Martinez v. López
Martinez v. López
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the court.
The appellee moved for the dismissal of the appeal on the ground that the transcript was not filed within the time allowed by law and the appellant opposed the motion. The record shows that judgment was rendered on February 26, 1923, and. the appeal was taken on March 26, 1923. The appellant elected to have the stenographer prepare the transcript of the evidence. The stenographer was allowed twenty days and after this time had expired he informed the court at the request of the appellant on April 18th that he had been unable to prepare the transcript and asked for an extension. The court denied the request. The appellant filed a motion for reconsideration and the court reaffirmed its decision, citing the cases of Mercado et al. v. Succession of Ferreiro, 26 P. R. R. 433, and Viera & Co., v. Reyes, 28 P. R. R. 74.
That being the case, the thirty day's allowed by law for filing the transcript of the record in the office of the secretary of this court having expired, a period which is computed from the date of the notice of appeal when, as in this case, .there is no statement of the case, the appeal must be dismissed.
But the appellant insists that the record shows only delay on the part of the stenographer and that in accordance with Act No. 81 of 1919, such delay can not prejudice him.
Both the former law on the matter, Act No. 27 of 1917, and also Act No. 81 of 1919 which the appellant cites have been construed by this court adversely to the appellant. See the cases cited by the trial judge.
It is true that section 3 of Act No. 27 of 1917, as amended by section 1 of Act No. 81 of 1919, provides that “in no case shall the delay of the stenographer in preparing the said transcript constitute a legal reason for dismissing an appeal.” It is also true that “delay” is defined by IDs-
The appellant’s contention being devoid of merit, the appeal must be dismissed for the reason given by the ap-pellee.
Appeal dismissed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.