Long John Silver's Inc. v. Martinez

850 S.W.2d 773, 1993 WL 89312
CourtCourt of Appeals of Texas
DecidedMarch 17, 1993
Docket04-93-00016-CV
StatusPublished
Cited by43 cases

This text of 850 S.W.2d 773 (Long John Silver's Inc. v. Martinez) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Texas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Long John Silver's Inc. v. Martinez, 850 S.W.2d 773, 1993 WL 89312 (Tex. Ct. App. 1993).

Opinion

OPINION

PER CURIAM.

This is an accelerated appeal from an interlocutory order denying a temporary injunction pursuant to section 51.014(4) of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code. In one point of error, Long John Silver’s, Inc. (LJS) contends the trial court abused its discretion in denying its motion for a temporary restraining order and a temporary injunction because it misapplied the law to established facts.

On April 27, 1992, the trial court entered a judgment against LJS and in favor of Belen Martinez in the amount of $79,647. US timely filed a motion for remittitur, a motion for new trial and to correct, reform, or modify the judgment. In June, a hearing on the motions was held, and the trial judge orally granted the remittitur.

The order granting the remittitur was signed by the trial judge on August 12, 1992. The order remitted the judgment amount from $79,647 to $25,000. The order further stated that, “[sjhould the plaintiffs not accept this latter amount, the defendant’s motion for new trial is GRANTED.” Ms. Martinez never accepted the re-mittitur. In September, US asked the trial judge to enter a written order granting a new trial, but the trial judge refused. On October 22, 1992, a writ of execution to collect the original judgment was issued to Ms. Martinez. US filed its motion to set aside the writ of execution on October 30, 1992.

On November 2,1992, after Ms. Martinez attempted to execute the writ, and the Webb County deputies closed the US restaurant in Laredo for approximately 20 minutes, another hearing was held concerning the motion to enter a new trial date, motion for setting aside the writ of execution, and a motion to recognize that the trial court did not have jurisdiction. At this hearing, counsel for Ms. Martinez argued that the remittitur was overruled by operation of law on July 11, 1992. During the hearing, the trial judge indicated that his order of August 12 was proper because the motion had not been overruled by operation of law, but later in the hearing, the judge changed his mind and stated he no longer had jurisdiction to enter the August 12 order.

After the hearing concluded, the court denied the motion to set the trial date and granted US’s motion to set aside the execution but only until November 5, 1992. US sought mandamus relief to direct the trial court to make the order staying the writ of execution until November 5, 1992, a permanent order and to direct the clerk to recall and cancel the writ of execution. The writ of mandamus was denied, prompting US to file its motion for temporary restraining order and temporary injunction on January 7, 1993. The trial court denied the temporary injunction, and US perfected this appeal.

At a hearing upon the request for a temporary injunction, the only question before the trial court is whether applicant is entitled to preservation of the status quo *775 of the subject matter of the suit pending trial on the merits. Davis v. Huey, 571 S.W.2d 859, 862 (Tex.1978). The status quo is the “last, actual, peaceable, noncon-tested status which preceded the pending controversy.” Cross v. Chem-Air South, Inc., 648 S.W.2d 754, 757 (Tex.App.—Beaumont 1983, no writ). To warrant the issuance of a temporary injunction, the mov-ant must show: (1) probable right to recovery; (2) that imminent and irreparable harm will occur in the interim if the request is not granted; and (3) that no adequate remedy at law exists. Sun Oil Co. v. Whitaker, 424 S.W.2d 216, 218 (Tex.1968); Texas Indus. Gas v. Phoenix Metallurgical Corp., 828 S.W.2d 529, 532 (Tex.App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1992, no writ). The merits of the applicant’s case are not presented for appellate review because the order denying a temporary injunction is an appeal from an interlocutory order. Manufacturers Hanover Trust Co. v. Kingston Investors Corp., 819 S.W.2d 607, 610 (Tex.App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1991, no writ).

In reviewing the trial court’s granting or denial of a temporary injunction, the question to be decided on appeal is whether the trial court abused its discretion. Gannon v. Payne, 706 S.W.2d 304, 305 (Tex.1986); Iranian Muslim Org. v. City of San Antonio, 615 S.W.2d 202, 208 (Tex.1981). An abuse of discretion occurs when the trial court acts without reference to any guiding rules or principles. Downer v. Aquamarine Operators, Inc., 701 S.W.2d 238, 241-42 (Tex.1985), cert. denied, 476 U.S. 1159, 106 S.Ct. 2279, 90 L.Ed.2d 721 (1986). Additionally, when the trial court misapplies the law to the established facts or in instances when the evidence does not support the trial court’s determination concerning the applicant’s reasonable right of recovery, an abuse of discretion is also found. State of Texas v. Southwestern Bell Tel. Co., 526 S.W.2d 526, 528 (Tex.1975); Otten v. Town of China Grove, 660 S.W.2d 565, 569 (Tex.App.—San Antonio 1983, writ dism'd). An abuse of discretion is not found, however, if the trial court bases its decision on conflicting evidence. Davis v. Huey, 571 S.W.2d 859, 862 (Tex.1978). In determining whether an abuse of discretion has occurred, the appellate court is not allowed to substitute its judgment for that of the trial court. Id. Where no findings of facts or conclusions of law are filed, the trial court’s judgment “must be upheld on any legal theory supported by the record.” Id.

In its sole point of error, US contends the trial court misapplied the law to the established facts because: (1) the August 12 order of remittitur and grant of a new trial was timely entered; (2) US had a probable right of recovery against Martinez on January 7, 1993, because the writ of execution was void; (3) US had a probable, irreparable injury unless the trial court enjoined any execution by Martinez; and (4) US lacked an adequate remedy at law to prevent Martinez’s execution against its property.

US argues that the trial court properly remitted the judgment under penalty of new trial and allowed Ms. Martinez thirty days to file an acceptance of the remittitur. Therefore, once the August 12 order was rendered in writing and signed and no re-mittitur acceptance filed, the order granting a new trial became the official ruling of the court. The August 12 order, therefore, had the legal effect of vacating the original judgment and returning the case to the docket as if no trial had been had.

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Bluebook (online)
850 S.W.2d 773, 1993 WL 89312, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/long-john-silvers-inc-v-martinez-texapp-1993.