Opinion ID: 2150112
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Writs and Jurisdictional Conflicts

Text: Original actions are viewed with disfavor, and we do not grant writs of mandamus and prohibition where there is an adequate remedy through the appellate process. Ind.Original Actions Rule 2(E); e.g., State ex rel. Janesville Auto Transp. Co. v. Superior Court (1979), 270 Ind. 584, 387 N.E.2d 1330. Article VII, section 4 of the Indiana Constitution, however, authorizes this Court to supervise the jurisdiction of the state's other courts, and we will entertain original actions to resolve jurisdictional conflicts. Ind.Appellate Rule 4(A)(5); Orig.Act.R. 1(A); see State ex rel. International Harvester Co. v. Allen Circuit Court (1976), 265 Ind. 175, 352 N.E.2d 487. The conflict in this case between the Superior Court's authority to issue a protective order against Meade and the Circuit Court's continuing authority over Meade's visitation warrants our attention. When an action is pending before a court of competent jurisdiction, other courts must defer to that court's extant authority over the case. Courts observe this deference in the interests of fairness to litigants, comity between and among the courts of this state, and judicial efficiency. E.g., State ex rel. Ferger v. Circuit Court (1949), 227 Ind. 212, 84 N.E.2d 585. This principle is implemented by Trial Rule 12(B)(2), which allows a party to move for dismissal on the grounds that the same action is pending in another Indiana court. This rule applies where the parties, subject matter, and remedies of the competing actions are precisely the same, and it also applies when they are only substantially the same. See International Harvester Co., 265 Ind. at 178-79, 352 N.E.2d at 489-90.