Source: http://alabamaappellatewatch.com/?m=200909
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 16:37:11+00:00

Document:
While Lambert v. Mazer Discount Home Centers, Inc. does not implicate any civil litigation appellate issues, it is worth noting as it presents only the second time that an Alabama appellate court has considered the merits of a claim brought under the AADEA. The full opinion is available here.
In Myers v. Harris, released September 25, 2009 by the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals, the court discussed the standard of review applicable to an order dismissing an action due to the plaintiff’s failure to comply with the rules governing discovery.
Sutton v. King, Attorney General, et al.
Lanbert v. Mazer Discount Home Centers, Inc.
The Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology v. Richardson, Psy.D.
Northingtom et al. v. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources et al.
Doster Construction Company, Inc. v. Marathon Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Wachovia Bank, N.A. v. Jones, Norrison & Womack, P.C., et al.
In Allen v. Barksdale, [Ms. 1080242] (Ala. Sept. 18, 2009), the Alabama Supreme Court held that certain prison records, including incident reports, are subject to the Open Records Act and had to be disclosed to plaintiffs. The Department of Corrections argued that the records were part of the inmate’s personal files and not subject to the Act. In an interesting opinion, the Court ultimately held that the records had to be disclosed, stating "[c]itizens are entitled to information regarding the affairs of their government." Slip Op. p. 23.
In Ex parte Folmar Kenner, LLC [Ms. 1070824] (Ala. Sept. 18, 2009), the Alabama Supreme Court held that it was within the trial court’s discretion to dismiss a parties counterclaims, with prejudice, during trial when a party did not follow the court’s instructions to just answer the questions asked and to not elaborate on her answers.
The Supreme Court sue sponte dismissed the appeal in Jean v. Jean, [Ms. 1080989] (Ala. Sept. 18, 2009), because the underlying judgment was void. The underlying dispute was a will contest originally brought in probate court, which was transferred to the circuit court. The plaintiff amended the will contest to also bring claims for breach of contract and negligence. But a will contest originally brought in probate court, even if transferred to circuit court, can only address issues relating to the validity of the will. Slip Op. p. 5. The court is without jurisdiction to consider other issues. Slip Op. p. 6. Because the trial court did not have jurisdiction to enter the judgment, the judgment was void. A void judgment will not support an appeal, so the appeal was dismissed.
The Court of Civil Appeals dismissed an appeal for lack of standing in G.P. v. Houston County D.H.R., [Ms. 2080591, 2080606] (Ala. Civ. App. Sept. 18. 2009). The maternal grandmother appealed the termination of parental rights of the parents. The Court of Civil Appeals held that a grandparent has no legally protected parental rights, and cannot assert arguments on behalf of the parents. Therefore, the grandmother did not have standing to appeal, and her appeal was dismissed.

References: v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v.