Opinion ID: 1817903
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Failure to Consider the Kysers' Response

Text: The Kysers argue that the trial court erred in refusing to consider their written response to Harrison's motion to exclude. In their initial appellate brief, the Kysers cite no legal authority in support of that argument. In Spradlin v. Birmingham Airport Authority, 613 So.2d 347, 348 (Ala.1993), this Court stated: `Where an appellant fails to cite any authority for an argument, this Court may affirm the judgment as to those issues, for it is neither this Court's duty nor its function to perform all the legal research for an appellant. Rule 28(a)[(10)], Ala. R.App. P.; Henderson v. Alabama A & M Univ., 483 So.2d 392 (Ala. 1986).' Sea Calm Shipping Co., S.A. v. Cooks, 565 So.2d 212, 216 (Ala. 1990). In their reply brief, the Kysers cite Rule 6(d), Ala. R. Civ. P., which provides: A written motion, other than one which may be heard ex parte, and notice of the hearing thereof shall be served not later than five (5) days before the time specified for the hearing, unless a different period is fixed by these rules or by order of the court. Such an order may for cause shown be made on ex parte application. When a motion is supported by affidavit, the affidavit shall be served with the motion; and, except as otherwise provided in Rule 59(c), opposing affidavits may be served not later than one (1) day before the hearing, unless the court permits them to be served at some other time. We note the well-established principle of appellate review that we will not consider an issue not raised in an appellant's initial brief, but raised only in its reply brief. Brown v. St. Vincent's Hosp., 899 So.2d 227, 234 (Ala.2004). Whether Rule 6(d) was violated in this case is an issue the Kysers raise for the first time in their reply brief, to which Harrison has not had the opportunity to respond. Even if we were to ignore the fact that the only legal authority cited by the Kysers in support of their argument first appears in their reply brief, the record reveals that the Kysers never presented this argument to the trial court. During the summary-judgment hearing, the following exchange took place with respect to Harrison's motion to exclude: MR. ADAMS [the Kysers' attorney]: Your Honor, if I might, but I would like to go on record and say that [the motion to exclude] . . . was faxed to our office yesterday afternoon after we left. We have not received a copy of that until this morning. And I just would like for the Court to be aware of that. THE COURT: And let me say this: I don't intend to make a bench ruling on that motion. I'm not going to preclude you from making argument on your response in opposition. Okay? The Kysers' attorneys did not ask the trial court for a continuance or for leave to submit additional argument or materials after the hearing, nor did they refer the court to the provision of Rule 6(d), Ala. R. Civ. P., requiring a written motion and notice of the hearing on the motion to be served at least five days before the hearing. We cannot put a trial court in error for failure to rule on a matter which, according to the record, was not presented to, nor decided by him . . . . Defore v. Bourjois, Inc., 268 Ala. 228, 230, 105 So.2d 846, 848 (1958). Therefore, we do not reach the question whether the trial court erred in refusing to consider the Kysers' written response to Harrison's motion to exclude.