Opinion ID: 2519022
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Exercise of Original Jurisdiction Alone is Insufficient to Create a Preclusionary Effect

Text: ¶ 8 The Okla. Const. art. 7 § 4 sets forth our authority to assume original jurisdiction for the consideration of writs of mandamus. [8] While art. 7 § 4 authorizes us to assume original jurisdiction in certain cases, the exercise of original jurisdiction is purely discretionary. [9] It is well settled that our refusal to exercise original jurisdiction under art. 7, § 4, has no preclusive effect as to the underlying issues and does not constitute an adjudication on the merits. [10] Miller Dollarhide concedes as much. However, Miller Dollarhide argues, and the Court of Civil Appeals agreed, that by exercising our original jurisdiction and then denying the writ itself, our denial must be treated as being on the merits and therefore precludes further review of any of Tal's bias claims. [11] ¶ 9 We cannot agree that our decision to assume jurisdiction creates such a broad preclusive effect. When this Court acts to assumes original jurisdiction, we are exercising our constitutional authority to consider and decide a pending matter involving our general superintending control over all inferior courts, commissions and boards. [12] The exercise of original jurisdiction, in and of itself, creates no special preclusive effect, because the act is not itself a disposition of the matter. Nor does the exercise of original jurisdiction necessarily imply a decision on the merits of the claims argued by the parties. [13] This is especially true on the facts presented here, where this Court was well aware that Tal was presenting the same claims in a collateral direct appeal proceeding. [14] That fact alone lends credence to the probability that although we assumed jurisdiction, Tal was not entitled to mandamus relief because he clearly had other adequate remedies at law. [15] Therefore, we must look at the decision and subsequent disposition rendered after the exercise of original jurisdiction to determine the preclusive effect, if any, of the Court's action.