Opinion ID: 1225460
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Motion on Depositions

Text: By his motion filed on May 11, 1978, respondent moved the Court to set a schedule for the taking of depositions in this case. In paragraph XIII of respondent's First Defense in his Answer he avers that the taking of evidence on numerous issues will be necessary for the proper disposition of this case. On May 12, 1978, counsel for relators filed The Opposition of Petitioners to Respondent's Motion that the Court Set a Schedule for the Taking of Depositions, asserting that the case presents no disputes of material fact, the only issues raised by the Respondent's denials and affirmative allegations, if admitted, being immaterial and peripheral to the gravamen of the petition and therefore having no potential effect upon the relief sought. On the other hand, in his motion, respondent expressed the belief that the taking of evidence is essential for respondent to properly develop the defenses raised in his answer and filed, on May 17, 1978, his Reply to relators' Opposition, stating his position. By order of May 17, 1978, the Court, reserving unto itself the questions of the materiality and admissibility of the evidence to be derived from the taking of such depositions, is of opinion that counsel should be permitted to develop the issues which they deem pertinent and does hereby grant said motion to fix a schedule for the taking of depositions. The schedule was accordingly set in the order, and counsel were permitted to proceed with the contemplated depositions. We have reviewed the entire record in this litigation and have carefully considered the oral and written arguments of counsel for the respective parties. We have given studied attention to the facts asserted in relators' petition and to the defenses interposed by respondent. Many incidental issues raised in the record are without substance and provide no bases for determination of the basic and controlling issue to be decided by the Court. Diligent examination of the record discloses no lack of adequate and substantial factual development for disposition of the case apart from the evidence adduced and presented by way of depositions. Relators filed their Demurrer and Reply to respondent's Answer. Rule 81(a)(5), Rules of Civil Procedure; Wilson v. County Court of Logan County, 150 W.Va. 544, 148 S.E.2d 353 (1966).