Opinion ID: 1098549
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: the lower court erred in awarding to appellant any sums as attorneys fees

Text: As a condition to granting plaintiff's nonsuit, the trial judge required the plaintiff to pay the defendant the sum of $5,000.00 for expenses incurred in defending the law suit to that point. During the hearing on the motion for the nonsuit the following discussion occurred: Court: ... I think the rules make it a favored position for a court to dismiss a case if plaintiff makes a motion, but obviously, I have some obligation to make sure that it's fair and reasonable to the defense. I have yet to hear any testimony or evidence as to what expenses have been incurred or what would be factually fair and just if I were to dismiss the matter ... I just don't think it necessarily is fair for a plaintiff to file suit for medical malpractice, nine months later decide they want to dismiss it without prejudice and no cost ... I feel like there probably should be some consideration for costs and expenses. If you have anything, I'll  [Carter] Your Honor, we are prepared to offer the Court proof as to the costs and expenses, including attorneys fees, which have been incurred by these defendants in the Circuit Court action here in this Court. I have an affidavit itemizing the hours devoted by the attorneys in our firm and the expenses incurred ... Court: ... I would like to hear briefly anything you've got to say about that and if you do have an affidavit or some proof you want to present, I'll give you an opportunity to do so. [Carter] Your Honor, we'll offer the affidavit, if there's no objection ... Court: Are you tendering this affidavit in evidence? [Carter] We offer that affidavit, if Your Honor please, in evidence and as proof upon the issue of time expended and expenses incurred in defending the action 2151-H had through August 7, 1987. Court: Would you so stipulate? [Clegg] Your Honor, we would object to this ... I think we're going to have to get into a full-fledged hearing on how much of that is going to relate to what we are doing in Hinds County and what those actually were and I think we're going to have to cross examine on that document ... I want the opportunity to cross examine the people who did this as to what their time was and where they were and what they were doing. Court: All right. Counsel, I think the rule anticipates or encourages, if there is a dismissal with an allowance of expenses, some record being made as to what's fair and reasonable concerning expenses. He is objecting to your affidavit. I sustain it as rank hearsay. If you have got any proof, I'll be happy to hear that and if y'all would desire, we can recess early for lunch ... [Carter] Your Honor, we'll stand on our submission of the affidavit and ask for the Court to consider it. [Clegg] To which we object ... I feel it would be inappropriate to award attorneys [fees] in light of the defendant's failure to go forward with any proof and ask the Court to just guess what might be awarded by virtue of a docket. So we object to it. Court: All right. I'm going to permit that synopsis of what appears in the docket book in cause number 2151-H to be admitted into evidence. That's the same matter which I took judicial notice of earlier. Let it be admitted and marked as a general exhibit. [Clegg] Could I  I object to this being entered as evidence as any indication of what should be awarded as attorneys fees. Although specific evidence regarding expenses was never admitted, the trial court conditioned the dismissal on an award of attorneys' fees and expenses. He did this based on his knowledge of the contents of the court file and the eight or nine months of pending litigation on this matter, and having knowledge of the general hourly charges for attorneys within this community including the magnitude of this particular matter.