Opinion ID: 1152315
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: combined statements of the case and of the facts

Text: Kenneth E. and Genny Walker, plaintiffs below and appellants here, filed suit on August 8, 1984 against Judson Parnell, defendant below and appellee here, for the faulty construction of a bulkhead on their property in Jackson County, Mississippi. The case was tried on January 22, 1986 and a Judgment was entered on February 28, 1986 against Parnell for $7,000.00 and attorney fees of $1,887.81. A Motion For A New Trial was filed on February 28, 1986, and on April 8, 1986 the Court granted a new trial. On September 2, 1986, appellants' counsel, Peter Halat, sought to dismiss himself from the case and explained in a letter to the Circuit Court Judge that [m]y law firm spent over seventy-five hours preparing and trying the case. My client now advises that he is unable to pay the expenses of litigation and has requested that I handle the case again on a continguent [sic] basis. It is economically unfeasible  and unfair  for me to handle this claim on the contingency of a court awarded fee or a traditional contingency contract. There has been some settlement discussion but I do not seriously believe that the case will be settled. Therefore, I am requesting that I be allowed to withdraw as the Walkers' attorney and further requesting that you allow them additional time to secure substitute counsel. I have enclosed an Order for your consideration. On September 9, 1986, Mr. Halat was allowed to withdraw and on same date a letter was sent by the Court Administrator to appellants allowing them thirty days to obtain new counsel. Honorable Tom Stennis entered his appearance as attorney of record on October 17, 1986, but on March 19, 1987, he filed a Motion to Withdraw as Counsel of Record citing the fact that he had accepted permanent employment as the attorney for the Board of Supervisors of Jackson County and [was] no longer in private practice. On March 20, 1987, an Order was entered allowing Mr. Stennis to withdraw. One year later, on March 17, 1988 the Circuit Clerk's office filed a Motion to Dismiss for Want of Prosecution and pursuant to Rule 41(d) of the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure. The action was dismissed without prejudice on April 19, 1988. On July 19, 1988, William T. Reed, Esq., entered his appearance as attorney for appellants [1] , and on July 22, 1988, he filed a Motion to Reinstate. A hearing on said Motion was held on July 29, 1988 and the Motion was denied and an Order was entered accordingly on August 11, 1988. This Order was silent as to whether the case was being dismissed with or without prejudice therefore we treat it as being without prejudice. See MISS.R.CIV.P. Rule 41(d)(1). The Walkers then perfected this appeal. We think the sole issue on appeal can be simplified to read as follows: