STATE EX REL. F. D. BEEDE v. RICHARD M. FUNCK AND ANOTHER

Minnesota Supreme Court1941-07-25No. No. 32,979

211 Minn. 27

Summary · law.co

Holding. The court discharged the writ of prohibition and remanded to the trial court, holding that because an adequate remedy by appeal was available to the defendant, a writ of prohibition was not the proper vehicle for challenging the trial court's order vacating the dismissal, even though the trial court likely erred in granting the motion outside the statutory time period.

A defendant sought a writ of prohibition to prevent further proceedings in a contract collection action. The underlying case had been dismissed in October 1939 due to lack of personal jurisdiction over the defendant. However, eighteen months later in April 1941, the trial court granted the plaintiff's motion to amend the proof of service to show substituted service and vacated the dismissal order, effectively reviving the action. The defendant argued that the court had lost jurisdiction to disturb the October 1939 dismissal order after such a lengthy delay.

The court acknowledged that the trial court likely erred in granting the motion to vacate, as it was filed well beyond the time permitted by statute. However, the court refused to issue a writ of prohibition because the defendant had an adequate alternative remedy available through appeal. The court explained that when a party can challenge a jurisdictional issue through normal appellate review, prohibition is not the appropriate remedy, even if the trial court's action was erroneous or potentially beyond its jurisdiction.

Summary generated by law.co from the public-domain opinion. The opinion text itself is public domain.

Key issues

Whether a writ of prohibition is proper when an alternative remedy by appeal is available
Whether a trial court retains jurisdiction to vacate a dismissal order long after entry
The timeliness of motions to vacate orders under statutory requirements

Procedural posture

The case reached the appellate court on an alternative writ of prohibition seeking to stay proceedings in the trial court after the trial court vacated its prior dismissal order and revived the collection action.

Authorities cited

No cited authorities resolved to law.co cases yet.

Opinion · public domain

majority opinion

Stone, Justice.

This matter is here on our alternative writ of prohibition staying further proceedings pending below.

The action seeks recovery of the balance due on a conditional sale contract. It was begun August 7, 1939. For default of answer, judgment was entered against defendant. But, upon order to show cause, that judgment ivas set aside for lack of jurisdiction. Later, on motion and order, October 9, 1939, the summons and complaint were set aside and the action dismissed. The proof of service averred personal service, and defendant showed that he had never been personally served.

Such was the posture of the case when, 18 months later, March 18, 1941, plaintiff moved to amend the proof of service to show substituted service. By order of April 30, 1941, the motion was granted, and the order of October 9, 1939, was vacated.

Defendant is the petitioner here. His contention was and is that by reason of the 18 months delay the court lost jurisdiction to disturb the dismissing order of October 9. He makes a strong case of error, but has mistaken his remedy. As stated by this court, speaking through Mr. Chief Justice Gilfillan, “where the party may raise the question of want of jurisdiction over the person in the court in which the action is brought, and have a review of its decision by this court, upon appeal, that is his proper remedy.” State ex rel. Eau Claire Dells Imp. Co. v. District Court, 26 Minn 233, 235, 2 N. W. 698, 699.

The order of October 9 was appealable. So also is the belated order of April 30, 1941, vacating the former order. Mason St. 1927, § 9498(3); Rogers v. Greenwood, 14 Minn. 256 (333); Peoples Ice Co. v. Schlenker, 50 Minn. 1, 52 N. W. 219; Rishmiller v. Denver & R. G. R. Co. 134 Minn. 261, 159 N. W. 272; Picciano v. D. M. & N. Ry. Co. 102 Minn. 21, 112 N. W. 885. The latest order below and occasion for our alternative writ was one in effect for the revival of the action. The general rule is that “an order granting or denying the right to revive an action is a final decision and hence reviewable” by appeal. 2 Am. Jur., Appeal and Error, § 92.

Where there is an adequate remedy by appeal, a writ of prohibition will not be granted. 5 Dunnell, Dig. § 7842; State ex rel. Lasher v. Municipal Court, 26 Minn. 162, 2 N. W. 166. Compare State ex rel. Byram v. Johnson, 173 Minn. 271, 217 N. W. 351. The remedy by appeal is adequate. The fact that it may be less summary and more expensive does not ipso facto render appeal inadequate. State ex rel. Ean Claire Dells Imp. Co. v. District Court, 26 Minn. 233, 2 N. W. 698. Compare State ex rel. Minnesota Nat. Bank v. District Court, 195 Minn. 169, 262 N. W. 155.

The record is clear that the application to vacate the order of October 9, 1939, was made after the time Avitliin Avhich such an application Avas permitted by Mason St. 1927, § 9283, and the court erred in granting the application. AVe need not- consider Avhether this order Avas beyond the jurisdiction of the court or merely erroneous. There Avas an adequate and expeditious remedy by appeal, and under the circumstances here involved our discretion should not be exercised to issue a Avrit of prohibition even if there be a total .lack of jurisdiction. Doubtless, Avhen the trial court’s attention is invited to our vieAvs on its order of April 30, 1941, it will upon application reconsider its action.

AVrit discharged with leave to the petitioner to apply to the trial court for reconsideration of the order of April 30, 1941.

So ordered.