Opinion ID: 2001111
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: on appellees' motion to dismiss

Text: These causes were consolidated in this Court upon petition of the Appellant and its representation that the factual situation as to the record is substantially the same in each cause, that the questions of law to be presented for review are similar or identical and that it would be more convenient to deal with these causes as a single matter. At no point in either the Brief of Appellant or in its Brief in Opposition to Motion to Dismiss or Affirm is there any allegation that the facts are sufficiently different so as to warrant a separate treatment of any of the cases consolidated herein. Thus, this opinion shall apply to all of the cases herein consolidated. Appellant commenced the action for condemnation against the Appellees separately on or about April 13, 1959, and the Shelby Circuit Court appointed appraisers on or about July 16, 1959. The appraisers award was returned and paid into court by the State. The State filed its exceptions to appraisers' report on July 29, 1959 and thereafter the award was withdrawn by the landowners. From 1959 until July of 1968, a period of approximately nine (9) years, there was no action of any kind made a matter of record in these cases. On July 13, 1968, a trial date was fixed; said trial date was reset for December 23, 1968 and that trial date was passed apparently without any action or appearance of any kind by the State with reference to such trial. The only local counsel to appear for the State withdrew his appearance on November 13, 1969. No other appearance was made and no action taken until October 15, 1970, at which time the landowners filed in the trial court their verified motion to dismiss under TR. 41(E), IC 1971, 34-5-1-1. That rule provides: (E) Failure to prosecute civil actions or comply with rules. Whenever there has been a failure to comply with these rules or when no action has been taken in a civil case for a period of sixty (60) days, the court, on motion of a party or on its own motion shall order a hearing for the purpose of dismissing such case. The court shall enter an order of dismissal at plaintiff's costs if the plaintiff shall not show sufficient causes at or before such hearing. Dismissal may be withheld or reinstatement of dismissal may be made subject to the condition that the plaintiff comply with these rules and diligently prosecute the action and upon such terms that the court in its discretion determines to be necessary to assure such diligent prosecution. The trial court then issued a rule to show cause against the State, returnable October 28, 1970 at which time a hearing was held and that court entered a simple judgment of dismissal on November 4, 1970. On January 4, 1971 (a Monday and the sixty-first day after the entry of dismissal) the State filed its Motion to Correct Errors. Thereafter on February 3, 1971, the Shelby Circuit Court entered Special Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Judgment as follows: