Opinion
No. 05-20-00832-CV
09-23-2020
IN RE AMERICAN AIRLINES, INC., Relator
Original Proceeding from the County Court at Law No. 1 Dallas County, Texas
Trial Court Cause No. CC-18-01085-A
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Before Justices Osborne, Reichek, and Browning
Opinion by Justice Browning
In this original proceeding, relator challenges the trial court's August 7, 2019 order denying its request for a protective order and directing relator to present an apex executive for deposition. A writ of mandamus issues to correct a clear abuse of discretion when no adequate remedy by appeal exists. Walker v. Packer, 827 S.W.2d 833, 839-40 (Tex. 1992) (orig. proceeding). Although mandamus is not an equitable remedy, its issuance is largely controlled by equitable principles. Rivercenter Assocs. v. Rivera, 858 S.W.2d 366, 367 (Tex. 1993) (orig. proceeding). One such principle is that "equity aids the diligent and not those who slumber on their rights." Id. (internal brackets and quotation marks omitted).
An unexplained delay of four months or more can constitute laches and result in denial of mandamus relief. See Rivera, 858 S.W.2d at 366 (unexplained delay of more than four months); Int'l Awards, Inc. v. Medina, 900 S.W.2d 934, 936 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 1995, orig. proceeding) (unexplained delay of more than four months and waited until eve of trial); Furr's Supermarkets, Inc. v. Mulanax, 897 S.W.2d 442, 443 (Tex. App.—El Paso 1995, no writ) (unexplained four-month delay in challenging discovery orders); Bailey v. Baker, 696 S.W.2d 255, 256 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1985, orig. proceeding) (unexplained four-month delay and filed two weeks before trial).
Here, relators did not file the petition for writ of mandamus until September 17, 2020—more than a year after the challenged order was signed. We conclude that relators' unexplained delay bars their right to mandamus relief. Accordingly, we deny the petition for writ of mandamus.
/John G. Browning/
JONG G. BROWNING
JUSTICE 200832F.P05