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Spriggs Enterprises, Inc. v. Malbis Plantation, Inc.

Citations: 502 So. 2d 374; 1987 Ala. LEXIS 4142Docket: 85-133

Court: Supreme Court of Alabama; January 15, 1987; Alabama; State Supreme Court

Narrative Opinion Summary

The appeal was dismissed because it was filed more than 42 days after the trial judge denied the Appellant’s motion for relief from judgment under Rule 60(b) of the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure. The Appellee's motion to dismiss was granted based on the precedent set in Brown v. Martin, 394 So.2d 375 (Ala.Civ. App. 1980), cert. denied, 394 So.2d 377 (Ala. 1981). Although the Appellant argued that the appeal was timely since it was filed within 42 days of the denial of its reconsideration motion, the court noted that the amendments to Rule 4(a)(3) of the Alabama Rules of Appellate Procedure allow for the suspension of the appeal filing timeline when certain post-judgment motions are pending. However, this suspension does not apply during the reconsideration of a denied Rule 60(b) motion. All justices concurred with the decision.

Legal Issues Addressed

Binding Precedent—Brown v. Martin

Application: The court granted the motion to dismiss by following the precedent established in Brown v. Martin.

Reasoning: The Appellee's motion to dismiss was granted based on the precedent set in Brown v. Martin, 394 So.2d 375 (Ala.Civ. App. 1980), cert. denied, 394 So.2d 377 (Ala. 1981).

Effect of Motions for Reconsideration on Appeal Timelines

Application: The court clarified that filing a motion for reconsideration after denial of a Rule 60(b) motion does not extend or suspend the time for filing a notice of appeal.

Reasoning: However, this suspension does not apply during the reconsideration of a denied Rule 60(b) motion.

Timeliness of Appeals under Alabama Rules of Appellate Procedure Rule 4(a)(3)

Application: The court applied the rule that the 42-day period for filing an appeal is not suspended by a motion for reconsideration of a denied Rule 60(b) motion.

Reasoning: The appeal was dismissed because it was filed more than 42 days after the trial judge denied the Appellant’s motion for relief from judgment under Rule 60(b) of the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure.

Unanimity of the Court

Application: All justices agreed with the dismissal of the appeal.

Reasoning: All justices concurred with the decision.