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Bridges v. Kitchen

Citation: 451 So. 2d 867Docket: Nos. 83-365, 83-1741

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida; September 28, 1983; Florida; State Appellate Court

Narrative Opinion Summary

This judicial opinion concerns procedural complexities arising from a mistaken withdrawal of a notice of appeal by cross-appellants, resulting in the dismissal of Case No. 83-365. The cross-appellants filed a motion to correct the error, revealing that the notice was intended for an interlocutory appeal in Case No. 83-1741. Consequently, the court vacated the dismissal order for Case No. 83-365 and dismissed Case No. 83-1741. The court determined that the appeal in Case No. 83-365 pertained to a non-final order, thus reclassifying the cross-appeal as an interlocutory appeal concerning an injunction issued on March 8, 1983. The cross-appellants are required to file the notice with the trial court clerk within ten days to validate the appeal from the March 8 order, retroactive to the original filing date. Upon payment of the filing fee, the appeal will be consolidated with Case No. 83-365. The previously submitted brief in Case No. 83-365 will be used for the new appeal, while opposing counsel must submit an answer brief within fifteen days post-consolidation. The court's procedural adjustments ensure proper appellate review and adherence to filing requirements.

Legal Issues Addressed

Brief Submission for Consolidated Appeals

Application: The brief submitted in the initial case will serve in the new appeal, and opposing counsel is given a deadline to respond.

Reasoning: The cross-appellants’ brief already submitted in 83-365 will serve as their brief in the new appeal, and the attorney for appellants in 83-365 will have fifteen days after the consolidation to file an answer brief.

Consolidation of Appeals

Application: The court orders the consolidation of the interlocutory appeal with the original case upon the payment of the filing fee.

Reasoning: Upon the payment of the filing fee, the appeal will be processed and consolidated with Case No. 83-365.

Dismissal and Reclassification of Appeals

Application: The dismissal of Case No. 83-1741 is confirmed, and the cross-appeal in Case No. 83-365 is reclassified as an interlocutory appeal.

Reasoning: As a result, the dismissal order from September 22, 1983, is vacated, and Case No. 83-1741 is dismissed.

Filing Requirements for Interlocutory Appeals

Application: The court mandates the filing of a notice with the trial court clerk within a specified timeframe to ensure proper processing of the appeal.

Reasoning: Cross-appellants must file a copy of this notice with the trial court clerk within ten days to ensure it is processed as an appeal from the March 8 order, retroactive to the original filing date of March 29, 1983.

Motion to Correct Errors in Case Filing

Application: The court allowed the correction of an erroneously submitted withdrawal notice, leading to the vacating of a dismissal order.

Reasoning: They have since filed a motion to correct, indicating the withdrawal was inadvertently submitted in the wrong case instead of their interlocutory appeal, Case No. 83-1741.