Byrd v. Goodman

Decision Date15 May 1941
Docket Number13565.
Citation15 S.E.2d 619,192 Ga. 466
PartiesBYRD v. GOODMAN.
CourtGeorgia Supreme Court

Lester Dickson, of Fayetteville, for plaintiff in error.

W B. Hollingsworth, of Fayetteville, for defendant in error.

Syllabus Opinion by the Court

BELL Justice.

1. While no motion has been made to dismiss the writ of error yet it is the duty of this court 'to raise the question of its jurisdiction in all cases in which there may be any doubt as to the existence of such jurisdiction' (Welborne v. State, 114 Ga. 793, 796, 40 S.E. 857 859); and where it is apparent that jurisdiction to decide the case does not exist, there is no lawful course except to dismiss the writ of error ex mero motu. Gilbert v Tippens, 183 Ga. 497(3), 188 S.E. 699; Etheridge v. Henderson, 188 Ga. 189(2), 3 S.E.2d 674.

2. The exception is to a judgment sustaining a general demurrer and dismissing the plaintiff's petition. The judgment was rendered on August 24, 1940. The bill of exceptions was certified on September 21, 1940, and filed in the office of the clerk of the trial court on October 5, 1940. The clerk of that court was required by statute (Code, §6-1001) to transmit the bill of exceptions with the record to the clerk of the Supreme Court within ten days from such filing, the record in the instant case being set forth in the bill of exceptions. The clerk did not transmit the same until fourteen days after such filing, and because of this fact the bill of exceptions was not received by the clerk of the Supreme Court until after close of the docket of the September term, 1940, to which the case was returnable under the law; such docket having closed by standing order at noon October 19, 1940. Code, § 24-4533. The only reason for the delay certified by the clerk was the 'press of other business.' See Ga.L.1935, p. 1238; Ga.Code, Ann.Pocket Part, § 2-3006. Held, that in the circumstances this court has no jurisdiction of the case, and the writ of error must be dismissed. Savannah Electric Co. v. Tuck, 132 Ga. 48, 63 S.E. 800; Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Co. v. Georgia Sweet Potato Growers Association, 171 Ga. 30, 154 S.E. 698; Griffeth v. House, 172 Ga. 662, 158 S.E. 414; Fuqua v. Hadden, 190 Ga. 361, 9 S.E.2d 243.

3. The case is not one falling under the Code, § 6-903, as to which the clerk shall transmit the bill of exceptions and transcript of record 'within 15 days' from service of the bill of exceptions. Johnson v. Cravey, 120 Ga 1047(2), 48 S.E. 424; Town of Alapaha v. Paulk, 130 Ga. 595(2), 61 S.E. 401; DeVane v. Fambrough, ...

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10 cases
  • City Stores Co. v. Henderson, 42819
    • United States
    • Georgia Court of Appeals
    • June 15, 1967
    ...this court to inquire into its jurisdiction to entertain each appeal and review the alleged errors of the trial court. Byrd v. Goodman, 192 Ga. 466(1), 15 S.E.2d 619.' Elliott v. Leathers, 115 Ga.App. 352, 154 S.E.2d 694. This inquiry involves the matter of whether our jurisdiction may have......
  • McAlister v. Clifton
    • United States
    • Georgia Supreme Court
    • May 17, 2022
    ...thus must be determined before a court addresses the merits of a claim." (citation and punctuation omitted)); Byrd v. Goodman , 192 Ga. 466, 466-467 (1), 15 S.E.2d 619 (1941) ("[I]t is the duty of this court to raise the question of its jurisdiction in all cases in which there may be any do......
  • McAlister v. Clifton
    • United States
    • Georgia Supreme Court
    • April 19, 2022
    ... ... before a court addresses the merits of a claim." ... (citation and punctuation omitted)); Byrd v ... Goodman , 192 Ga. 466, 466 (15 S.E.2d 619) (1941) ... ("[I]t is the duty of this court to raise the question ... of its ... ...
  • Florida State Hospital for the Insane v. Durham Iron Co.
    • United States
    • Georgia Supreme Court
    • June 20, 1941
  • Request a trial to view additional results

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