Opinion ID: 1344889
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: the defense of laches

Text: ¶ 9 Mandamus is a special proceeding addressing itself to the equity powers and conscience of a court or judge for the enforcement of a clear legal right for which the law provides no adequate remedy. State ex rel. Westerheide v. Shilling, 190 Okla. 305, 123 P.2d 674, 679 (Okla.1942). There is no statute of limitations as such to mandamus, Stephenson v. Bonney, 202 Okla. 549, 216 P.2d 315, 318 (Okla.1950), but mandamus will not issue when barred by laches. Young v. Kirk, 1955 OK 177, 292 P.2d 1009, 1011-1012. We have, however, applied statutes of limitations to mandamus proceedings by analogy where there is an applicable statute of limitations for a legal proceeding involving a similar cause of action, which thus governs the applicability of laches. Hutchman v. Parkinson, 199 Okla. 494, 187 P.2d 999, 1002 (Okla.1947); Board of Education v. Johnston, 189 Okla. 172, 115 P.2d 132, 133 (Okla. 1941). This application is consistent with our opinions explaining that in an equitable proceeding no strict application of limitations will occur, but a court may, by analogy, apply in such a proceeding the limitations period for a similar legal action. See, e.g., Baker v. Massey, 1977 OK 170, n. 12, 569 P.2d 987, 992. ¶ 10 Laches is an equitable defense to stale claims. B & M Intern. Trading Co. v. Woodie Ayers Chevrolet, Inc., 1988 OK 133, ¶¶ 9-10, 765 P.2d 782, 783. It is an affirmative defense whereby the person relying on it has the burden of proof. Sooner Federal Savings & Loan v. Smoot, 1995 OK 31, ¶ 21, 894 P.2d 1082, 1090. The statute of limitations is also an affirmative defense, Red Eagle v. Free, 191 Okla. 385, 130 P.2d 308, 311 (Okla.1942). Affirmative defenses such as laches and statutes of limitation must be raised by the parties or are waived. Furr v. Thomas, 1991 OK 93, ¶ 23, 817 P.2d 1268, 1272. ¶ 11 We have reviewed the pleadings in the trial court, together with the transcribed statements and arguments of counsel. We do not find any reference to the defense of laches or to a time-bar by any other name. The first time it is raised as a defense is in Respondent's brief on appeal. Matters not first presented to the trial court for resolution are generally not considered on appeal. Steiger v. City National Bank, 1967 OK 41, 424 P.2d 69, 72. This is particularly true as to affirmative defenses not raised below. See Reddell v. Johnson, 1997 OK 86, 942 P.2d 200, 202, 203, (appellate court could not raise for first time the statute of limitations.) In the event the eleven month delay in filing suit might have been a defense, we deem it waived at this point, and move on.