Case Title: Ex Parte Scott

Citation: 414 So. 2d 939

Docket Number: 

State: alabama

Court: Alabama Supreme Court

Date: 1982-05-28T00:00:00Z

Document:
414 So. 2d 939 (1982)
Ex parte Dorothy Mae SCOTT
(In re Dorothy Mae SCOTT v. Martin L. LANE, et al.)
81-506.

Supreme Court of Alabama.
May 28, 1982.
*940 Douglas Inge Johnstone, Mobile, for petitioner.
Bert S. Nettles of Nettles, Barker & Janecky, and Frank B. McRight of McRight, Rowe & Stewart, Mobile, for respondents.
ALMON, Justice.
Dorothy Mae Scott petitions this Court for a writ of mandamus to compel the Honorable Elwood L. Hogan, Judge of the Circuit Court of Mobile County, to vacate a protective order issued by him and to allow the petitioner to proceed under the rules of discovery.
This controversy arose from a suit filed by petitioner on August 14, 1980, against the other respondents herein, for the wrongful termination of her employment. On February 13, 1981, the trial judge issued a protective order staying the taking of depositions. On March 11, 1981, the trial judge granted a motion to dismiss the petitioner's complaint on the ground that it failed to state a claim upon which relief could be granted. This latter decision was reversed on appeal. Scott v. Lane, 409 So. 2d 791 (Ala.1982). After remand, the petitioner, for the second time, noticed the taking of depositions of the defendants, who are the other respondents in the instant proceeding. On March 10, 1982, the trial judge again granted a protective order.
The answer to the petition for mandamus contains the following:
Petitioner's response to the answer is that the evidence she seeks is relevant, necessary and not privileged. Respondents' claim that discovery in the instant case would have harmful side effects in the two malpractice cases pending against them is not a sufficient showing to entitle them to the protective order. Petitioner further states that the mere fact that the respondents anticipated some difficulty in defending both suits is not an undue burden upon them as contemplated by Rule 26(c), A.R. C.P.
Recognizing that the right to discovery is not unlimited and the trial court has broad powers to control discovery to prevent its abuse, nevertheless, the party who seeks a protective order has the burden of showing good cause why discovery should not be had.
Assured Investors Life Insurance Co. v. National Union Associates, Inc., 362 So. 2d 228 (Ala.1978).
There are no assertions in the motions for a protective order that would amount to a showing of good cause. In essence the defendants claim: (1) there are two other proceedings pending in which the same or similar issues may be involved; (2) the present action will not be brought to trial for a long time anyway; and (3) they would be unduly prejudiced in the other two actions by allowing discovery in this action. While undue prejudice was alleged, it was not proven. Mere difficulty in developing trial strategy is insufficient. We do not think these assertions indicate annoyance, embarrassment or oppression or show undue burden or expense as required by Rule 26(c), A.R.C.P. Hence, to grant a protective order on the grounds asserted by the defendants is an abuse of discretion.
Due to the similarity of the Alabama and Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, a presumption arises that cases construing the Federal Rules are authority for construction of the Alabama Rules. Ex parte Rice, 265 Ala. 454, 92 So. 2d 16 (1957). See also, Ex parte Huguley Water System, 282 Ala. 633, 213 So. 2d 799 (1968); and Smith v. Flynn, 275 Ala. 392, 155 So. 2d 497 (1963).
In Salter v. Upjohn Company, 593 F.2d 649 (5th Cir. 1979), the trial judge denied the plaintiff's request to depose the president of Upjohn Company. The Fifth Circuit, in reviewing the trial judge's decision stated:
Here, not only has there been a denial of the taking of a deposition, but the denial of discovery altogether or at least a total postponement. There may be instances where the complete denial of discovery is justified, but based on the record before us, this is not such a case.
WRIT GRANTED.
TORBERT, C. J., and FAULKNER, EMBRY and ADAMS, JJ., concur.