State ex rel. Jaguar Land Rover Limited v. The Hon. Charles King, Judge and Patricia A. Lyles ( 2019 )

STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA
SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS
State ex rel. Jaguar Land Rover Limited,
Petitioner FILED
November 1, 2019
vs.) No. 19-0222 (Kanawha County 15-C-1023) released at 3:00 p.m.
EDYTHE NASH GAISER, CLERK
SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS
The Honorable Charles King, OF WEST VIRGINIA
Judge of the Circuit Court of Kanawha County,
and Patricia A. Lyles,
Respondents
MEMORANDUM DECISION
The petitioner herein, Jaguar Land Rover Limited (“Jaguar”), by counsel Philip J. Combs
and Gordon L. Mowen, II, petitions this Court for a writ of prohibition. In its petition, Jaguar asks
this Court to prohibit the Circuit Court of Kanawha County from enforcing its orders entered
October 15, 2018, sanctioning Jaguar for failure to comply with the circuit court’s discovery
orders, and February 11, 2019, imposing sanctions of costs and attorney’s fees therefor. The
respondent herein, Patricia A. Lyles (“Ms. Lyles”), by counsel Scott S. Segal and Jason P. Foster,
contend that the circuit court properly sanctioned Jaguar and awarded her costs and attorney’s fees.
Upon consideration of the parties’ briefs, oral arguments, and the appendix record, this
Court concludes that Jaguar has not met the standard for the issuance of a writ of prohibition in
this case. Accordingly, we deny the requested writ of prohibition. Because this case does not
present a new or significant issue of law, and for the reasons set forth herein, we find this case is
proper for disposition as a memorandum decision under Rule 21 of the West Virginia Rules of
Appellate Procedure.
This case originated in November 2014 when the plaintiff, Ms. Lyles, was driving her 2013
Land Rover LRS HSE vehicle and was rear-ended by a coal truck on U.S. Route 119 at Trace Fork
in Kanawha County, West Virginia. Ms. Lyles, who was seventy years old at the time of the
accident, was rendered a paraplegic and is now paralyzed from the chest down. In May 2015, Ms.
Lyles filed suit against the vehicle manufacturer, who is the petitioner herein, Jaguar Land Rover
Limited, a U.K. entity; the seat and seatbelt manufacturers; and various defendants associated with
the coal truck involved in the accident.
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On April 20, 2016, Ms. Lyles served petitioner Jaguar with her first set of interrogatories
and request for production of documents. Jaguar responded with a motion to quash, which was
met by Ms. Lyles’ motion to compel, and additional responsive pleadings. Following a hearing,
the circuit court, on August 26, 2016, entered its first discovery order, which granted Ms. Lyles’
motion to compel and denied Jaguar’s motion to quash. In rendering its ruling, the circuit court
rejected Jaguar’s claims that the Hague Evidence Convention governs and found, instead, that the
case is governed by the West Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure and that Rules 33 and 34 of the
Rules of Civil Procedure require a response to written discovery within thirty days. The court then
ordered Jaguar to respond to Ms. Lyles’ discovery requests within fifteen days from the order’s
entry.
Ms. Lyles then filed an emergency motion to compel Jaguar to respond to her second set
of interrogatories. Following a hearing before the discovery commissioner, the circuit court
entered a second discovery order on November 28, 2016, directing Jaguar to provide the discovery
requested by Ms. Lyles within twenty days of the entry of the order; this order was amended for
clarification on December 6, 2016, and also included the twenty-day response deadline.
On December 20, 2016, Ms. Lyles and Jaguar entered into an “Agreement Regarding the
Production of Documents” (“Core Documents Agreement”), whereby Jaguar would identify and
provide the referenced documents, which Jaguar believed to constitute Hague Convention
compliant discovery and to which Ms. Lyles agreed, to Ms. Lyles within twenty-one days of entry
of the order by the High Court of London, which order was entered February 2, 2017. Although
this order required Jaguar to produce the referenced documents by February 23, 2017, Jaguar did
not provide this discovery to Ms. Lyles until July 10, 2017.
