Opinion ID: 1911149
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: jurisdiction

Text: We first address a procedural issue raised by the defendants. They contend that we lack jurisdiction of the appeal because the plaintiff's new trial motion, and her notice of appeal that followed, were untimely. Iowa Rule of Civil Procedure 247 requires motions for new trial to be filed within ten days of the verdict unless the court, for good cause shown and not ex parte, grants an additional time not to exceed thirty days. The jury verdict was returned on November 10, 1993. Because November 20 was a Saturday, the plaintiff had until Monday, November 22, to file her motion for new trial. On November 19, the court orally granted the plaintiff an extension to November 23. While the written order was dated November 24, it is clear by its language that it was granted on November 19. Iowa Rule of Appellate Procedure 5(a) requires appeals to be taken within thirty days from the judgment unless a motion for new trial ... is filed, and then within thirty days after the entry of the ruling on such motions.... The ruling on the plaintiff's motion for new trial was entered on December 13, 1993. Therefore, Van Overbeke had until January 12, 1994, to file her notice of appeal. She filed her notice on January 12, and we therefore have jurisdiction of her appeal.