Halls Seeks Transfer of Rust Lighting Technician's Suit
First assistant director David Halls and Rust Move Productions ask to move the damages claim to a limited-jurisdiction court.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Accidents
First assistant director David Halls and Rust Move Productions LLC asked Los Angeles Superior Court to transfer a lighting technician's lawsuit over the 2021 Rust shooting to a limited-jurisdiction court. The motion argues the claimed damages fall below the $35,000 threshold required to stay in a non-limited jurisdiction court.
Why it matters
The plaintiff, Serge Svetnoy, alleges emotional distress and diminished earning capacity, but the defendants argue he has no qualifying relationship for a legally cognizable claim tied to Halyna Hutchins' death. The outcome could determine which court hears the case and how much of it proceeds to trial.
The transfer motion is set for a Dec. 4 hearing before Judge Karine Mkrtchyan in Los Angeles Superior Court. The lawsuit's trial is scheduled for March 8, 2027, and the court has not yet ruled on the motion.
The players
Alec Baldwin
The actor was the defendant whose firearm discharged on the Rust set in 2021, and he faced criminal charges later dismissed in New Mexico.
David Halls
The first assistant director on Rust, he is a defendant seeking to move the lawsuit to a limited-jurisdiction court.
The details
Svetnoy filed suit against multiple defendants and later added assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress claims against Alec Baldwin only in an amended complaint. Svetnoy sought no medical treatment, has never been diagnosed with any condition, and takes no prescribed medication. Baldwin's attorneys wrote on Oct. 23 that both clients and Svetnoy expressed a desire to resolve the case before trial.
Timeline
July 2024: A New Mexico judge dismissed the criminal case against Baldwin in mid-trial.
January 2025: Discovery in the civil action began after a prior stay.
Oct. 23: Baldwin's attorneys said the parties wanted to resolve the case before trial.
Dec. 4: Hearing on the transfer motion before Judge Mkrtchyan.
March 8, 2027: Scheduled trial of the lawsuit.
Legal Context
The civil suit follows the July 2024 New Mexico dismissal of the criminal case against Alec Baldwin in mid-trial, which left civil claims as the remaining avenue for accountability. Whether Svetnoy's damages claims can proceed in a non-limited jurisdiction court will shape how far that civil avenue extends.
The ruling will determine which court hears the lawsuit, affecting how quickly the case moves and whether it reaches trial. Residents following the Rust shooting litigation will see whether the claims proceed in Los Angeles Superior Court or a limited-jurisdiction court.
The takeaway
The transfer motion will show whether the civil claims arising from the Rust shooting can proceed in full or are limited by the damages threshold. Readers tracking the case should watch the Dec. 4 hearing for the court's ruling.
What happens next
A hearing on the transfer motion is scheduled for Dec. 4 before Judge Karine Mkrtchyan, and the lawsuit's trial is set for March 8, 2027.
Further reading
For related coverage, see Accidents in the Los Angeles crime section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by My News LA.