Thereafter, on October 30, 2017, Ms. Lyles requested Jaguar to supplement its discovery
responses within ten days; Jaguar responded that the Rules of Civil Procedure allow thirty days to
answer discovery requests and responded by letter dated November 28, 2017, whereby Jaguar
indicated that it would review the Core Documents production.
On December 5, 2017, Ms. Lyles filed a second motion to compel responses to her first set
of interrogatories and request for production of documents. Jaguar, by letter dated December 21,
2017, informed Ms. Lyles that it had not, in fact, provided her everything referenced in the Core
Documents Agreement but that it would do so by January 2018. Jaguar also opposed Ms. Lyles’
second motion to compel.
At the direction of the circuit court, the discovery commissioner held a hearing on Ms.
Lyles’ second motion to compel and provided a recommendation to the circuit court, which the
court adopted by third discovery order entered January 24, 2018. By that order, the circuit court
directed Jaguar to provide the referenced documents to Ms. Lyles within thirty days of the entry
of the court’s order. Jaguar objected and filed a motion to vacate this order. By order entered
February 7, 2018, the circuit court denied Jaguar’s motion to vacate. Jaguar objected and moved
to amend the court’s order.
Ms. Lyles then filed the motion for sanctions that led to the instant petition for writ of
prohibition. In her motion, Ms. Lyles recounted Jaguar’s failure to provide requested and agreed-
upon documents in discovery, as well as Jaguar’s repeated opposition to the circuit court’s
discovery orders. She requested relief including striking Jaguar’s affirmative defenses, taking her
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factual allegations as true, and her “costs and attorney[’s] fees associated with all discovery
disputes [she] has had with [Jaguar].” Jaguar opposed Ms. Lyles’ motion for sanctions, and the
discovery commissioner held a hearing thereon. By fourth discovery order entered October 15,
2018, the circuit court adopted the discovery commissioner’s recommendation to grant Ms. Lyles’
motion for sanctions and directed Ms. Lyles to submit an affidavit detailing her costs. The court
further required Jaguar “by no later than the 26th day of October, 2018 to supplement their
responses to [Ms. Lyles’] discovery by detailing which documents produced by Bates Number or
other identification are responsive to [Ms. Lyles’] Interrogatories and Request for Production of
Documents.” Finally, the circuit court denied the additional relief requested by Ms. Lyles vis-à-
vis Jaguar’s affirmative defenses and her factual allegations. Jaguar objected to the fees and costs
submitted by Ms. Lyles.
The discovery commissioner subsequently filed his recommendation regarding sanctions,
including a summary of the expenses approved for Ms. Lyles’ various attorneys. Although her
counsel reported fees of $332,472.26, the discovery commissioner recommended approving only
$67,295.00 of that amount and included Exhibit C which specifies, in unredacted form, the
allowable expenses for each attorney. The discovery commissioner additionally recommended
that Jaguar be charged with his expenses, as well, in the amount of $8,312.25; this amount reflects
half of the total time the discovery commissioner worked on this case because he discounted his
fee given his feeling that his evaluation of the parties’ arguments took longer than he had expected.
Jaguar objected to this recommendation, but the circuit court adopted the same by order entered
February 11, 2019. It is from this order that Jaguar has filed the instant petition for writ of
prohibition.
When faced with a petition for prohibitory relief, this Court previously has held that “[a]
writ of prohibition will not issue to prevent a simple abuse of discretion by a trial court. It will
only issue where the trial court has no jurisdiction or having such jurisdiction exceeds its legitimate
powers.” Syl. pt. 2, State ex rel. Peacher v. Sencindiver, 160 W. Va. 314, 233 S.E.2d 425 (1977).
