Summary
In Perry v. Maryland Cas. Co., 216 Ga. 93 (115 S.E.2d 102), this court declined to consider the constitutionality of a statute because it ascertained that no ruling had been made on that question by the trial court.
Summary of this case from Vandiver v. WilliamsOpinion
20877.
ARGUED MAY 9, 1960.
DECIDED MAY 18, 1960.
Judgment for attorney's fees. Hall Superior Court. Before Judge Kelley.
Howard Oliver, Jr., James R. Venable, for plaintiff in error.
H. A. Stephens, Jr., Smith, Field, Ringel, Martin Carr, contra.
This case, originally filed in the Court of Appeals, was transferred by that court to this court as being one of which this court has jurisdiction. The bill of exceptions assigns error on the judgments overruling the plaintiff's demurrers to the defendants' motion, and granting the motion, to vacate and set aside a verdict and judgment previously rendered during the same term of court. This is not a case of which this court has jurisdiction under the Constitution (Code § 2-3704). While one count of the petition, upon which the verdict and judgment sought to be set aside were based, sought to make constitutional attacks on certain sections of the Georgia Workmen's Compensation Act, no ruling on such questions was made by the trial court, and no constitutional question is presented for decision. What is here held is not in conflict with the decision of this court in Carmichael v. City of Jackson, 193 Ga. 553 ( 19 S.E.2d 268). It was there held that "The case as tried involved an attack upon the constitutionality of a State law" (emphasis supplied); and the judgment sought to be reviewed was one dismissing a motion for new trial in that case. Such is not the case here. The record does not disclose any ruling by the trial judge as to the constitutionality of a State law; and in Savannah c. Railway Co. v. Hardin, 110 Ga. 433, 437 ( 35 S.E. 681), it is held that "this court should never pass upon the constitutionality of a legislative act unless it clearly appears in the record that the point was . . . distinctly passed on by the trial judge." See also Jennings v. William W. Wright Co., 54 Ga. 537 (4), 541; Bentley v. Anderson-McGriff Hardware Co., 181 Ga. 813 ( 184 S.E. 297); Wright v. Cannon, 185 Ga. 363, 365 ( 195 S.E. 168); Galfas v. Ailor, 206 Ga. 76 (3) ( 55 S.E.2d 582); Velkey v. Grimes, 214 Ga. 420 ( 105 S.E.2d 224). The case is one of which the Court of Appeals, and not this court, has jurisdiction, and it is therefore
Returned to the Court of Appeals. All the Justices concur.