Energy Transfer Fuel, L.P. v. Head Management, Ltd. ( 2010 )

NO. 12-09-00062-CV
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT
TYLER, TEXAS
ENERGY TRANSFER FUEL, L.P.,
APPELLANT ' APPEAL FROM THE 173RD
V. ' JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT OF
HEAD MANAGEMENT, LTD., ' HENDERSON COUNTY, TEXAS
APPELLEE
MEMORANDUM OPINION
In one issue, Appellant, Energy Transfer Fuel, LP (“ETF”), contends that the trial court
abused its discretion by failing to release the bond ETF posted after obtaining a temporary
restraining order against Appellee, Head Management, Ltd. ETF’s complaint pertains to two
orders: the trial court’s order denying ETF’s motion to release the bond and its order denying
ETF’s motion to reconsider that ruling. We reverse the trial court’s orders and remand with
instructions.
BACKGROUND
ETF is a public gas utility and has the right of eminent domain. As a condemning
authority, ETF has the right to enter upon property to make preliminary surveys of proposed
routes along which its gas pipelines may be constructed. ETF requested permission to enter
Head’s property to conduct surveying activities in connection with a proposed pipeline route, but
was refused entry. Thereafter, on July 23, 2008, ETF petitioned the court for a temporary
restraining order (“TRO”) as well as a temporary injunction and a permanent injunction against
Head. On the same day, the trial court signed an order granting a TRO prohibiting Head from
interfering or attempting to interfere with ETF’s right to enter and survey the route of its pipeline
across Head’s property. As a condition of issuing the TRO, the trial court ordered ETF to post a
$25,000 bond. The order also set a hearing for July 31, 2008, “to determine whether this
temporary restraining order should be made a temporary injunction pending a full trial on the
merits.” ETF deposited $25,000 cash in lieu of a bond, which was approved by the Henderson
County District Clerk.
After obtaining the TRO, ETF immediately began its surveying activities on Head’s
property and completed its work on July 29, 2008. The following events then occurred in the
trial court:
July 29, 2008
ETF filed a notice of nonsuit, and sent Head notice of the filing.
July 31, 2008
ETF filed a motion requesting the return of its $25,000 cash bond.
August 11, 2008
The trial court denied ETF’s motion requesting the return of its cash bond.
August 28, 2008
ETF filed a motion requesting the trial court to reconsider its refusal to release the bond.
September 4, 2008
Counsel for ETF and counsel for Head appeared for a hearing on ETF’s motion to
reconsider. After Head’s counsel requested additional time to prepare on behalf of other
clients, the hearing was reset for September 10, 2008.
September 10, 2008
The trial court conducted a hearing on ETF’s motion to reconsider. Counsel for ETF and
counsel for Head were present, along with another property owner who was also
represented by Head’s counsel. Counsel for ETF presented oral argument, and the trial
court ruled from the bench that ETF’s motion to reconsider was denied.
November 17, 2008
The trial court signed an order denying ETF’s motion to reconsider.
December 29, 2008
ETF filed a petition for writ of mandamus in this court requesting an order directing the
trial court to release ETF’s bond and issue an order of nonsuit.
February 3, 2009
The trial court signed an order dismissing “[the] cause,” but did not release the bond.
March 3, 2009
ETF filed a notice of appeal complaining of the trial court’s failure to release the bond.
2
The trial court’s dismissal order rendered ETF’s petition for writ of mandamus moot
except as to ETF’s complaint about the trial court’s failure to release the bond. We denied
mandamus relief after concluding that appeal was an adequate remedy for ETF to challenge the
trial court’s rulings on the bond. See In re Energy Transfer Fuel, L.P., 298 S.W.3d 352, 357
(Tex. App.–Tyler 2009, orig. proceeding). Specifically, we concluded that the order denying
ETF’s motion to release the bond and the order denying ETF’s motion to reconsider that ruling
merged into the final order dismissing the case and were appealable. See Webb v. Jorns, 488
S.W.2d 407, 408-09 (Tex. 1973) (interlocutory order merges into final judgment and becomes
final for purposes of appeal); Douglas v. Am. Title Co., 196 S.W.3d 876, 877, 879 n.6 (Tex.
App.–Houston [1st Dist.] 2006, no pet.) (vexatious litigant order merged into final judgment and
was appealable even though final judgment not appealed). ETF now appeals from those orders.1
FAILURE TO RELEASE THE BOND
ETF contends that, in light of its nonsuit and the subsequent order dismissing the
underlying proceeding, the trial court was required to release the $25,000 cash bond. Head has
not filed a brief.
Standard of Review
ETF states in its brief that the trial court’s orders are reviewable for abuse of discretion.
We have not located any authority prescribing the standard of review for the precise issue
presented here. But typically, the abuse of discretion standard is applied to procedural or other
trial management determinations. In re Doe, 19 S.W.3d 249, 253 (Tex. 2000). Consequently,
we will review the appealed orders for an abuse of discretion. See id.
