Opinion ID: 2534763
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Whether the trial court had jurisdiction to hear Greene County's motion for contempt and damages.

Text: ¶ 11. Upon review, this Court will not disturb the findings of a chancellor unless manifestly wrong, clearly erroneous or a clearly erroneous legal standard was applied. Isom v. Jernigan, 840 So.2d 104, 106 (Miss.2003) (quoting Bell v. Parker, 563 So.2d 594, 596-97 (Miss.1990)). However, the trial court's interpretation and application of the law is reviewed de novo. Isom, 840 So.2d at 106. ¶ 12. CMI argues that Rule 81 of the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure governs, and that it was entitled to service of process before being subjected to the trial court's jurisdiction. CMI fails to realize that, although the special chancellor ordered that the second amended final judgment be a Rule 54(b) final judgment, the trial court retained jurisdiction for the purpose of enforcing its judgment. Corporate Mgmt., Inc. v. Greene County, 23 So.3d 454, 458 (Miss.2009). ¶ 13. Rule 5 of the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure provides, in part: Except as otherwise provided in these rules, ..., every pleading subsequent to the original complaint, ... shall be served upon each of the parties. M.R.C.P. 5(a). This rule presupposes that the court has already gained jurisdiction over the parties. M.R.C.P. 5 cmt. Because the court retained jurisdiction for the purpose of enforcing its judgment, Rule 5 of the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure applies. Further, Greene County's motion for contempt is a pleading subsequent to CMI's original complaint and, therefore, was subject to the service requirements of Rule 5(a). ¶ 14. Rule 5(b) provides the method by which pleadings and other papers may be served under Rule 5(a). Rule 5(b) provides, in part: Whenever under these rules service is required or permitted to be made upon a party who is represented by an attorney of record in the proceedings, the service shall be made upon such attorney unless service upon the party himself is ordered by the court. Service upon the attorney or upon a party shall be made by delivering a copy to him; or transmitting it to him by electronic means; or by mailing it to him at his last known address, or if no address is known, by leaving it with the clerk of the court. M.R.C.P. 5(b). ¶ 15. At the time Greene County filed its motion for contempt and for damages, CMI was still a party who is represented by an attorney of record in the proceedings. Greene County effected service upon CMI by mailing its motion, via United States mail, to counsel for CMI, which is in compliance with the requirements of Rule 5(b). Thus, Greene County properly served CMI under Rule 5(b). Therefore, the trial court had jurisdiction to hear Greene County's motion for contempt, and no new service of process was needed. ¶ 16. Furthermore, Rule 70 of the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure states: (a) If a judgment directs a party to execute a conveyance of land or to deliver deeds or other documents or to perform any other specific act and the party fails to comply within the time specified, the court may direct the act to be done at the cost of the disobedient party by some other person appointed by the court and the act when so done has like effect as if done by the party. ... (d) The court may also in proper cases adjudge the party in contempt. M.R.C.P. 70. The comment to Rule 70 provides that the purpose of Rule 70 is to provide ample power to the courts for dealing effectively with parties who seek to thwart judgments by refusing to comply with orders or perform specific acts. M.R.C.P. 70 cmt. As noted above, the special chancellor ordered that the second amended final judgment be a Rule 54(b) final judgment, [and] the trial court retained jurisdiction for the purpose of enforcing its judgment. Corporate Mgmt., Inc. v. Greene County, 23 So.3d 454, 458 (Miss.2009). Thus, we find that the trial court was vested with the authority to retain jurisdiction for the purpose of enforcing its judgment under Rule 70 of the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure.