Opinion ID: 894863
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: AnalysisWaiver

Text: Plaintiff CLECs contend that mandamus relief is not warranted in this case because Southwestern Bell (1) waited too long to seek a hearing on primary jurisdiction, and (2) waited too long before pursuing mandamus relief after the trial court refused to abate the case. Plaintiffs rely primarily on Rivercenter Assocs. v. Rivera, 858 S.W.2d 366, 367 (Tex.1993). In Rivercenter, we held that [a]lthough mandamus is not an equitable remedy, its issuance is largely controlled by equitable principles, and one such principle is that `[e]quity aids the diligent and not those who slumber on their rights.' Id. (quoting Callahan v. Giles, 137 Tex. 571, 155 S.W.2d 793, 795 (1941)). In that case, Rivercenter sought mandamus relief to quash a jury trial demand because the parties had contractually agreed to waive a jury. We held that relief was not appropriate when Rivercenter was sent notice on the day the jury demand was filed, yet for no apparent reason delayed filing its motion to quash for over four months. We disagree for two reasons. First, the record in this case does not reflect unexplained delay in asserting the primary jurisdiction issue. Southwestern Bell raised the issue in federal court, then raised it again in the state trial court on April 25, 2003less than a month after the federal court remanded the case. Second, the CLECs do not contend that Southwestern Bell substantially invoked the litigation process to the CLECs' prejudice. In re Vesta Ins. Group, Inc., 192 S.W.3d 759, 763 (Tex.2006). And, delay alone does not generally establish waiver. Id. Southwestern Bell filed, on September 13, 2004, its separate motion for summary judgment, or in the alternative, motion to defer to the PUC based on primary jurisdiction. [4] The trial court heard argument on the motion on December 2, 2004 and orally denied it at that time. The trial court entered a written order on April 18, 2005. Southwestern Bell filed its petition for writ of mandamus in the court of appeals less than one month later. These facts do not present a situation in which Southwestern Bell failed to timely assert the issue of primary jurisdiction or is barred by prejudicial delay from asserting that the PUC has primary jurisdiction. See id. To the contrary, Southwestern Bell raised the issue of primary jurisdiction promptly, sought a hearing within the timeframe set by the scheduling order, and sought mandamus relief soon after its motion was denied.