Court Opinion

ID: 9759058
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 00:01:58.624469+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:28:58.683020
License: Public Domain

Per Curiam. Appellants Glenn David Woods and Leann B. Woods filed a motion for rule on the clerk seeking an order of this court that the Arkansas Supreme Court Clerk accept their record and transcript for fifing. Appellants attempted to file their record and transcript on June 19, 2006, under an extension of time granted by the circuit court on March 16, 2006, pursuant to a motion for extension under Ark. R. App. P — Civ. 5(b). The clerk refused the fifing because there was no finding by the circuit court in the order granting the extension that “all parties had the opportunity to be heard on the motion, either at a hearing or by responding in writing” as required in Ark. R. App. P.-Civ. 5(b)(1)(C). Appellants assert that the record shows that opposing counsel was served with the motion for extension of time when the motion was filed on February 24, 2006. Appellants argue that opposing counsel thus had an opportunity to be heard and elected not to respond to the motion. Arkansas Rules of Appellate Procedure-Civil 5(b)(1)(C) provides in relevant part: (b) Extension of time. (1) If any party has designated stenographicaily reported material for inclusion in the record on appeal, the circuit court, by order entered before expiration of the period... may extend the time for filing the record only if it makes the following findings: (C) All parties have had the opportunity to be heard on the motion, either at a hearing or by responding in writing.  Strict compliance with the requirements of Rule 5(b) is required. Hairgrove v. Oden, 365 Ark. 53, 223 S.W.3d 827 (2006) (per curiam). Granting of an extension is not a mere formality. Id. Under Ark. R. App. P.-Civ. 5(b)(1), an extension of time maybe granted only if the circuit court makes the findings set out in the rule, including a finding that all parties have had the opportunity to be heard on the motion, either at a hearing or by responding in writing. Proof of service of the motion for an extension of time under Ark. R. App. P.-Civ. 5(b) is not a finding by the circuit court. Accordingly, we remand this matter to the circuit court for compliance with Rule 5(b)(1)(C). Gunter, J., concurs.