A trial court commits an abuse of discretion when it acts “without reference to any
guiding rules and principles.” Downer v. Aquamarine Operators, Inc., 701 S.W.2d 238, 241-42
(Tex. 1985). The “mere fact that a trial judge may decide a matter within his discretionary
authority in a different manner than an appellate judge in a similar circumstance does not
demonstrate that an abuse of discretion occurred.” Id. at 242. A trial court has no discretion in
determining what the law is, which law governs, or how to apply the law. Univ. of Tex. Health
1
At ETF’s request, we have taken judicial notice of our file in appellate cause number 12-08-00492-CV.
See, e.g., Tello v. Bank One, N.A., 218 S.W.3d 109, 113 n.4 (Tex. App.–Houston [14th Dist.] 2007, no pet.)
(appellate court took judicial notice of pertinent pleadings included in appellate record for another appeal in same
trial court case).
3
Sci. Ctr. v. Gutierrez, 237 S.W.3d 869, 871 n.1 (Tex. App.–Houston [1st Dist.] 2007, pet.
denied). To the extent that an issue turns on a question of law, the standard of review is the
same “regardless of whether it is described as abuse of discretion or de novo.” Id.
Applicable Law
In the order granting any TRO, the court must fix the amount of security to be given by
the applicant. TEX. R. CIV. P. 684.2 Before the issuance of the TRO, the applicant must execute
and file with the clerk a bond to the adverse party, with two or more good and sufficient sureties,
to be approved by the clerk, in the sum fixed by the judge. Id. The bond must be conditioned
that the applicant will abide the decision made in the cause, and will pay all sums adjudged
against it if the TRO is dissolved, either in whole or in part. Id. The applicant may instead
deposit cash in lieu of filing the bond. See TEX. R. CIV. P. 14c.
A plaintiff may take a nonsuit at any time before it has introduced all of its evidence
other than rebuttal evidence. TEX. R. CIV. P. 162. In a bench trial, a plaintiff can take a nonsuit
at any time before the decision in the case is announced. See Hyundai Motor Co. v. Alvarado,
892 S.W.2d 853, 855 (Tex. 1995) (stating that “[o]nce a judge announces a decision that
adjudicates a claim, that claim is no longer subject to the plaintiff’s right to nonsuit”). A
plaintiff’s right to take a nonsuit is unqualified and absolute as long as the defendant has not
made a claim for affirmative relief. BHP Petroleum Co. v. Millard, 800 S.W.2d 838, 840-41
(Tex. 1990). A nonsuit may be taken after a temporary restraining order has been obtained but
before the hearing on the temporary injunction. See Payne v. Nichols, 176 S.W.2d 961, 963-64
(Tex. Civ. App.–Galveston 1943, writ ref’d w.o.m.) (holding that nonsuit may be taken after
temporary injunction obtained but before hearing on permanent injunction, even where suit had
been pending for two years and nonsuit was taken when case came up for trial) (interpreting and
applying predecessors to rules 162 and 684). But the nonsuit does not defeat the right of a
restrained party who is damaged by the temporary restraining order to sue for wrongful
injunction. See id. at 963.
It has long been established that a party who wrongfully obtains injunctive restraint
against another is liable for damages caused by the issuance of the injunction. See Parks v.
O’Connor, 70 Tex. 377, 388, 8 S.W.104, 107 (1888). An injunction is wrongful if its issuance
2
Rule 684 also applies to temporary injunctions. Therefore, in our analysis, we cite authority relating to
TROs and also authority relating to temporary injunctions.
4
was wrongful at its inception or if it was continued in effect due to some wrong on the part of the
proponent. I.P. Farms v. Exxon Pipeline Co., 646 S.W.2d 544, 545 (Tex. App.–Houston [1st
Dist.] 1982, no writ); Craddock v. Overstreet, 435 S.W.2d 607, 609 (Tex. Civ. App.–Tyler 1968,
writ ref’d n.r.e.). Texas recognizes two separate causes of action for wrongful injunction, one
upon the bond ordinarily filed to obtain the TRO or injunction, and the other for malicious
prosecution. DeSantis v. Wackenhut Corp., 793 S.W.2d 670, 685 (Tex. 990). The two actions
differ in the kind of wrong that must be shown to establish liability and in the amount of
recovery. Id. A claim for wrongful injunction can be predicated upon the wrongful issuance of
a TRO. Id. at 685-86.
A cause of action upon an injunction bond is predicated upon a breach of the condition of
the bond. Id. at 685. As pertinent to the case at hand, the claimant must prove that the TRO was
issued when it should not have been, and that it was later dissolved. Id. at 685-86. The claimant
need not prove that the TRO was obtained maliciously or without probable cause. Id. at 686.
The purpose of the bond is to protect the defendant from the harm he may sustain as a result of
temporary relief granted upon the reduced showing required of the injunction plaintiff, pending
full consideration of all issues. Id. The damages under this claim are limited by the amount of
the bond. Id.
A cause of action for malicious prosecution requires the claimant prove the injunction
suit was prosecuted maliciously and without probable cause, and was terminated in his favor. Id.
In this instance, the injunction defendant recovers the full amount of his damages. Id.
