Opinion ID: 2115755
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Trial court's failure to dismiss appeal.

Text: The trial court did not specifically rule on appellant's motion to dismiss respondent's appeal because it was patently frivolous and without merit. However, the trial court in its decision denying the department's motion to dismiss, directed the parties to submit briefs on the merits and in its order directing the dismissal of the department's motion, ordered it to make its return pursuant to the provisions of sec. 102.23, Stats. No return has been made by the department; the merits of the dispute between the parties to this appeal are not before us. We conclude that the trial court's direction to the department to make its return, and to the parties to submit briefs on the merits, is dispositive of this issue, and constitutes a denial of appellant's motion to dismiss the appeal as frivolous and without merit. By the Court. Order affirmed.