Court Opinion

ID: 9607404
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 02:58:17.911958+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:02:38.588907
License: Public Domain

WOOD, Judge, Court of Appeals (dissenting) . Section 21-1-1(41) (e), N.M.S.A.1953, does not state that only matters in the court file are to be considered in ruling on a motion to dismiss. Whether the party opposing the motion claims inability to comply (the negative aspect, see Ringle Development Corp. v. Chavez, 51 N.M. 156, 180 P.2d 790) or diligence that is compliance (the positive aspect, see Featherstone v. Hanson, 65 N.M. 398, 338 P.2d 298), the motion is to be decided on the basis of what is “made to appear” to the trial court. How is anything “made to appear” to the trial court? By pleadings, motions, testimony, exhibits, admissions, etc. Whatever is presented to the court, it becomes a part of the record. In considering the rule, Ringle referred to “the record.” However, Featherstone limited that which could be considered to the court file, or record proper. Section 21-2-1(13), N.M.S.A. 1953. This limitation has been imposed as a matter of practice. Sarikey v. Sandoval, 75 N.M. 271, 404 P.2d 108. In this case, plaintiff wrote letters to the trial court requesting that the case be heard. The trial judge answered those letters. In court for docket call at opening of term, plaintiff orally requested a trial setting. These requests were made before the motion to dismiss was filed. This court has held that a motion requesting a trial setting which appears in the court file prior to the motion to dismiss is sufficient to prevent dismissal under the rule. Procter v. Fez Club, 76 N.M. 241, 414 P.2d 219. Plaintiff’s requests to the trial judge show more diligence than is shown by a motion for trial setting which is filed but not brought to the court’s attention. The rule states that it is to be applied on the basis of what is “made to appear” to the trial court. Under the rule the trial court should permit evidence to be introduced on the question of dismissal, and from that evidence, should determine as a fact whether there has been compliance or inability to comply. I would remand this case to the trial court to determine, as a fact, whether there should be a dismissal. The majority follow the limitation imposed by Featherstone. Being of the opinion that plaintiff was not limited to the record proper in opposing the motion to dismiss. I dissent.