Court Opinion

ID: 4388375
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-04-18 03:52:14.875806+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:23:13.548466
License: Public Domain

NUMBER 13-19-00100-CV

                                    COURT OF APPEALS

                          THIRTEENTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS

                             CORPUS CHRISTI - EDINBURG

            IN RE DENNIS W. BERRY, MARVIN G. BERRY, BAY INC.,
                 BERRY GP, INC. D/B/A BERRY CONTRACTING
                AND BERRY CONTRACTING, LP D/B/A BAY LTD

                          On Petition for Writ of Mandamus.

                                             OPINION

   Before Chief Justice Contreras and Justices Longoria and Perkes
                      Opinion by Justice Perkes1

        Relators Dennis W. Berry, Marvin G. Berry, Bay Inc., Berry GP, Inc. d/b/a Berry

Contracting and Berry Contracting, LP d/b/a Bay Ltd, filed a petition for writ of mandamus

seeking to compel the trial court2 to vacate the March 4, 2019 “Order Granting Plaintiffs’

Motion for Substituted Service of Allen L. Berry.” Through this order, the trial court

         1 See TEX. R. APP. P. 52.8(d) (“When granting relief, the court must hand down an opinion as in

any other case,” but when “denying relief, the court may hand down an opinion but is not required to do
so.”); see also id. R. 47.4 (distinguishing opinions and memorandum opinions).
        2  This original proceeding arises from trial court cause number 2018-CCV-60353-3 in the County
Court at Law No. 3 of Nueces County, Texas, and the respondent is the Honorable Deeanne Galvan. See
id. R. 52.2.
allowed service of a subpoena and notice of an oral deposition on a non-party witness by

leaving a copy of these documents with someone over the age of sixteen at the witness’s

alleged residence or by attaching a subpoena to the front door of the witness’s alleged

residence. Concluding that the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure do not authorize this

procedure for discovery from a non-party witness, we conditionally grant the petition for

writ of mandamus.

                                      I. BACKGROUND

       Real party in interest Kenneth L. Berry filed suit individually and in a derivative

capacity for Skyeagle, Inc. (Skyeagle) against relators for, inter alia, breach of fiduciary

duty, conspiracy, usurpation of corporate opportunity, and unjust enrichment.          The

gravamen of the suit concerned the transfer of a railway easement. Kenneth sought

injunctive relief, declaratory relief and disgorgement, attorney’s fees and costs, and

punitive damages.      Bay Inc., Berry GP, Inc. d/b/a Berry Contracting and Berry

Contracting, LP d/b/a Bay Ltd. (the corporate defendants), filed an answer and a

counterclaim, and Dennis and Marvin filed answers. Real party Kenneth and relators

Dennis and Marvin are brothers and they each own one-third of the shares of Skyeagle.

       During discovery, Kenneth filed “Plaintiffs’ Motion for Substituted Service of Allen

L. Berry.” Allen L. Berry (Lawrence) is the younger brother to Kenneth, Dennis, and

Marvin and is not a party to the lawsuit.        According to the motion, Kenneth had

unsuccessfully attempted to serve a subpoena on Lawrence to appear and testify at a

deposition. Kenneth requested that the trial court “allow for substituted service under

Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 106(b).” See TEX. R. CIV. P. 106 (governing service of

citation).

                                             2
      According to the motion, on October 9, 2018, counsel for Kenneth sent a letter to

counsel for the corporate defendants requesting available dates for Lawrence’s

deposition. The letter also requested that counsel for the corporate defendants advise

Kenneth if Lawrence was “not subject to the control” of any of the companies.

      On October 11, 2018, counsel for the corporate defendants responded to this

inquiry by letter stating that he was unable to produce Lawrence for deposition but

suggesting that Kenneth contact Lawrence’s personal attorney. The letter specifically

provided that “you can see if you can work something out with [Lawrence’s] personal

attorney, Butch Boyd, copied herein.” This letter included Boyd’s contact information.

      On October 12, 2018, Kenneth’s counsel sent a letter to Boyd, informed him that

he wished to take Lawrence’s deposition in connection with this lawsuit, and requested

Boyd to provide available dates for the deposition.

      Boyd did not respond to this request. On or about October 29, 2018, Kenneth

served relators’ counsel with a notice of oral deposition and subpoena to testify which

commanded Lawrence to appear at a specific date and place for deposition. Kenneth

enlisted process server Marcus Brown to effect service of the subpoena on Lawrence.

