Opinion ID: 714860
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Reviewability of the new trial order.

Text: 26 The question remains whether the earlier orders, setting aside the jury verdict and granting the motion for new trial, were erroneous. Before deciding whether these orders were erroneous, we must decide whether they are, after the dismissal for failure to prosecute, reviewable. Where the dismissal was a sanction, as for failure to prosecute, the case is distinguishable from those cases where the case was properly litigated to a conclusion, and the unsuccessful party then seeks on appeal to challenge the interlocutory order granting a new trial. Cf. Roy v. Volkswagen of Am., Inc., 896 F.2d 1174, amended, 920 F.2d 618 (9th Cir.1990); 15B Charles A. Wright et al., Federal Practice and Procedure § 3915.5 (2d ed. 1992 & Supp.1995). The case is also distinguishable from one where an appealable order denying arbitration is followed by default. Cf. Britton v. Co-Op Banking Group, 916 F.2d 1405 (9th Cir.1990). 27 We have held that interlocutory orders, generally appealable after final judgment, are not appealable after a dismissal for failure to prosecute, whether the failure to prosecute is purposeful or is a result of negligence or mistake. Ash v. Cvetkov, 739 F.2d 493, 497-98 (9th Cir.1984). Ash involved a dismissal without prejudice, but we did not suggest that it mattered whether the dismissal was with or without prejudice. The Eighth Circuit has applied the Ash rule where the dismissal was with prejudice. DuBose, 893 F.2d at 171. We see no reason to create an intercircuit conflict on this issue. If the dismissal is for failure to prosecute, whether the failure to prosecute is purposeful or is a result of negligence or mistake, then interlocutory orders cannot be appealed. There is no good reason to allow plaintiff to revive his case in the appellate court after letting it die in the trial court. If he had a good excuse for the failure to prosecute, that would revive the case, including the appealability of interlocutory orders, but he would first have to establish that good excuse, either in the district court or on appeal. 28 These consequences of dismissal are among the reasons why dismissal has been characterized as a harsh penalty ... to be imposed only in extreme circumstances. Henderson, 779 F.2d at 1423. If Al-Torki had, substantially before the date set for trial, fired his lawyer and asked for time to get a new one, different issues might arise. Likewise, if Al-Torki had not fired his lawyer, and his lawyer had been prepared to proceed without Al-Torki, different issues might arise. If Al-Torki had moved in timely fashion for a stay pursuant to an agreement to arbitrate in London or Geneva, the case might be different. Had Al-Torki's failure to appear for his second trial resulted from exhaustion of his funds in the first one, or from his heart condition, the case might be different. Had Al-Torki, in a way which did not put his adversary and the court to the burden of preparing for trial, requested that the court enter judgment against him so that he could have a final appealable judgment at the cost of wagering all on reversal of the new trial order, 15B Charles A. Wright et al., Federal Practice and Procedure § 3915.5, then his case might merit a different outcome. Cf. Deas v. PACCAR, Inc., 775 F.2d 1498, 1502-03 (11th Cir.1985); National Polymer Prods., Inc. v. Borg-Warner Corp., 660 F.2d 171, 176-77 (6th Cir.1981). But none of those possibilities occurred. We have no occasion to decide whether they would require a different outcome. This case presents a simple refusal to appear at the time set for trial. Such a willful failure to appear for trial forfeits a litigant's right to appeal interlocutory orders prior to judgment. 29 AFFIRMED.