Opinion ID: 1919151
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Superior Court's Nunc Pro Tunc Order

Text: This appeal must be dismissed unless it was revived by the April 22, 1988 order of the Superior Court. See Supr. Ct. R. 29(b). We must, therefore, determine what consequences, if any, the April 22, 1988 order by the Superior Court has on our determination that this appeal is moot. The Superior Court's April 22, 1988 order sought to extend, nunc pro tunc, the duration of the June 19, 1987 order. [7] If the Superior Court's action was a valid exercise of its jurisdiction, then the June 19, 1987 order would remain effective pending the outcome of this appeal and the application of the mootness doctrine to the case would be inappropriate. With the exception of interlocutory appeals, the proper perfection of an appeal to this Court generally divests the trial court of its jurisdiction over the cause of action. Eller v. State, Del.Supr., 531 A.2d 948, 950-51 (1987); Moore v. Moore, Del. Supr., 144 A.2d 765, 767 (1958); King v. Lank, Del.Super., 61 A.2d 402, 404 (1948); 4 Am.Jur.2d Appeal and Error § 352 (1962); Del.App.Hbk. § 6.08 (1984). We recognize that in some instances the trial court may exercise its jurisdiction as to collateral or independent matters. See, e.g., Park Oil, Inc. v. Getty Refining & Marketing Co., Del.Supr., 407 A.2d 537, 538 (1979) (per curiam); Biggs Boiler Works Co. v. Smith, Del.Supr., 82 A.2d 919, 919-20 (1951) (per curiam); 4 Am. Jur.2d Appeal and Error § 355 (1962); Del.App.Hbk. § 6.08 (1984). However, we find that the Superior Court's April 22, 1988 order falls within the general rule. Upon the filing of the appeal to this Court, the Superior Court lost the power to amend the June 19, 1987 order. Biggs Boiler Works Co. v. Smith, 82 A.2d at 919. [C]onfusion ... would result if, during the pendency of an appeal, the decree sought to be reviewed could be amended without leave of the appellate court. Id. at 920. Therefore, the Superior Court had no jurisdiction to extend the duration of the expired order because such an extension is neither a collateral nor an independent matter. [8]