Brown made several unsuccessful attempts to personally serve the subpoena on

Lawrence and prepared an affidavit detailing his efforts. He testified that he attempted to

serve the subpoena on Lawrence at 5418 Willers Way in Houston, Texas on four

occasions: (1) on October 30, 2018 at 11:18 a.m.; (2) November 1, 2018 at 11:56 a.m.;

(3) November 3, 2018 at 12:08 p.m.; and (4) again on November 3, 2018 at 7:14 p.m.

Brown documented that for each attempt, he received no response at the door, no

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neighbors could or were available to verify Lawrence’s address, and he left a delivery

notice at the residence.3

        Kenneth’s motion for substituted service alleged that Lawrence’s “apparent

evasion of service is unsurprising, given his documented hostility toward a process server

in another case.” The motion recounted that, in a separate case, in which Kenneth and

Lawrence were both parties, Lawrence “used a handgun to threaten a process server

who was attempting to serve him at his residence.” Kenneth included an affidavit from

the process server in that case stating that “Houston Police Dept. called, he pulled [a]

handgun out and threatened to shoot me if I didn’t leave his property. He would not hold

the papers so I [d]ropped served [sic] at door of 5418 Willers Way, Houston, Texas 77056

with police escort.”

        The motion for substituted service asserted that “Lawrence Berry’s prior conduct,

and Brown’s failure to serve Lawrence Berry at his residence after multiple attempts,

together demonstrate the difficulty and the danger of personally serving Lawrence Berry.”

The motion concluded that:

        [B]ecause of the diligent yet unsuccessful efforts to serve Lawrence Berry
        by traditional means, and the known physical location where he can
        probably be found is reasonably calculated to provide him with notice,
        Plaintiff seeks an order from the Court authorizing substituted service as
        requested below as authorized by TEX. R. CIV. P. 106(b).

        Relators filed a “Response to Plaintiffs’ Motion for Substituted Service of Allen L.

Berry and Request for Oral Hearing.” Relators contended that Rule 106 only applies to

service of citation at the inception of a lawsuit and provides no authority for serving a

        3  As an exhibit to their motion for substituted service, the real parties included a letter from the
process serving company which was attached to Brown’s affidavit. The letter states that the process
serving company “was unable to effect service” and “[b]ased on our attempts, it was non-served for the
following reason: Canceldbyclient [sic].”

                                                     4
deposition notice or subpoena on a non-party by simply attaching it to the non-party’s

front door or leaving it at a residence. Relators further argued that Kenneth had not

produced evidence that the address at which he attempted to serve Lawrence was, in

fact, his residence.

       On March 4, 2019, without holding a hearing, the trial court granted Kenneth’s

motion for substituted service and ordered, in relevant part, as follows:

       THEREFORE, pursuant to Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 106(b), Plaintiff is
       hereby authorized to serve:

       1.     This Order;

       2.     Subpoena to Allen L. Berry to Appear and Testify at a Deposition;

       3.     Notice of Oral Deposition to Allen L. Berry; and

       4.     Any other subpoena or notice of deposition issued by Plaintiff in this
              case by the following means:

              (1)      Leaving a copy of the aforementioned documents with
                       someone over the age of 16 at Allen L. Berry’s residence;

              (2)      Attaching a subpoena to the front door of Allen L. Berry’s
                       residence at 5418 Willers Way, Houston, Texas 77056.

       Service of process on Allen L. Berry as authorized by this Order shall be
       deemed complete by complying with the means authorized above.

       This original proceeding ensued. Relators raise four issues through which they

assert: (1) the trial court misapplied the law, and thereby abused its discretion, by using

Rule 106 to support substituted service of subpoenas and deposition notices on a non-

party; (2) assuming Rule 106 applies, the trial court abused its discretion because the

burden of proof required under Rule 106 for substitute service of citation on a party was

not met; (3) the trial court lacks jurisdiction to authorize discovery from a non-party other

than that provided by a validly served subpoena under the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure;

and (4) relators lack an adequate remedy by appeal.

                                             5
       This Court granted temporary relief and stayed the March 4, 2019 order. See TEX.

R. APP. P. 52.10(b) (“Unless vacated or modified, an order granting temporary relief is

effective until the case is finally decided.”). We requested and received a response to the

petition for writ of mandamus from Kenneth. He asserts, inter alia, that the rules of civil

procedure authorize substituted service of a subpoena on a non-party witness and the

trial court exercised its broad discretion to control the litigation in this case. Kenneth

further asserts that relators have failed to show that they lack an adequate remedy by

appeal. Relators further filed a reply to this response.

