Opinion ID: 1116618
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: the copiah county circuit court erred when it set aside the original forfeiture order based on its own initiative.

Text: The Copiah County Circuit Court could not on its own accord vacate the original forfeiture order. Rule 55 of the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure states; For good cause shown, the court may set aside an entry of default and if a judgment by default has been entered, may likewise set it aside in accordance with rule 60(b). Id. (emphasis added). In the case at bar the initial forfeiture order was entered on December 16, 1983, and under rule 55(c) could only be set aside through compliance with rule 60(b) [1] of the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure. Relief from a default judgment must be requested by a formal application as required by Rule 60(b). Because the request is for relief from a final disposition of the case, the party in default must take affirmative action to bring the case before the trial court a second time. Miss.R.Civ.P. 55 Comment (emphasis added). Rule 60(b) is available to a party for relief from a final judgment based on: (1) fraud, misrepresentation, or other misconduct of an adverse party; (2) accident or mistake; (3) newly discovered evidence which by due diligence could not have been discovered in time to move for a new trial under Rule 59(b); (4) the judgment is void; (5) the judgment has been satisfied released, or discharged, or a prior judgment which it is based has been reversed or otherwise vacated, or it is no longer equitable that the judgment should have prospective application; (6) any other reason justifying relief from the judgment. Miss.R.Civ.P. 60(b). Upon a motion, made within a reasonable time, and for reasons (1), (2), and (3) not more than six months after judgment, the court may relieve a party for the aforesaid reasons. Id. The procedure for obtaining any relief from a judgment shall be by motion as prescribed by these rules or by an independent action and not otherwise. Id. (emphasis added). No motion was made by any party to vacate the 1983 forfeiture order. Absent a motion or independent action having been brought, the Copiah County Circuit Court was without authority to set aside the forfeiture order. The Copiah County Circuit Court erred in vacating the original forfeiture order on its own initiative.