Opinion ID: 1140625
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: did paul o'neill file his appeal in a timely manner?

Text: The appellee Avis O'Neill challenges the timeliness of Paul's appeal, contending that his appeal time ran from the August 28, 1986 date of the interlocutory order setting aside the first sale. The second partition sale was held on October 7, 1986, and on September 15, 1987, the second sale was confirmed and the proceeds of the partition sale distributed on August 28, 1986. Paul gave notice of appeal to the interlocutory decree; additionally he gave a second notice of appeal October 15, 1987, appealing both the final order and the previous interlocutory order. The timeliness issue on this appeal is controlled by M.R.C.P. 54(a), which states that a `judgment' as used in these rules includes a final decree and any order from which an appeal lies. The first question to be answered is whether the first decree of August 28, 1986, was a final decree under M.R.C.P. 54(a), and clearly in this case it was not. The style of the order itself represents that this decree is an interlocutory one, not a final one. No attempt to seek an interlocutory appeal under Mississippi Supreme Court Rule 5 was sought. The final judgment was entered September 15, 1987, and notice of appeal was perfected within thirty (30) days from the date of entry of the final judgment or order. (Mississippi Supreme Court Rule 4). Therefore, the appeal from a final order was timely made. Neither is the appellant precluded from raising an issue regarding the entry of the interlocutory decree on this appeal. This cross-assignment of error is without merit, and concluding so, this Court now considers the other issues.