                                 II. MANDAMUS STANDARD

       To obtain relief by writ of mandamus, a relator must establish that the trial court

committed a clear abuse of discretion and that there is no adequate remedy by appeal.

In re Nationwide Ins. Co. of Am., 494 S.W.3d 708, 712 (Tex. 2016) (orig. proceeding); In

re Prudential Ins. Co. of Am., 148 S.W.3d 124, 135–36 (Tex. 2004) (orig. proceeding);

Walker v. Packer, 827 S.W.2d 833, 839–40 (Tex. 1992) (orig. proceeding). The relator

bears the burden of proving both requirements. In re H.E.B. Grocery Co., 492 S.W.3d
300, 302 (Tex. 2016) (orig. proceeding) (per curiam); Walker, 827 S.W.2d at 840.

       A trial court abuses its discretion if it reaches a decision that is so arbitrary and

unreasonable as to amount to a clear and prejudicial error of law or if it clearly fails to

correctly analyze or apply the law. In re Dawson, 550 S.W.3d 625, 628 (Tex. 2018) (orig.

proceeding) (per curiam); In re Cerberus Capital Mgmt., L.P., 164 S.W.3d 379, 382 (Tex.

2005) (orig. proceeding) (per curiam). This is true even when the area of law in question

is unsettled. In re M-I L.L.C., 505 S.W.3d 569, 574 (Tex. 2016) (orig. proceeding); Huie

v. DeShazo, 922 S.W.2d 920, 927–28 (Tex. 1996).

                                             6
       We determine the adequacy of an appellate remedy by balancing the benefits of

mandamus review against the detriments. In re Essex Ins. Co., 450 S.W.3d 524, 528

(Tex. 2014) (orig. proceeding); In re Prudential Ins. Co. of Am., 148 S.W.3d at 136. In

deciding whether the benefits of mandamus outweigh the detriments, we weigh the public

and private interests involved, and we look to the facts in each case to determine the

adequacy of an appeal. In re United Servs. Auto. Ass’n, 307 S.W.3d 299, 313 (Tex. 2010)

(orig. proceeding); In re McAllen Med. Ctr., Inc., 275 S.W.3d 458, 469 (Tex. 2008) (orig.

proceeding); In re Prudential Ins. Co. of Am., 148 S.W.3d at 136–37. Mandamus “may

be essential to preserve important substantive and procedural rights from impairment or

loss, [and] allow the appellate courts to give needed and helpful direction to the law that

would otherwise prove elusive in appeals from final judgments.” In re Prudential Ins. Co.

of Am., 148 S.W.3d at 136.

                               III. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION

       This case concerns the interpretation and construction of the Texas Rules of Civil

Procedure. We interpret our rules of civil procedure using the same principles we apply

when construing statutes. In re City of Dickinson, No. 17-0020, 2019 WL 638555, at *3,

__ S.W.3d __, __ (Tex. Feb. 15, 2019) (orig. proceeding); In re Bridgestone Americas

Tire Operations, LLC, 459 S.W.3d 565, 569 (Tex. 2015) (orig. proceeding); In re Christus

Spohn Hosp. Kleberg, 222 S.W.3d 434, 437 (Tex. 2007) (orig. proceeding). Our review

is de novo, and our primary objective is to give effect to the drafter’s intent as expressed

in the rule’s language. In re City of Dickinson, 2019 WL 638555, at *3; Galbraith Eng’g

Consultants, Inc. v. Pochucha, 290 S.W.3d 863, 867 (Tex. 2009). We look first to the

rule’s language and construe it according to its plain meaning.         In re Bridgestone

Americas Tire Operations, LLC, 459 S.W.3d at 569; In re Christus Spohn Hosp. Kleberg,

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222 S.W.3d at 437. Because our discovery rules are part of a cohesive whole, we must

consider the rules in context rather than as isolated provisions. In re City of Dickinson,

2019 WL 638555, at *3; TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Co. v. Combs, 340 S.W.3d 432, 439

(Tex. 2011). We give the rules a liberal construction to obtain “a just, fair, equitable and

impartial adjudication of the rights of litigants under established principles of substantive

law.” TEX. R. CIV. P. 1; see In re Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC, 459 S.W.3d

at 569.

