Court Opinion

ID: 9598744
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 01:11:26.667273+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:08:05.108400
License: Public Domain

CARMODY Chief Justice (specially com-curring). Although I agree with the opinion insofar as it disposes of the main appeal, I cannot join with the method of disposition of the cross-appeal, and feel that the discussion of the merits of the cross-appeal is not warranted. This court did not obtain jurisdiction of the cross-appeal, because of the lack of any order of the district court allowing the same. As pointed out in the opinion, this case was filed in 1958. Therefore, under the law then existing, in order to grant jurisdiction to this court it was necessary under the then Rule 21-2-1(5), N.M.S.A. 1953, to file a motion and obtain an order from the trial court allowing an appeal. The cross-appeal rule (§ 21-2-1(7) (2), N. M.S.A.1953) does not expressly provide that an order of the district court be obtained in order to give the supreme court jurisdiction; nevertheless, the rule specifically states “shall make application therefor,” and I do not believe that, when 7(2) and the old 5 are considered together, there can be any question but that making “application” contemplated the obtaining of an order. As a matter of fact, “application” means “The act- of making a request for something.” See Bouvier’s Law Dictionary. Thus the rule must have contemplated'the making of a request for an o'rder granting the cross-appeal. In the instant case, there was merely a notice of the cross-appeal, and although this would comply with 'the rule as it now exists, it was not sufficient in this case. The cases cited in the main opinion are not authority for the determination that this court has jurisdiction of the cross-appeal, lacking an order granting the same. Contrariwise, in Frederick v. Younger Van Lines, 1964, 74 N.M. 320, 393 P.2d 438, we specifically recognized that an order allowing a cross-appeal under Rule 7(2) was necessary for cases filed prior to March 15, 1961, and a notice of cross-appeal with respect to cases filed thereafter. To me, this is a jurisdictional question, and substantial compliance as mentioned in the main opinion is not sufficient. Substantial compliance did not satisfy the jurisdictional requirement on an appeal prior to the change of Rule 5, see In re Saiz Estate, 1961, 69 N.M. 18, 363 P.2d 628, nor can it satisfy the jurisdictional requirement with respect to a cross-appeal. It is fully realized that the main opinion refuses to grant the relief claimed by the cross-appeal. I reach the same result, but on the basis that I do not believe the court can even consider the cross-appeal. Therefore, I feel called upon to express my disagreement, in order to point up the fact that the main opinion in this cas'e, On the jurisdictional question, is only the' opinion of two justices and may not be Considered as authority, ■