Opinion ID: 1811017
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: motion to cite respondent with contempt for failure to pay costs and expenses

Text: The judgment of the Complaint Tribunal assessed costs and expenses against Mathis, in addition to imposing a public reprimand. The Bar filed its motion for costs and expenses, to which Mathis filed no response or objection. The Tribunal thereafter entered an order awarding costs and expenses, ordering Mathis to pay the Bar the sum of $499.95 by October 30, 1990. On October 19, 1990, the Bar filed its notice of appeal of the Tribunal's judgment. Mathis then filed a motion to stay proceeding to enforce judgment, including the payment of expenses assessed, which was denied by this Court on November 28, 1990. On October 31, Mathis filed his notice of cross-appeal. The Bar responded with a motion to dismiss Mathis' cross-appeal for his failure to pay costs and expenses. This motion was granted on February 20, 1991, by this Court, assessing all costs of the cross-appeal against Mathis. The Bar now asks that Mathis be held in contempt for failure to pay the costs and expenses assessed and ordered by the Complaint Tribunal. Mathis contends that the Bar seeks to have this Court enforce the same judgment of the Tribunal which they are appealing; that the Rules of Discipline for the Mississippi Bar do not provide for enforcement of payment of costs and expenses by contempt; and that costs and expenses should be enforceable as in any other judgment, i.e., upon conclusion of this appeal. The Rules of Discipline provide for taking an appeal as follows: Any notice of appeal shall be filed and served on all opposing counsel within thirty (30) days of the date on which the Tribunal's judgment was filed with the Clerk of the Court and by paying within that time, all sums assessed as costs and expenses. Failure to give notice within that time or failure to pay the costs and expenses assessed, or failure to pay any costs due the Clerk of Court, shall be grounds for dismissal, notice and payment within the time provided being jurisdictional for any appeal. Otherwise, appeals shall be taken as in other civil cases. Rules of Discipline, 9.2 (1992). These Rules further state: No private reprimand shall issue within thirty (30) days provided for taking an appeal or until the Court has disposed of any appeal. Judgment of public reprimand, suspension or disbarment shall, immediately become a matter of public record, but an appeal duly perfected, as provided above shall operate as supersedeas except for making public the imposition of such public discipline... . Rules of Discipline, 9.3 (1992). Rule 27 provides: (a) A Tribunal or the Court may assess costs incurred in the investigation, prosecution and defense of any disciplinary matter as justice may require. (b) An attorney exonerated of the charges may recover from the Bar any sums actually paid to the Bar and costs paid to the Clerk of the Court or for service of process in this State. Rules of Discipline, 27(a) and (b) (1992). Although somewhat troubling, the language of the Rules shows that filing an appeal does not act as supersedeas for payment of costs and expenses. However, careful consideration of these rules leads the Court to the conclusion that dismissal is the only consequence contemplated for failure to pay costs and expenses. Mathis has already been punished as provided in Rule 9.2 with the dismissal of his cross-appeal. Therefore, the motion to cite for contempt is denied.