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Phillips Energy Partners, LLC v. Milton Crow Ltd. Partnership

Citations: 186 So. 3d 1148; 2015 La. LEXIS 2142; 2015 WL 6114259Docket: No. 2015-C-1396

Court: Supreme Court of Louisiana; October 2, 2015; Louisiana; State Supreme Court

Narrative Opinion Summary

Concurring with the denial of the writ application, Crichton, J. emphasizes that the request to re-evaluate the evidence lacks merit under Rule X. A thorough review of the record confirms that the lower courts applied the law correctly. Specifically, the “shortest route” rule under La. C.C. art. 692 is not absolute. Evidence supported the trial court's findings that Route 1, despite being the shortest, had significant environmental and accessibility issues; Route 2 raised notable safety and maintenance concerns; and Route 3 emerged as the optimal choice, causing the least harm, based on the trial court's thoughtful analysis.

Legal Issues Addressed

Application of the 'Shortest Route' Rule under La. C.C. art. 692

Application: The court found that while the 'shortest route' rule is a consideration, it is not an absolute requirement when weighed against other factors such as environmental, accessibility, safety, and maintenance concerns.

Reasoning: Specifically, the 'shortest route' rule under La. C.C. art. 692 is not absolute.

Evaluation of Route Options Based on Environmental, Accessibility, Safety, and Maintenance Concerns

Application: The trial court's analysis found that Route 1 had environmental and accessibility issues, Route 2 had safety and maintenance concerns, and Route 3 was chosen as the optimal route causing the least harm.

Reasoning: Evidence supported the trial court's findings that Route 1, despite being the shortest, had significant environmental and accessibility issues; Route 2 raised notable safety and maintenance concerns; and Route 3 emerged as the optimal choice, causing the least harm, based on the trial court's thoughtful analysis.

Review of Writ Applications under Rule X

Application: The court's decision to deny the writ application was based on a determination that the request to re-evaluate evidence was without merit.

Reasoning: Concurring with the denial of the writ application, Crichton, J. emphasizes that the request to re-evaluate the evidence lacks merit under Rule X.