Marie Cassano v. Princess Cruise Lines Ltd. et al.

Summary

The United States District Court for the Central District of California ordered the plaintiff to show cause why the action should not be dismissed for lack of prosecution. The order states that the defendant had not answered the complaint and directs the plaintiff to seek entry of default or dismiss the complaint by January 23, 2026.

Holdings

1. A federal district court has inherent authority to dismiss an action for lack of prosecution on its own motion and may require the plaintiff to show cause why dismissal should not occur.
2. Because the defendant had not answered, the plaintiff could satisfy the order to show cause by seeking entry of default under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 55(a) or by dismissing the complaint.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the court may sua sponte require the plaintiff to show cause why the action should not be dismissed for lack of prosecution.
2. Whether the plaintiff's failure to seek entry of default after the defendant failed to answer warranted an order requiring the plaintiff either to seek default or dismiss the complaint.

Disposition

other