Court Opinion

ID: 9758705
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-28 23:40:58.682+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:28:54.188922
License: Public Domain

LAMBERT, Chief Justice,
dissenting.
Respectfully, I dissent.
The “clock and drop” system is a mechanical substitute for a live person, and this system was instituted by the clerk’s office for administrative convenience. Moreover, the practice of filing notices of appeal through this system is accepted by the Jefferson Circuit Clerk’s office. It also has the tacit approval of this Court, as we have not denied its validity. Thus, we should not punish those who use this system by now adhering to the outdated policy of strict compliance when substantial compliance is the standard with regard to rules of appellate procedure. To do so accomplishes no purpose recognized as meaningful within the administration of the courts.
The opposing party here was not prejudiced. The lawsuit was not delayed. A simple phone call from the clerk’s office notifying counsel of the defect engendered an immediate cure. Thus, the majority opinion represents nothing but a Pyrrhic triumph of form over substance. Justice and its effective administration has not been served.
When a mechanical device is offered in lieu of personal service in the Kentucky court system, the device should guard against user error or the court should make concessions for its imperfections. Although the defect in filing the notice of appeal here was the fault of counsel in the first instance, the defect persisted because of an imperfect processing procedure. This Court should adopt a stance of humility and take responsibility for its share of the failure of this system. The goal of the judiciary as a forum for the fair determination of controversies on the merits is dis-served by the inflexible position of the majority.
GRAVES and STUMBO, JJ., join this dissenting opinion.