Case Name: CROWN TRADING COMPANY, Appellant, v. SYSTEMS FOR SECURITY, INC., Appellee
Court: Florida District Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction: Florida
Decision Date: 1981-06-16
Citations: 400 So. 2d 110
Docket Number: No. 80-677
Parties: CROWN TRADING COMPANY, Appellant, v. SYSTEMS FOR SECURITY, INC., Appellee.
Judges: Before HENDRY, NESBITT and BAS-KIN, JJ.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 400
Pages: 110–110

Head Matter:
CROWN TRADING COMPANY, Appellant, v. SYSTEMS FOR SECURITY, INC., Appellee.
No. 80-677.
District Court of Appeal of Florida, Third District.
June 16, 1981.
Rehearing Denied July 10, 1981.
Carey, Dwyer, Cole, Selwood & Bernard and Michael C. Spring, Steven R. Berger, Miami, for appellant.
George, Hartz & McNary and Scott McNary, Miami, for appellee.
Before HENDRY, NESBITT and BAS-KIN, JJ.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM.
We reverse on the ground that dismissal of the suit for failure of plaintiff's counsel to proceed with trial at the scheduled time imposes too harsh a penalty upon the litigant where said counsel moved for a continuance on the basis of a conflicting trial, and the record lacks any evidence showing a willful or blatant disregard for the court's authority. The court may, of course, discipline the offending attorney by contempt or other appropriate punishment. Catogas v. Sapp, 397 So.2d 1182 (Fla. 3d DCA 1981); Alter v. Editorial Planeta, S.A., 389 So.2d 321 (Fla. 3d DCA 1980).
Reversed and remanded.