Entered: 09/09/2019)
2019-10-1512Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. (Bickford, James) (Entered: 10/15/2019)
2019-10-23MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' 12 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that cases 19-cv-572 and 17-cv-916 are CONSOLIDATED pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 42(a). All future filings in these cases shall be made on the docket of case 17-cv-916. The parties are further ORDERED to file a joint status report proposing a summary judgment briefing schedule, if necessary, by December 6, 2019. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 10/23/19. (lccrc1) (Entered: 10/23/2019)
2019-10-23Cases associated. Pursuant to Minute Order filed 10/23/19, 19-cv-572 and 17-cv-916 are CONSOLIDATED pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 42(a). All future filings in these cases shall be made on the docket of case 17-cv-916. The parties are advised NOT to select the SPREAD TEXT option when filing in ECF, as this will result in repetitive docketing and emails. (ztd) (Entered: 10/24/2019)
2019-12-12MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' 45 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report by December 20, 2019. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 12/12/19. Associated Cases: 1:17-cv-00916-CRC, 1:19-cv-00572-CRC. (lccrc1) (Entered: 12/12/2019)
2019-12-13Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 12/20/2019 (lsj) (Entered: 12/13/2019)
2019-12-26Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings: Joint Status Report due by 1/24/2020. Telephone Conference set for 1/27/2020 at 2:00 PM before Judge Christopher R. Cooper. (lsj) (Entered: 12/26/2019)
2020-02-0713Joint STATUS REPORT by JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.. Associated Cases: 1:17-cv-00916-CRC, 1:19-cv-00572-CRC(Peterson, James) (Entered: 02/07/2020)
2020-02-10MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' 48 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report by March 5, 2020. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 2/10/2020. Associated Cases: 1:17-cv-00916-CRC, 1:19-cv-00572-CRC (lccrc1). (Entered: 02/10/2020)
2020-02-11Set/Reset Deadlines: Joint Status Report due by 3/5/2020 (lsj) (Entered: 02/11/2020)
2020-03-10MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' 49 Joint Status Report, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall file a further joint status report by April 3, 2020. If the parties have not reached an agreement on attorneys' fees by that time, the report shall include a proposed briefing schedule on that issue commencing within 30 days. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 3/10/2020. Associated Cases: 1:17-cv-00916-CRC, 1:19-cv-00572-CRC (lccrc1) (Entered: 03/10/2020)
2020-03-10Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 4/3/2020 Associated Cases: 1:17-cv-00916-CRC, 1:19-cv-00572-CRC(nbn) (Entered: 03/11/2020)
2020-04-06MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' 50 Joint Status Report, the Court orders that, in the event that the parties are unable to resolve the matter between themselves, briefing for Plaintiff's motion for attorneys' fees shall proceed as follows: Plaintiff's Motion for Fees shall be filed on May 1, 2020; Defendant's Opposition shall be filed on May 22, 2020; and Plaintiff's Reply shall be filed by June 5, 2020. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 4/6/2020. Associated Cases: 1:17-cv-00916-CRC, 1:19-cv-00572-CRC. (lccrc1) (Entered: 04/06/2020)
2020-04-30MINUTE ORDER granting (51) Motion to Vacate: Having considered 51 Plaintiff's joint motion to vacate briefing schedule on the issue ofattorneys fees in this case, the briefing schedule is VACATED and the parties are ORDERED to file a joint status report on or before June 1, 2020, if the parties have not stipulated to the dismissal of the case by then. SO ORDERED. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 4/30/20. Associated Cases: 1:17-cv-00916-CRC, 1:19-cv-00572-CRC. (lccrc1) (Entered: 04/30/2020)
2020-06-03MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' 52 Joint Status Report, the Court ORDERS the parties to file a further status report by June 15, 2020, if they have not stipulated to the dismissal of this case by then. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 6/3/20. Associated Cases: 1:17-cv-00916-CRC, 1:19-cv-00572-CRC(lccrc1) (Entered: 06/03/2020)
2020-06-03Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 6/15/2020 Associated Cases: 1:17-cv-00916-CRC, 1:19-cv-00572-CRC(lsj) (Entered: 06/03/2020)
2020-06-17MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' 53 Joint Status Report, the Court ORDERS the parties to file a further status report by June 26, 2020, if they have not stipulated to the dismissal of this case by then. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 6/17/20. Associated Cases: 1:17-cv-00916-CRC, 1:19-cv-00572-CRC(lccrc1) (Entered: 06/17/2020)
2020-06-18Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 6/26/2020 (Associated Cases: 1:17-cv-00916-CRC and 1:19-cv-00572-CRC)(lsj) (Entered: 06/18/2020)
2020-06-2614Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. Associated Cases: 1:17-cv-00916-CRC, 1:19-cv-00572-CRC(Bickford, James) (Entered: 06/26/2020)
2020-06-29MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' 54 Joint Status Report, the Court ORDERS the parties to file a further status report by July 10, 2020, if they have not stipulated to the dismissal of this case by then. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 6/29/20. Associated Cases: 1:17-cv-00916-CRC, 1:19-cv-00572-CRC(lccrc1) (Entered: 06/29/2020)
2020-06-29Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 7/10/2020 (Associated Cases: 1:17-cv-00916-CRC and 1:19-cv-00572-CRC)(lsj) (Entered: 06/29/2020)
2020-07-1015Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. Associated Cases: 1:17-cv-00916-CRC, 1:19-cv-00572-CRC(Bickford, James) (Entered: 07/10/2020)
2020-07-14MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' 55 Joint Status Report, the Court ORDERS the parties to file a further status report by August 10, 2020, if they have not stipulated to the dismissal of this case by then. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 7/14/20. Associated Cases: 1:17-cv-00916-CRC, 1:19-cv-00572-CRC(lccrc1) (Entered: 07/14/2020)
2020-07-14Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 8/10/2020 Associated Cases: 1:17-cv-00916-CRC and 1:19-cv-00572-CRC (lsj) (Entered: 07/14/2020)
2020-08-1016Joint STATUS REPORT by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. Associated Cases: 1:17-cv-00916-CRC, 1:19-cv-00572-CRC(Bickford, James) (Entered: 08/10/2020)
2020-08-12MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' 56 Joint Status Report, the Court ORDERS the parties to file a further status report by August 21, 2020, if they have not stipulated to the dismissal of this case by then. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 8/12/20. Associated Cases: 1:17-cv-00916-CRC, 1:19-cv-00572-CRC(lccrc1) (Entered: 08/12/2020)
2020-08-12Set/Reset Deadlines: Status Report due by 8/21/2020 Associated Cases: 1:17-cv-00916-CRC and 1:19-cv-00572-CRC(lsj) (Entered: 08/12/2020)
2020-08-21MINUTE ORDER: In light of the parties' 57 stipulation of dismissal, these cases are hereby DISMISSED with prejudice. Signed by Judge Christopher R. Cooper on 8/21/20. Associated Cases: 1:17-cv-00916-CRC, 1:19-cv-00572-CRC(lccrc1) (Entered: 08/21/2020)
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