Opinion ID: 2318701
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Procedure Following In Banc Review

Text: As a preliminary matter, we address whether the issuance of a writ of certiorari was appropriate in this case. The issue arises because normally a party who requests in banc review cannot appeal from the final decision of the in banc panel. In the matter before us, petitioner initiated the appellate process by filing a notice for in banc review in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County to challenge the trial court's order allowing for retroactive modification of alimony. Pursuant to Maryland Rule 2-551, a party may file a notice seeking in banc review of any issue which was preserved by making an appropriate objection at trial. Once the notice has been filed, the Circuit Administrative Judge designates a three judge panel from the circuit, other than the original trial judge, to hear the issue. Article IV, Section 22 of the Maryland Constitution specifically allows for in banc review as follows: Where any Term is held, or trial conducted by less than the whole number of said Circuit Judges, upon the decision or determination of any point, or question, by the Court, it shall be competent to the party, against whom the ruling or decision is made, upon motion, to have the point, or question reserved for the consideration of the three Judges of the Circuit, who shall constitute a court in banc for such purpose; and the motion for such reservation shall be entered of record, during the sitting, at which such decision may be made; and the several Circuit Courts shall regulate, by rules, the mode and manner of presenting such points, or questions to the Court in banc, and the decision of the said Court in banc shall be the effective decision in the premises, and conclusive, as against the party, at whose motion said points, or questions were reserved; but such decision in banc shall not preclude the right of Appeal, or writ of error to the adverse party, in those cases, civil or criminal, in which appeal, or writ of error to the Court of Appeals may be allowed by Law. The right of having questions reserved shall not, however, apply to trials of Appeals from judgments of the District Court, nor to criminal cases below the grade of felony, except when the punishment is confinement in the Penitentiary; and this Section shall be subject to such provisions as may hereafter be made by Law. Maryland Code (1958, 1981 Repl.Vol.), Article IV, § 22 of the Maryland Constitution; See generally, John J. Connolly, Maryland's Right of In Banc Review, 51 MD. L.REV. 434 (1992). A decision rendered by an in banc panel is conclusive, final, and non-appealable by the party who sought the in banc review, and as to that party a reservation of points or questions for consideration by a court in banc is a substitute for an appeal to the Court of Special Appeals. Montgomery County v. McNeece, 311 Md. 194, 198, 533 A.2d 671, 673 (1987); Md. Rule 2-551(h). Maryland Rule 2-551(h) also provides that, [t]he decision of the panel does not preclude an appeal to the Court of Special Appeals by an opposing party who is otherwise entitled to appeal. Thus, respondent was not precluded from filing his appeal with the Court of Special Appeals. See Estep v. Estep, 285 Md. 416, 420-21, 404 A.2d 1040, 1042-43 (1979). The right of the adverse party to appeal the decision of the in banc panel to the Court of Appeals is specifically recognized in Article IV, Section 22 of the Maryland Constitution. However, the Maryland Constitution also states that the decision of the in banc panel shall be the effective decision in the premises, and conclusive with regard to the party who originally sought review by the in banc panel. Md. Const., Art. IV, § 22. The question remains as to whether petitioner could file a petition for a writ of certiorari in this Court following respondent's successful appeal to the Court of Special Appeals. Although Rule 2-551(h) limits who may appeal the in banc panel's decision to the Court of Special Appeals, it does not place any restrictions on seeking additional review by the Court of Special Appeals to this Court. Section 12-201 of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article specifically states that any party may file a petition for certiorari in the Court of Appeals for review of a decision rendered by the Court of Special Appeals. Md.Code (1974, 1998 Repl.Vol.), § 12-201 of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article (emphasis added). In the present case, petitioner would have been precluded effectively from exercising her opportunity to seek review of a partially adverse ruling were we to have dismissed her petition as unauthorized. Neither the Maryland Constitution, Maryland Rule 2-551, nor Section 12-201 of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article mandates such preclusion. Previously this Court has decided the merits of a case traveling an identical route from a final decision of an in banc panel. See In Re: Adoption / Guardianship No. A91-71A, 334 Md. 538, 551-54, 640 A.2d 1085, 1091-93 (1994)(adoptive parents filed Notice for In Banc Review; natural father appealed to the Court of Special Appeals; adoptive parents along with natural mother and baby filed joint petition for a writ of certiorari granted by this Court).