                        IV. DISCOVERY FROM NON-PARTY WITNESSES

       In their first issue, relators contend that the trial court abused its discretion in

ordering substituted service of a subpoena and a deposition notice on a non-party. In

contrast, Kenneth contends that substituted service of the subpoena and notice on

Lawrence was authorized by Rule 106 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. See TEX.

R. CIV. P. 106. Kenneth argues that the rules of civil procedure allow for substituted

service for subpoenas because some rules expressly mandate personal service of

process, but others do not. In support of this argument, Kenneth contends that Rules 10

and 106(a) expressly mandate personal service of process by requiring service “in

person” whereas Rule 176.5, governing the service of a subpoena, does not, and instead

allows service by “delivering a copy to the witness.” See id. R. 10 (providing, in relevant

part, that notice to a party of an attorney’s withdrawal shall be either made to the party “in

person” or mailed to the party’s last known address”); id. R. 106(a) (providing for the

service of citation by delivery “in person” or by mail); id. R. 176.5 (providing for the service

of a subpoena “by delivering a copy to the witness”). Kenneth further argues that the trial

court exercised its “inherent and discretionary” powers by liberally construing the rules to

allow substituted service of non-party subpoenas after “diligent” efforts at personal service

                                               8
were exhausted. They assert that at least one Texas court has implicitly recognized a

trial court’s discretion to order substituted service of a non-party subpoena. See Howell

v. Homecraft Land Dev., Inc., 749 S.W.2d 103, 112 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1987, writ denied)

(per curiam) (finding no error in the trial court’s action quashing a party’s attempts at

substituted service of non-party subpoenas due to the party’s failure to show due

diligence).

       As stated previously, we begin our review with the language of the rules at issue

and we construe them according to their plain meaning. In re Bridgestone Americas Tire

Operations, LLC, 459 S.W.3d at 569; In re Christus Spohn Hosp. Kleberg, 222 S.W.3d at

437. We begin our review with Rule 176.5, which governs the manner of service for

subpoenas. See TEX. R. CIV. P. 176.5. This rule states that:

       A subpoena may be served at any place within the State of Texas by any
       sheriff or constable of the State of Texas, or any person who is not a party
       and is 18 years of age or older. A subpoena must be served by delivering a
       copy to the witness and tendering to that person any fees required by law.
       If the witness is a party and is represented by an attorney of record in the
       proceeding, the subpoena may be served on the witness's attorney of
       record.

Id. R. 176.5(a). Rule 106, entitled “Method of Service,” is located in Section 5 of the

Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, which is entitled “Citation.” This rule allows for service

of citation by delivery, mail, and substituted service. Id. R. 106(a),(b). According to the

Texas Supreme Court, “Rule 106 by its terms applies solely to service of citation.” Zanchi

v. Lane, 408 S.W.3d 373, 380 (Tex. 2013) (rejecting the argument that a defendant

required to serve an expert report must comply with the service-of-citation requirements

of Rule 106).

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        In contrast, Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 205 governs discovery from nonparties.

See generally TEX. R. CIV. P. 205. Rule 205.1, entitled “Forms of Discovery; Subpoena

Requirement” expressly provides:

        A party may compel discovery from a non-party—that is, a person who is
        not a party or subject to a party’s control—only by obtaining a court order
        under Rules 196.7, 202, or 204, or by serving a subpoena compelling:

        (a)     an oral deposition;

        (b)     a deposition on written questions;

        (c)     a request for production of documents or tangible things, pursuant to
                Rule 199.2(b)(5) or Rule 200.1(b), served with a notice of deposition
                on oral examination or written questions; and

        (d)     a request for production of documents and tangible things under this
                rule.

Id. R. 205.14; see In re Guzman, 19 S.W.3d 522, 524 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 2000,

orig. proceeding). “Rule 205.1 limits what the trial court may order in relation to discovery

from a non-party.” In re Sun City Gun Exch., Inc., 545 S.W.3d 1, 6 (Tex. App.—El Paso

2017, orig. proceeding); see TEX. R. CIV. P. 205.1. According to the explicit terms of the

rule, a party may obtain discovery from a non-party “only” by court order or by serving a

subpoena. TEX. R. CIV. P. 205.1.

