Court Opinion

ID: 7957208
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-09-09 00:19:27.876002+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:34:18.626499
License: Public Domain

Per Curiam.
Plaintiffs appeal from an order dismissing their action for failure to appear on date of trial. Pursuant to GCR 1963, 820.1(7), we order reinstatement of this action and remand it for trial.
By stipulation filed July 31, 1969, counsel for the parties adjourned the original trial date from August 21, 1969, to November 17, 1969. The trial court file discloses no order pursuant to this stipulation, which probably accounts for the fact that plaintiffs’ counsel was assigned for trial on another case on November 12, 1969. Pursuant to local rule, plaintiffs’ counsel, on learning of the conflicting assignments, sought a second adjournment from the presiding judge. Although defendants consented to the adjournment, it was not granted. Plaintiffs’ counsel’s engagement in a jury trial in another court prevented his appearance on November 17, 1969, for trial of this action.
The Wayne Circuit Court must have local rules to control the flow of litigation. Those rules were followed in this case; they would not have been followed had the presiding judge known that this action was adjourned for trial on November 17, 1969, as far back as July 31, 1969. An order pursuant to the stipulation of July 31, 1969 would have disclosed this fact to the presiding judge. Plaintiffs’ action is lost unless it is reinstated. Defendants did not oppose the appellate relief sought, so no costs are awarded.