Johnson v. Clements

Decision Date25 June 1975
Docket NumberNo. 1,No. 50792,50792,1
CourtGeorgia Court of Appeals
PartiesBertha JOHNSON v. Minnie L. CLEMENTS

Hartley & McNatt, Hugh B. McNatt, Lyons, for appellant.

Jack J. Helms, Homerville, for appellee.

WEBB, Judge.

1. The duty of supervising the filing of the transcript of the evidence and proceedings rests with the trial court. Code Ann. § 6-809(b); Rule 11(c), Rules of the Supreme Court and of the Court of Appeals (Code Ann. §§ 24-4511, 3611); Southeastern Plumbing Supply Co. v. Lee, 232 Ga. 626, 208 S.E.2d 449; Candler v. Orkin, 129 Ga.App. 721, 722(1), 200 S.E.2d 909. It is the duty of the trial court to grant such extensions of time, properly applied for, as may be necessary to enable the court reporter to complete the transcript (Code Ann. § 6-806; Elliott v. Leathers, 223 Ga. 497, 501(2b), 156 S.E.2d 440), 'but the trial court may, after notice and opportunity for hearing, order that the appeal be dismissed where there has been an unreasonable delay in the filing of such transcript and it is shown that the delay was inexcusable and was caused by such party . . .' Code Ann. § 6-809(b). This is a fact issue for determination in the trial court (Southeastern Plumbing Supply Co. v. Lee, 232 Ga. 626, 208 S.E.2d 449, supra) which will not be disturbed unless there has been an abuse of discretion. Rogers v. McDonald, 226 Ga. 329(2), 175 S.E.2d 25; Azar v. Baird, 232 Ga. 81, 205 S.E.2d 273; Dunbar v. Green, 232 Ga. 188, 205 S.E.2d 854. The fact that extensions of time for filing the transcript have been obtained does not excuse unreasonable delay in filing it. Cox Enterprises, Inc. v. Southland, Inc.,226 Ga. 794, 796(2), 177 S.E.2d 653.

2. 'The order granting an extension of time shall be promptly filed with the clerk of the trial court, and the party securing it shall serve copies thereof on all other parties in the manner hereinafter prescribed.' Code Ann. § 6-804.

3. In the instant case appellant obtained a plethora of extension orders, some of which were not filed with the clerk or served upon the opposite party as required by statute; and the transcript has never been filed, although more than a year and a half has elapsed since the verdict was returned and judgment was entered, and more than a year has elapsed since the motion for new trial was overruled. Accordingly the trial court did not abuse its discretion in dismissing this stale appeal after notice and...

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  • CENTRAL OF GEORGIA RR v. DEC ASSOC.
    • United States
    • Georgia Court of Appeals
    • March 31, 1998
    ...the sound discretion of the trial court. ITT Indus. Credit Co. v. Burnham, 152 Ga.App. 641, 263 S.E.2d 482 (1979); Johnson v. Clements, 135 Ga.App. 495, 218 S.E.2d 109 (1975). In the exercise of its discretion, the trial court must determine if the delay was unreasonable by examining both t......
  • Gilman Paper Co. v. James, 30202
    • United States
    • Georgia Supreme Court
    • October 1, 1975
    ...the trial court's ruling on this question to the appropriate appellate court.' (Emphasis supplied.) See, e.g., Johnson v. Clements, 135 Ga.App. 495, 218 S.E.2d 109 (1975). Appellant first contends the evidence is legally insufficient to suthorize the verdict and judgment in favor of the app......
  • S & S Food Services, Inc. v. Department of Transp.
    • United States
    • Georgia Court of Appeals
    • August 21, 1996
    ...the trial court's determination. Merrill Lynch, etc. v. Echols, 138 Ga.App. 593, 594(2), 226 S.E.2d 742 (1976); Johnson v. Clements, 135 Ga.App. 495, 218 S.E.2d 109 (1975). "In reviewing a finding of unreasonable and inexcusable delay in filing a transcript, this court will not disturb the ......
  • Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. v. Echols
    • United States
    • Georgia Court of Appeals
    • April 5, 1976
    ...208 S.E.2d 449, 451. See also Bratten Apparel, Inc. v. Lyons Textile Mill, Inc., 129 Ga.App. 384(2), 199 S.E.2d 632; Johnson v. Clements, 135 Ga.App. 495(1), 218 S.E.2d 109. 2. The appellant contends that the trial court was not authorized to dismiss its complaint, since no order compelling......
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