S. & R. Gas Co. v. Stephens
S. & R. Gas Co. v. Stephens
Opinion of the Court
We granted certiorari in this case to review the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Second Circuit, wherein the district court’s judgment dismissing plaintiffs’ suit
After the record had been lodged in this Court (January 29, 1957) the plaintiffs, invoking a provision of the Code of Prac
In answer to this motion the defendants denied that the sale by John Stephens constituted or was intended as an acquiescence in the decree of the Court of Appeal by either defendant, asserting that it represented no action whatever on the part of the father, and that it could not be construed as acquiescence on the part of the son because the judgment neither ordered him to sell the property nor enjoined his continued ownership thereof; and, moreover, that surely neither defendant could be presumed to have intended to abandon the right of appeal from a judgment which practically foreclosed against them the issue of a breach of contract in a potential suit for damages. It is therefore urged that we review the record for the purpose of correcting alleged errors in the opinion of the Court of Appeal; but in the alternative, admitting that the issue is moot and abstract “because, and only because, plaintiffs no longer have need of an injunction to protect any rights which they claim,” defendants urge that to merely recall the writ of review would leave in effect the ban of an injunction against John S. Stephens “not to compete” for a period of some three remaining years, despite his consistent and vigorous contention that the Eagle Gas Company was his own separate business conducted by him for his own benefit; and that this Court should either dismiss plaintiffs’ suit or remand the case to the District Court with instructions that it be there dismissed.
While there is obviously no merit in plaintiffs’ contention that the defendants have acquiesced in the decree of the Court of Appeal,
For the reasons assigned, the judgment of the Court of Appeal is annulled and set aside and the case is ordered dismissed. Availing ourselves of the provisions of R. S. 13:4444, the costs are to be divided equally among the parties plaintiff and defendant.
. The plaintiffs are F. J. Roberson, a resident of Red River Parish, S. & R. Gas Company, Inc. and Campti Butane, Inc., Louisiana corporations domiciled in Jefferson Parish.
. By the specific terms of the agreement, Albert L. Stephens obligated himself to S. & R. Gas Co., the Campti Butane, Inc., “and to F. J. Roberson, not to independently, that is in his own name, or through a corporation in which he owns stock, or a partnership in which he has an interest, engage in the liquefied petroleum business for a period of five years from the date hereof in the area served by the S. & R. Gas Company, Inc., and the Campti Butane, Inc.”
. “Tlie party against whom judgment has been rendered can not appeal: 1. If such judgment have been confessed by him, or if he have acquiesced in the same, by executing it voluntarily. * * * ” Art. 567, Louisiana Code of Practice.
. The jurisprudence relied on by plaintiffs, a group of cases wherein the provisions of Article 567 of the Code of Practice were given effect and the. appeal dimissed, presented factual situations where the act sought to be pro
Reference
- Full Case Name
- S. & R. GAS COMPANY v. Albert L. STEPHENS
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- 1 case
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- Published