Opinion ID: 1644822
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The commission first assigns error in the consolidation for trial of the two cases.

Text: Rule 185, Rules of Civil Procedure, 58 I.C.A., provides: Unless some party shows he will be prejudiced thereby the court may consolidate separate actions which involve common questions of law or fact or order a single trial of any or all issues therein.   . In 1955 the then rule 185 was changed by substituting shows, fourth word above, for objects, stating that. Thus the present rule requires a showing, rather than a mere statement, of prejudice. Under the former rule a party could prevent a consolidation by claiming prejudice. Now it is for the court to determine whether such a claim is well founded. See pocket part, volume 2, Cook's Iowa Rules Civil Procedure, Revised Edition. As the commission concedes, the question whether these actions should be consolidated for trial was largely within the trial court's discretion. See Keller v. Harrison, 139 Iowa 383, 386, 116 N.W. 327; Sykes v. Waring, 228 Iowa 1047, 1055, 293 N.W. 14; United States v. Knaure, 7 Cir., 149 F.2d 519; 88 C.J.S. Trial § 6, page 27; 53 Am.Jur., Trial, section 66. We find no abuse of discretion here. It is clear the two cases involve common questions of law and fact. As stated, the Murphy tract is bounded by the development company's land on three sides. On the fourth side Delaware Avenue is the west boundary of the Murphy tract and much of the development company's land. The same commissioners assessed the damages to both tracts on the same day. Much testimony in the district court relates to both cases. Most of the witnesses on valuations expressed their opinions as to both tracts. Separate trials would have resulted in a good deal of repetition of testimony. Defendant's resistance to plaintiffs' motion to consolidate alleges a consolidation would be prejudicial to defendant and that different factors affect the value of the two tracts. The motion was evidently submitted on the pleadings without any showing of prejudice except such as might be apparent therefrom. We are not prepared to hold this was a showing of prejudice which warrants a reversal.