        Considering the rules in context, we observe that the Texas Rules of Civil

Procedure generally treat nonparties differently from parties or those subject to a party’s

control as may be seen with respect to, e.g., the locations for deposition, sanctions, and

compelling discovery. See id. R. 176.3, 199.2, 199.3, 205.1, 215.1, 215.2. Non-party

witnesses stand in a different position before the court than do parties to the litigation,

        4Under Rule 205.1, a party may compel discovery from a non-party by obtaining an order under
Rules 196.7, 202, or 204. TEX. R. CIV. P. 205.1; see id. R. 196.7, 202, 204. Rule 196.7 concerns a request
or motion for entry on property; Rule 202 governs depositions before suit or to investigate clams; and Rule
204 concerns physical and mental examinations. None of these rules are at issue in this case.

                                                   10
over whom the court has both personal and subject matter jurisdiction. See Haas v.

George, 71 S.W.3d 904, 915 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2002, no pet.); see also In re Prince,

No. 14-06-00895-CV, 2006 WL 3589484, at *4 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] Dec. 12,

2006, orig. proceeding) (mem. op.).

       Based on the plain language of the rules at issue and considering them in the

overall context of the rules of civil procedure, we reject Kenneth’s contention that the rules

allow for substituted service of a subpoena on a non-party witness. Kenneth argues that

the Dallas Court of Appeals indicated substituted service was appropriate for

subpoenaing non-party witnesses in Howell.         See 749 S.W.2d at 112.         There, the

appellant had filed a motion for new trial based on jury misconduct because two jurors

had reviewed a newspaper article pertaining to the underlying case. Id. at 111. Appellant

sought to serve subpoenas on several employees of the newspaper to compel them to

testify at the new trial hearing regarding what they knew about the article, but the trial

court quashed the subpoenas. Id. at 112. The court stated that:

       The record is very clear, however, that Howell was attempting to accomplish
       substituted service. The rules require a strict showing of the need for
       substituted service, and the trial court must order the substituted service.
       See TEX. R. CIV. P. 109a; In re Marriage of Peace, 631 S.W.2d 790, 792
       (Tex. App.—Amarillo 1982, no writ) (plaintiff must show reasonable
       diligence in locating whereabouts of defendant, and trial court must make
       its own inquiry into plaintiff’s diligence). Howell made no showing that he
       had exercised due diligence in serving the people that he wanted served,
       and never moved the trial court for leave to use substituted service.
       Therefore, the trial court properly quashed the subpoenas. Howell’s third
       point of error is overruled.

Id. The rule cited by the court, Rule 109a, concerns substituted service regarding citation

by publication. See TEX. R. CIV. P. 109a; see also id. R. 109. The Dallas court specifically

held that the appellant failed to meet the requirements for substituted service and did not

address or rule upon the threshold issue before us in this proceeding regarding the

                                             11
applicability of rules pertaining to substituted service of citation to subpoenas on non-

party witnesses. See Howell, 749 S.W.2d at 112. We disagree with Kenneth’s assertion

that Howell offers persuasive or compelling precedent regarding the issue before us.

       Finally, Kenneth contends that the trial court’s order for substituted service was

authorized by its inherent and discretionary powers. In addition to the express grants of

judicial power, a court may also exercise inherent and implied powers. Eichelberger v.

Eichelberger, 582 S.W.2d 395, 398 (Tex. 1979); In re State of Tex., 564 S.W.3d 58, 67

(Tex. App.—El Paso 2018, orig. proceeding). The inherent powers of a court are those

which it may call upon to aid in the exercise of its jurisdiction, in the administration of

justice, and in the preservation of its independence and integrity. Eichelberger, 582
S.W.2d at 398; In re State of Tex., 564 S.W.3d at 67. Texas courts have recognized

inherent power in the following instances: to change, set aside or otherwise control their

judgments; to summon and compel the attendance of witnesses; to regulate the

admission and practice of law; and to provide personnel to aid the court in the exercise

of its judicial function. In re State of Tex., 564 S.W.3d at 67; see Eichelberger, 582 S.W.2d

at 398–99 n.1.

       In considering a similar issue pertaining to discovery propounded to non-party

witnesses, we have previously rejected a similar argument that the trial court’s actions

were supported by its inherent and discretionary powers. In Guzman, we considered

whether the trial court had the authority to order a party to create authorizations to obtain

medical records in the possession of non-parties. In re Guzman, 19 S.W.3d at 525. We

concluded that the trial court erred because, while the trial court has “the power and duty

to control the discovery process, it can only do so within the confines of the rules of civil

procedure.” Id. Accordingly, we reject the real parties’ contention that substituted service

                                             12
of a deposition notice on a non-party witness was authorized by the rules under the facts

and circumstances of this case.

