Court Opinion

ID: 9677964
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 06:07:12.41392+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:17:00.665387
License: Public Domain

TOM GLAZE, Justice, concurring. The majority opinion initially tice, the trial court could not (and did not) adjudicate all the claims or rights and liabilities of all the parties because the record-title owner to the disputed strip of land was not a party to the lawsuit. In taking this position, it appeared this court would dismiss this appeal pursuant to Rule 54(b). Instead, the majority opinion tends to stray and discusses subject-matter jurisdiction, which I believe is a non-issue. The chancery court here unquestionably had the authority to decide this quiet-title action. While I could agree with the majority court to dismiss this appeal on Rule 54(b) grounds, I cannot agree to dismiss based upon the premise that the chancery court lacked subject-matter jurisdiction. In conference, it was suggested that Rule 54(b) is inapplicable here because all rights and claims of persons made parties to the lawsuit have been resolved. Of course, in the absence of the record-title owner, the parties’ rights to the disputed strip of land have not been fully adjudicated, and for that reason alone, the appeal should be dismissed. Clearly, a cloud on the title to the disputed strip of land still exists, and the chancellor made this point in his amended order wherein he recited that an unknown record owner still retained the eastern seven and one-half feet of the disputed strip. Whether this court affirms the chancellor’s decision or dismisses this appeal, a cloud on the title to the strip will continue until a proper quiet-tide proceeding is conducted and all parties’ rights are fully adjudicated. I join the majority opinion in dismissing this case, but do so on Rule 54(b) grounds.