Opinion ID: 2106725
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: trial court ruling on the jurisdictional issue

Text: A bench trial took place on October 6, 1992. At the conclusion of the trial, Judge Rufus King addressed the jurisdictional issue of whether the case should be heard by the Civil Division. He stated that: The divisions between the branches of this court are not jurisdictional, but are administrative, and so the remedy for an action brought in the wrong division is [to transfer it] to another division or typically it is done  administratively, a counterclaim is not allowed in this branch.... without prejudice to bringing in another branch even though under the rules it would otherwise be a compulsory counterclaim. In this case, I view the entire matter as before the Court in this matter, i.e. the claim for possession and back interest and other payments under the contract by the plaintiff, and the claim of setoff or counterclaim for breach of contract.