       We sustain relators’ first issue.

                            V. INADEQUATE REMEDY BY APPEAL

       Having concluded that the trial court abused its discretion in allowing substituted

service, we next address whether relators possess an adequate remedy by appeal to

remedy this error. Relators contend that once used, the improperly served deposition

notices and subpoenas cannot be “undone,” and further court intervention in discovery

will be required to remedy the confusion that ensues from the trial court’s order. Relators

assert that mandamus relief should be issued to avoid the confusion and waste of

resources that will ensue if the order stands. In contrast, Kenneth asserts that the order

at issue is “not a discovery order” but is rather “an order granting substituted service of a

non-party subpoena.” He contends, inter alia, that this Court previously held in a separate

case that there was an adequate remedy by appeal from an order denying a motion to

quash substituted service. See In re Pronto Gen. Agency, Ltd., No. 13-15-00225-CV,

2015 WL 5626246, at *1 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi Sept. 17, 2015, orig. proceeding)

(mem. op. per curiam).

       We determine the adequacy of a remedy by appeal by balancing the benefits of

mandamus review against the detriments given the specific circumstances of the case.

S.W.2d at 843. In this regard, we note that depositions, once taken, cannot be “untaken.”

See In re Jorden, 249 S.W.3d 416, 419 (Tex. 2008) (orig. proceeding); see In re Reassure

Am. Life Ins. Co., 421 S.W.3d 165, 171 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 2013, orig.

proceeding). Further, “mandamus is the proper remedy” for “[a] discovery order that

compels production beyond the rules of procedure.” In re Nat’l Lloyds Ins. Co., 449

                                             13
S.W.3d 486, 488 (Tex. 2014) (orig. proceeding); see In re Am. Optical Corp., 988 S.W.2d
711, 713 (Tex.1998) (orig. proceeding) (per curiam) (stating that “[a]n order compelling

discovery that is well outside the proper bounds is reviewable by mandamus”); Wal-Mart

Stores, Inc. v. Street, 754 S.W.2d 153, 155 (Tex.1988) (orig. proceeding) (per curiam)

(conditionally granting mandamus relief regarding the location of a deposition); see also

In re Bannum, Inc., No. 03-09-00512-CV, 2009 WL 8599250, at *1–2 (Tex. App.—Austin

Oct. 30, 2009, orig. proceeding) (mem. op) (conditionally granting mandamus relief

regarding an order requiring a non-party who did not live or work in Texas to appear in

Austin for a deposition); In re Prince, 2006 WL 3589484, at *1 (holding, in relevant part,

that “the trial court did not have the power to order a non-party witness to appear other

than as specified by the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure” and explaining that discovery

orders that are contrary to the rules of procedure are “reviewable by mandamus”).

      Mandamus is proper here because the order is not permitted by the Texas Rules

of Civil Procedure and because any discovery undertaken pursuant to the order cannot

be undone. Further, Lawrence, as a non-party to the case, would have no right to appeal

and therefore no adequate appellate remedy otherwise exists. See City of Houston v.

Chambers, 899 S.W.2d 306, 308 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1995, orig.

proceeding) (because the city was not a party to the lawsuit, it “has no adequate remedy

by appeal, [and] mandamus may lie”); see also In re Prince, 2006 WL 3589484, at *1.

And finally, relators should not incur the additional time and expense required to respond

to discovery subpoenas and deposition notices that have not been properly served, and

of which the intended recipient may lack notice; particularly where, as here, there is no

evidence establishing Lawrence’s residence. See In re Team Rocket, L.P., 256 S.W.3d
257, 262 (Tex. 2008) (orig. proceeding); In re Prudential, 148 S.W.3d at 136. Accordingly,

                                           14
we conclude that relators lack an adequate remedy by appeal. We sustain relators’ fourth

issue.

         Having sustained relators’ first and fourth issues, we need not address their

remaining issues. See TEX. R. APP. P. 47.4.

                                      VI. CONCLUSION

         The Court, having examined and fully considered the petition for writ of mandamus,

the response, the reply, and the applicable law, is of the opinion that relators have met

their burden to obtain mandamus relief. Accordingly, we lift the stay previously imposed

in this case. We conditionally grant the writ of mandamus and direct the trial court to

vacate its order of March 4, 2019, allowing substituted service. Our writ will issue only if

the trial court fails to comply.

                                                        GREGORY T. PERKES
                                                        Justice

Delivered and filed the
16th day of April, 2019.

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