Court Opinion

ID: 9781217
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-30 16:23:38.507153+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:34:21.452447
License: Public Domain

Justice PLEICONES.
I agree with the Court of Appeals’ ruling that the hearing judge did not abuse his discretion in denying petitioner’s motion to dismiss, and thus concur in the result reached by the majority in that regard. Having answered the question upon which review was granted, I would not seek to provide a procedure to govern the disposition of such motions in future cases.
However, as a prospective procedure has been set forth, I address that portion of the opinion. I agree with the majority that Rule 41(b), SCRCP, authorizes a court to specify its dismissal is without prejudice. I note, however, that the default standard is that the grant of a motion to dismiss operates as adjudication on the merits, i.e., a dismissal with prejudice. In other words, a trial judge is invested with the authority to exercise his discretion in such matters, and I *263would not deprive the judge of that authority by mandating the dismissal be without prejudice.
Furthermore, I would not mandate a standard procedure for dealing with the disposition of the case in the event the trial judge exercises his discretion to grant a motion without prejudice. In short, I would not require a specific result where the exercise of discretion is allowed.
For the foregoing reasons, I concur only in the result reached in this case.