Power Train, Inc. v. Stuver
Power Train, Inc. v. Stuver
Concurring Opinion
(concurring in the remand).
I concur in the remand to determine if a stay of proceedings, rather than outright dismissal, should maintain, under the particular circumstances of this specific case, but do not subscribe necessarily to the rationale or authorities mentioned in the main opinion.
Opinion of the Court
An order of the trial court is here by way of intermediate appeal. The order
Defendant Stuver filed an action in California on November 1, 1974, seeking rescission of two assignments to plaintiffs concerning certain patented inventions. Plaintiffs filed an answer on December 10, 1974, asserting certain affirmative defenses but no counterclaim.
Plaintiffs filed the instant action on June 23, 1975. In their complaint, they set forth 15 separate counts of tortious conduct of defendant; many of the counts involved misrepresentation with respect to the inventions assigned. Defendant filed a motion to dismiss on the ground that the same issues and parties were involved in a prior lawsuit pending in California.
The trial court found the same parties and same issues were involved in the pending lawsuit in California, and all 15 causes of action in the complaint arose out of the same series of transactions or occurrences as the cause of action filed by Stuver in California. The complaint was further found to be related to the defenses that plaintiffs had asserted in general terms in their answer filed in the. California action. The trial court ruled the 15 causes of action alleged in plaintiffs’ complaint were compulsory counterclaims, which should have been filed in the California action, and the principles of comity required dismissal of the Utah action.
On appeal, plaintiffs contend that even if the action in California were deemed to involve the identical parties, issues, and relief, such a determination would not constitute grounds for a dismissal. This point is well taken.
The dismissal of an action, although without prejudice, constitutes an abatement for the time being. It is the equivalent of the common law plea in abatement. A dismissal not only postpones the action as a stay might have done, it discontinues the complaint completely, so as an entirely new suit must be instituted to bring the cause before the court again.
In Upton v. Heiselt Construction Company,
A pending action in another state may be grounds for a stay of the proceedings but not for a dismissal.
The matter of granting a stay, when an action is pending in another jurisdiction is addressed to the sound discretion of the trial court.
. In exercising its discretion the court should consider the importance of discouraging multiple litigation designed solely to harass an adverse party, and of avoiding unseemly conflicts with the courts of other jurisdictions. It should also consider whether the rights of the parties can best be determined by the court of the other jurisdiction because of the nature of the subject matter, the availability of witnesses, or the stage to which the proceedings in the other court have already advanced. [Citations]9
In General Foods Corporation v. CryoMaid, Inc.,
The trial court erred in dismissing this action. Upon remand, the propriety of a stay, if such be requested, is to be addressed to the discretion of the trial judge. Costs are awarded to plaintiffs.
. Fitch v. Whaples, Maine, 220 A.2d 170 (Me. 1966).
. 3 Utah 2d 170, 174, 280 P.2d 971 (1955).
. See Restatement, Conflicts, 2d, Sec. 86.
. 3 Beale, Conflict of Laws, Sec. 619.1, p. 1662 (1935) ; also see Ehrenzweig, Conflict of Laws 128 (1962) ; Leñar, American Conflicts Law, 169-170 (1968).
. Thomson v. Continental Insurance Company, 66 Cal.2d 738, 59 Cal.Rptr. 101, 427 P.2d 765 (1971); Farmers Union Cooperative Elevator and Shipping Association v. Grain Dealers Mutual Insurance Co., 194 Kan. 181, 398 P.2d 571 (1965).
. Stimson, Conflict of Laws 363-364 (1963); Thomson v. Continental Insurance Co., Id., footnote 4 at p. 107 of 59 CaLRptr., at p. 771 of 427 P.2d.
. Thomson v. Continental Insurance Co., Id.
. Henry v. Stewart, 203 Kan. 289, 454 P.2d 7 (1969).
. Farmland Irrigation Co. Inc. v. Dopplmaier, 48 Cal.2d 208, 308 P.2d 732, 736, 66 A.L.R. 2d 590 (1957).
. 41 Del.Ch. 474, 198 A.2d 681, 684 (1964).
. For an application of these factors, see Sperry Rand Corporation v. United Engines, Inc., Del.Super., 261 A.2d 527 (1969); Fenix & Scisson, Inc. v. Underground Storage, Inc., Del.Super., 262 A.2d 260 (1970).
Reference
- Full Case Name
- POWER TRAIN, INC., and Jack H. Wynn, Plaintiffs and Appellants, v. Paul M. STUVER, Defendant and Respondent
- Cited By
- 4 cases
- Status
- Published