California Court Skeptical of PAGA Deputy Power in Other Cases

A majority of California Supreme Court justices appeared to oppose during Wednesday oral arguments the idea that a worker — deputized under a unique state law to enforce labor code — should be allowed to intervene in cases that are separate but overlapping with their own.

Associate Justice Joshua P. Groban joined at least three other justices in immediately expressing skepticism that the Private Attorneys General Act of 2004 grants deputized workers that right. Groban said it’s unclear which deputized worker would control the proceedings and the settlement process if another deputy of the state stepped in, and whether one ...