Knowles v. Gilbert, 66-1071

Decision Date09 April 1968
Docket NumberNo. 66-1071,66-1071
Citation208 So.2d 660
PartiesWilliam KNOWLES, Appellant, v. John GILBERT, Dan Diebert and P. J. Benedetto, Appellees.
CourtFlorida District Court of Appeals

Effie Knowles, Miami, for appellant.

Wicker, Smith, Pyszka, Blomqvist & Davant; John S. Lloyd, Miami, for appellees.

Before CHARLES CARROLL, C. J., and PEARSON and SWANN, JJ.

CHARLES CARROLL, Chief Judge.

Appellant seeks reversal of an order denying her motion to vacate an order which dismissed the cause for want of prosecution under § 45.19 Fla.Stat., F.S.A., and rule 1.35(e) F.R.C.P., 30 F.S.A., and for reinstatement of the cause.

The action was commenced July 21, 1965. An amended complaint was filed September 1, 1965. A motion to dismiss, addressed thereto, was filed September 3, 1965. A similar motion, with a motion to strike, was filed by another defendant on September 10, 1965. No action was then taken until September 9, 1966, when the plaintiff filed a notice on hearing of said motions. That notice was filed on the 365th day after the prior pleading. Thereafter the defendants separately filed motions to dismiss the cause for want of prosecution under the above cited statute and rule. On October 3, 1966, the trial court granted the motions and dismissed the cause. The plaintiff filed a timely petition to reinstate the cause of action, alleging the circumstances recited above and citing and relying on the case of Pollock v. Pollack, Fla.1959, 116 So.2d 761.

Assuming, but not so deciding, that where a pleading is filed on the last day of a year from the date of filing of the last preceding pleading or order in the case, that such would amount to a want of prosecution for 'one year,' the filing of the last pleading (notice of hearing, filed September 9, 1966), coming prior to the filing of a motion for dismissal for want of prosecution, and prior to action of the court of its own motion to that end, operated to progress the cause so as to preclude the dismissal thereof for want of prosecution, under the authority of Pollock v. Pollack, supra. See also City of Miami v. Railway Express Agency, Inc., Fla.App.1962, 141 So.2d 285. The filing of a notice of hearing as to a prior pending motion is 'action' by filing of a pleading, signifying progress of the cause within the purview of the statute and rule. Scarlett v. Frederick, 147 Fla. 407, 3 So.2d 165, 167; City of Miami v. Railway Express Agency, Inc., supra.

We hold, therefore, that the trial court...

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5 cases
  • Chrysler Leasing Corp. v. Passacantilli
    • United States
    • Florida Supreme Court
    • February 9, 1972
    ...done before the motion to dismiss for want of prosecution, to protect against dismissal.' (Emphasis supplied) Accord, Knowles v. Gilbert, 208 So.2d 660 (Fla.App.3rd, 1968) and Beigel v. Simon, 210 So.2d 473 (Fla.App.3rd, 1968).4 The complete series of procedural maneuvers at the trial level......
  • Hanson v. Poteet, s. 89-00654
    • United States
    • Florida District Court of Appeals
    • February 16, 1990
    ...clock. Liuzzo v. Crapo, 504 So.2d 480 (Fla. 1st DCA 1987); Kinsey v. Skyline Corp., 395 So.2d 626 (Fla. 1st DCA 1981); Knowles v. Gilbert, 208 So.2d 660 (Fla. 3d DCA 1968). We believe that this case is distinguishable from Barnett Bank of East Polk County v. Fleming, 508 So.2d 718 (Fla.1987......
  • Kinsey v. Skyline Corp.
    • United States
    • Florida District Court of Appeals
    • March 25, 1981
    ...court on its own motion, it operates to progress the cause so as to preclude its dismissal for failure to prosecute. Knowles v. Gilbert, 208 So.2d 660 (Fla. 3rd DCA 1968). In view of the obvious similarity of purpose between Florida Workers' Compensation Rule of Procedure 11(b) and Florida ......
  • Milu, Inc. v. Duke
    • United States
    • Florida District Court of Appeals
    • December 7, 1971
    ...v. Frederick, 147 Fla. 407, 3 So.2d 165; City of Miami v. Railway Express Agency, Inc., Fla.App.1962, 141 So.2d 285; Knowles v. Gilbert, Fla.App.1968, 208 So.2d 660. Therefore, we find that the court erred in dismissing the cause pursuant to the provisions of the rule. Appellee contends tha......
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