Opinion ID: 1774177
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: prohibition is available where a motion for change of venue is improperly denied

Text: Prohibition is a discretionary writ, and there is no right to have the writ issued. State ex rel. Linthicum v. Calvin, 57 S.W.3d 855, 856-857 (Mo. banc 2001). The writ will be issued only to prevent an abuse of judicial discretion, to avoid irreparable harm to a party, or to prevent exercise of extra-jurisdictional power. Id. Because improper venue is a fundamental defect, a court that acts when venue is improper acts in excess of its jurisdiction. State ex rel. City of St. Louis v. Kinder, 698 S.W.2d 4, 6 (Mo. banc 1985). Prohibition lies to bar the trial court from taking any further action, except to transfer the case to a proper venue. State ex rel. Etter, Inc. v. Neill, 70 S.W.3d 28, 32 (Mo.App. E.D.2002).