Opinion ID: 516457
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Final Appealable Order

Text: 25 Notwithstanding the parties' perfunctory assertion of appellate jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. Sec. 1291, we have outlined the jurisdictional problem which is apparent from what does not appear in the record. There was no explicit written indication of a final disposition on the merits and there was no separate document setting out a judgment or an entry of a final judgment on the district court civil docket. Thus, we must determine whether any of the orders issued by the district court were final and appealable. Principal Mutual Life Ins. Co., 845 F.2d at 675-76. 26 On three separate occasions in 1987, May 13, June 5 and June 25, the district court issued orders from the bench affecting this case. We address these orders in turn to determine whether any of them were final and appealable. 27 The May 13 order granting Chrysler's motion to dismiss and giving Rosser leave to reinstate the case within 30 days was not final and appealable. A dismissal of a case is not final and appealable when the district court contemplates further proceedings. Hatch v. Lane, 854 F.2d 981, 982 (7th Cir.1988); see also Ordower v. Feldman, 826 F.2d 1569, 1573 (7th Cir.1987) (dismissal not final where plaintiff is free to file an amended complaint). 28 Subsequent events indicate that the judge's decision on June 5 to strike Rosser's motion to reinstate also was not meant to be final. Despite the judge's comments at the June 5 and June 25 hearings, Rosser's motion only was stricken from the call (that is, not heard) on June 5, and a second hearing on the motion to reinstate was held on June 25. Hatch again applies; the June 5 order striking Rosser's motion to reinstate also was not final and appealable. Thus, we are left with whatever result can be gleaned from the comments from the bench and the docket entry relating to the June 25 hearing. 29 As we discuss at the beginning of this opinion, the district judge's comments at the June 25 hearing indicate that he intended to terminate the federal litigation once and for all. He both indicated that this matter should be put to bed in one court or the other and that this matter is dismissed. No further action was contemplated by the district judge. Thus, this order is final as it clearly was intended to terminate the litigation in federal court.