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In re Sci Texas Funeral Services, Inc.

Court of Appeals of Texas, Eighth District, El Paso
Jan 31, 2006
198 S.W.3d 14 (Tex. App. 2006)

Opinion

No. 08-05-00335-CV.

Rehearing Overruled March 15, 2006.

January 31, 2006.

Joseph L. Hood, Jr., Scott, Hulse, Marshall, Feuille, Finger Thurmond, El Paso, Michael A. Hatchell, Locke Liddell Sapp LLP, Austin, for relators.

Alan B. Rich, Baron Budd, P.C., Dallas, Enrique Moreno, Moreno and Fry, El Paso, for interested party.

Before BARAJAS, C.J., McCLURE, and CHEW, JJ.


An Original Proceeding in Mandamus.


OPINION ON PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS


Relators, Sci Texas Funeral Services, Inc., SCIT Holdings, Inc., SCI Funeral Services, Inc., and Service Corporation International, ask this Court to issue a writ of mandamus against the Honorable Javier Alvarez, Judge of the County Court at Law No. 3 of El Paso County. Mandamus will lie only to correct a clear abuse of discretion. Walker v. Packer, 827 S.W.2d 833, 840 (Tex.l992) (orig. proceeding). Moreover, there must be no other adequate remedy at law. Id. Although mandamus is not an equitable remedy, it is largely governed by equitable principles. Rivercenter Associates v. Rivera, 858 S.W.2d 366, 367 (Tex. 1993). One such principle is that equity aids the diligent and not those who slumber on their rights. Id.

By this mandamus proceeding, Relators seek to challenge an April 29, 2005 order imposing sanctions, but they did not file their mandamus petition until October 19, 2005. Relators have provided no explanation for the delay. We conclude that mandamus relief must be denied because of laches. See Furr's Supermarkets, Inc. v. Mulanax, 897 S.W.2d 442, 443 (Tex.App.-El Paso 1995, orig. proceeding). Even if Relators had sought mandamus relief earlier, the record before us does not demonstrate that Respondent clearly abused his discretion.


Summaries of

In re Sci Texas Funeral Services, Inc.

Court of Appeals of Texas, Eighth District, El Paso
Jan 31, 2006
198 S.W.3d 14 (Tex. App. 2006)
Case details for

In re Sci Texas Funeral Services, Inc.

Case Details

Full title:In re SCI TEXAS FUNERAL SERVICES, INC., SCIT Holdings, Inc., SCI Funeral…

Court:Court of Appeals of Texas, Eighth District, El Paso

Date published: Jan 31, 2006

Citations

198 S.W.3d 14 (Tex. App. 2006)

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