Court Opinion

ID: 9773320
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 17:42:05.123425+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:31:50.015033
License: Public Domain

BROCK, Justice,
concurring.
I concur in the decision of the Court affirming the decree of the Court of Appeals. However, I deem it advisable to state my views respecting the acquisition and exercise of jurisdiction by this Court in cases brought to it by petition for certiorari from the Court of Appeals and the Court of Criminal Appeals, since they differ considerably from the views stated in the opinion of the Court.
By “jurisdiction” I mean “lawful authority to act”; indeed the word is derived from the Latin “juris” and “dico,” and means “To speak by the law.” 50 C.J.S. 1089. I think it important to distinguish between the jurisdiction of this Court to entertain, i. e., grant or deny, a petition for certiorari and its jurisdiction to determine the merits of the case in question.
Jurisdiction to entertain such petitions is granted by T.C.A. §§ 27-819 — 27-823 and T.C.A. § 16-452.1 But, jurisdiction to determine the merits of the case is not finally acquired unless and until this Court grants the writ of certiorari. The mere filing of a petition for certiorari with the clerk of this Court does not confer jurisdiction to determine the merits of the case; that jurisdiction is acquired under the statutes only if “The Supreme Court, or any judge thereof . ” shall “. . . require, by (granting the writ of) certiorari, the removal to that court for review” of the case in *550question. In my view, this has been the consistent understanding and holding of this Court for many years. Cantrell v. Louisville & N. R. Co., 179 Tenn. 180, 163 S.W.2d 824 (1942); Kendall Oil Co. v. Payne, 200 Tenn. 600, 293 S.W.2d 43 (1956); McAllester v. McAllester, 217 Tenn. 226, 396 S.W.2d 363 (1965); Red Top Cab Co. v. Garsides, 155 Tenn. 614, 298 S.W. 263 (1927). I think it is a serious mistake to depart from it. Confusion is bound to result from the departure suggested in the opinion of the Court; this very case is ample proof of that.
Of course, this Court and any judge thereof may file an opinion upon the occasion of the denial of a writ of certiorari. But it is my view that such opinion should be limited to a statement of the reasons for refusal to take jurisdiction of the merits of the case; anything more is dictum and amounts to an advisory opinion which we are not authorized to give. Crane Enamelware Co. v. Smith, 168 Tenn. 203, 76 S.W.2d 644 (1934); Reed v. Rhea County et al., 189 Tenn. 247, 225 S.W.2d 49 (1949).
I am authorized to state that Chief Justice COOPER concurs in this concurring opinion.

. T.C.A. § 27-819:
“Review of Court of Appeals by Supreme Court. — The Supreme Court, or any judge thereof, shall have the right to require, by certiorari, the removal to that court for review of any case that has been finally determined in the Court of Appeals, upon a sworn petition for this purpose filed in the Supreme Court, which petition shall state the substance of the case to be decided, and shall be accompanied by assignments of error and brief in conformity with such rules as the Supreme Court may prescribe; and there shall be no other method of review.”
T.C.A. § 16-452:
“Certiorari from Supreme Court. — The Supreme Court or any judge thereof, shall have the right to require by certiorari, the removal to that court for review of any case that has been finally determined in the Court of Criminal Appeals, upon a sworn petition for this purpose addressed and filed with the clerk of the Supreme Court. The petition for certio-rari shall state the substance of the issues in the case to be decided, and shall be accompanied by assignments of error and brief in conformity with such rules as the Supreme Court may prescribe, and there shall be no other method of review. Upon such writ of certiorari being granted, the original transcript and bill of exceptions filed in the Court of Criminal Appeals, the opinion, order and judgment of that court shall be filed in the Supreme Court, and the same shall constitute the entire record to be filed and reviewed by the Supreme Court. No further cost bond shall be required therefor, and the sureties on the appeal bond in connection with the appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeals shall likewise be liable on their surety bond for the costs incurred in connection with the review by the Supreme Court.”