Opinion ID: 1381209
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: certiorari was improvidently granted

Text: Under the terms of 12 O.S. 1981 § 952(3) this court may, in its discretion, review a certified interlocutory order which affects a substantial part of the merits of the controversy [emphasis supplied]. The order tendered in this case does not deal with the merits of the pending action but merely with evidentiary matters. The word merits has a well-defined meaning in law. It signifies the real or substantial grounds of action or of defense. Practice, procedure and evidence are not embraced within the term. These are matters dehors the merits. Flick v. Crouch, Okl., 434 P.2d 256, 261 [1967]. The issues before us clearly are outside the merits of the controversy below. If this petition warrants our attention, § 952(3) certiorari for corrective relief in advance of trial should routinely be granted whenever an unfavorable in limine ruling is challenged here as less than perfect.