Under either cause of action, the claimant must prove that issuance of the TRO resulted
in damages. Id. Unless the TRO was wrongfully issued, damages, except to property, are
precluded as a matter of law. See I.P. Farms, 646 S.W.2d at 545. But the claimant “cannot
recover for having been prohibited from doing something which he had no right to do.”
DeSantis, 793 S.W.2d at 686; see also Beathard Joint Venture v. W. Houston Airport Corp., 72
S.W.3d 426, 435 (Tex. App.–Texarkana 2002, no pet.) (injunction not wrongfully issued where
airport’s efforts to obtain injunction were based on an assertion of its own legal rights not to have
Beathard or Beathard’s tenants trespass on airport facilities).
Application
Here, the trial court denied ETF’s motion to release its bond. ETF filed a motion for
reconsideration of that ruling, and the trial court conducted a hearing on the motion. At the
5
hearing, the court agreed with ETF that it had a right to take a nonsuit, but expressed concern
that ETF did so before the restrained parties’ answer date and before the temporary injunction
hearing set for July 31.
ETF’s counsel briefly recounted the procedural history of the case, and asserted that ETF
was required to dismiss its suit when its surveying activities were completed to avoid wrongfully
prolonging the TRO. Counsel then argued that if the restrained parties believed their property
had been harmed, they had the right to “come back and seek property damages from [ETF] at
any time.” Counsel further offered to present testimony regarding the propriety of obtaining the
TRO, but the trial court did not allow the testimony.
The trial court responded that the restrained parties still had a right to bring an action on
the propriety of the TRO, and that if the bond were released, they could not sue on the bond.
The court cited that outcome as the reason it refused to release the bond. ETF’s counsel pointed
out that Head had not filed “anything” even though its counsel was present at the hearing. When
asked by ETF’s counsel whether the bond would be held indefinitely, the court responded that it
would “until there is some either disposition or loss of [the restrained parties’] right to sue on the
TRO.” Counsel stated that she presumed the statute of limitations for any action on the TRO
would be two years, and asked whether the court intended to hold the bond for two years. The
court did not specifically answer counsel’s inquiry. Head did not present any argument or
otherwise respond to ETF’s motion to reconsider or its counsel’s argument in support of the
motion.
Initially, we note that we have located no authority supporting the retention, after final
judgment, of a bond posted as a condition to the issuance of a TRO. See Lovall v. Yen, No. 14-
07-00770-CV, 2008 WL 361373, at *2 (Tex. App.–Houston [14th Dist.] Feb. 12, 2008, no pet.)
(mem. op.) (stating that bond disbursement order is merely a ministerial act incident to final
judgment). Even assuming, however, that the bond could be retained after final judgment under
special circumstances, no such circumstances are present here.
As ETF points out, Head did not appear and move for dissolution or modification of the
TRO. See TEX. R. CIV. P. 680 (“On two days’ notice to the party who obtained the [TRO]
without notice or on such shorter notice to that party as the court may prescribe, the adverse
party may appear and move its dissolution or modification . . . .”).3 Moreover, Head did not (1)
3
We do not suggest that recovery of damages for wrongful injunction is foreclosed if the restrained party
6
plead a claim for affirmative relief prior to ETF’s nonsuit, (2) file a response to ETF’s motion for
release of the bond, (3) object to the release of the bond at the September 10, 2008 hearing, (4)
inform the court that it intended to assert a wrongful injunction claim against ETF; or (5)
otherwise provide the trial court with any argument or authority in opposition to ETF’s motion
for reconsideration. In other words, Head did nothing to show that it objected to the release of
ETF’s bond or would be adversely affected by its release.
In light of Head’s inaction resulting in an absence of pleadings or objections in
opposition to ETF’s motion to release its bond and its motion to reconsider the trial court’s
ruling, we hold that the trial court abused its discretion in denying the motions. See Goodin v.
Jolliff, 257 S.W.3d 341, 353 (Tex. App.–Fort Worth 2008, no pet.) (error to release bond to
enjoined party in absence of pleading or proof that she was damaged by issuance of temporary
injunction); Am. Jet Charter, Inc. v. Cobbs, 184 S.W.3d 369, 377 (Tex. App.–Dallas 2006, no
pet.) (trial court did not err in denying posttrial request to reinstate injunction bond where
enjoined party did not object to prejudgment release of bond). Accordingly, we reverse the trial
court’s orders denying ETF’s motion to release its bond and denying ETF’s motion for
reconsideration of the order denying release of the bond, and remand with instructions to the trial
court to order release of the bond to ETF.
SAM GRIFFITH
Justice
Opinion delivered November 10, 2010.
Panel consisted of Worthen, C.J., Griffith, J., and Hoyle, J.
(PUBLISH)
does not avail itself of this procedure. See Lindsey v. Hart, 260 S.W. 286, 289 (Tex. Civ. App.–Beaumont 1924),
modified on other grounds, 276 S.W. 199 (Tex. Comm’n App. 1925, jdgmt. adopted) (holding that enjoined party is
not estopped to claim damages by failing to sooner move to dissolve the injunction).
7