In the case sub judice, Jaguar contends that the circuit court exceeded its legitimate authority by
finding that it had committed discovery misconduct and by imposing sanctions therefor. In such
circumstances, we have held:
In determining whether to entertain and issue the writ of
prohibition for cases not involving an absence of jurisdiction but
only where it is claimed that the lower tribunal exceeded its
legitimate powers, this Court will examine five factors: (1) whether
the party seeking the writ has no other adequate means, such as
direct appeal, to obtain the desired relief; (2) whether the petitioner
will be damaged or prejudiced in a way that is not correctable on
appeal; (3) whether the lower tribunal’s order is clearly erroneous as
a matter of law; (4) whether the lower tribunal’s order is an oft
repeated error or manifests persistent disregard for either procedural
or substantive law; and (5) whether the lower tribunal’s order raises
new and important problems or issues of law of first impression.
These factors are general guidelines that serve as a useful starting
point for determining whether a discretionary writ of prohibition
should issue. Although all five factors need not be satisfied, it is
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clear that the third factor, the existence of clear error as a matter of
law, should be given substantial weight.
Syl. pt. 4, State ex rel. Hoover v. Berger, 199 W. Va. 12, 483 S.E.2d 12 (1996). With respect to
discovery orders, specifically, we previously have held that “[a] writ of prohibition is available to
correct a clear legal error resulting from a trial court’s substantial abuse of its discretion in regard
to discovery orders.” Syl. pt. 1, State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. v. Stephens, 188 W. Va. 622, 425
S.E.2d 577 (1992).
Additionally, insofar as the instant matter involves a ruling of the circuit court regarding
discovery matters, our review of the circuit court’s discovery rulings is deferential:
The West Virginia Rules of Evidence and the West Virginia
Rules of Civil Procedure allocate significant discretion to the trial
court in making evidentiary and procedural rulings. Thus, rulings
on the admissibility of evidence and the appropriateness of a
particular sanction for discovery violations are committed to the
discretion of the trial court. Absent a few exceptions, this Court will
review evidentiary and procedural rulings of the circuit court under
an abuse of discretion standard.
Syl. pt. 1, McDougal v. McCammon, 193 W. Va. 229, 455 S.E.2d 788 (1995).
The first Hoover factor requires an evaluation of whether there exists another adequate
remedy, such as direct appeal, to redress the petitioner’s grievance. See Syl. pt. 4, in part, Hoover,
199 W. Va. 12, 483 S.E.2d 12. We previously have observed that “[o]rders granting discovery
requests over timely objections, like other discovery orders, are interlocutory. They do not finally
end the litigation and are generally reviewable only after the final judgment.” State ex rel. U.S.
Fid. & Guar. Co. v. Canady, 194 W. Va. 431, 437, 460 S.E.2d 677, 683 (1995) (citations omitted).
Nevertheless, Jaguar may appeal from such rulings once “the litigation is finally ended.” Id. As
such, Jaguar has failed to satisfy the first Hoover factor for issuance of a writ of prohibition.
The second Hoover factor considers whether the petitioner will be damaged in a way that
is not correctable on appeal. See Syl. pt. 4, in part, Hoover, 199 W. Va. 12, 483 S.E.2d 12. As a
general rule, the scope of discovery under Rule 26 of the West Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure
is quite broad and encompasses “any matter, not privileged, which is relevant to the subject matter
involved in the pending action.” W. Va. R. Civ. P. 26(b)(1). Additionally, Jaguar has agreed to
identify and provide materials pursuant to the parties’ agreed-upon Core Documents Agreement.
As such, it is difficult to conceive how Jaguar could be damaged or prejudiced by requiring it to
provide information it either has an obligation to disclose or has agreed to provide to Ms. Lyles.
Furthermore, to the extent that damage could be presumed by requiring Jaguar to pay sanctions
now that it may later, on appeal, be found not to owe, such damage could be remedied by requiring
the repayment of such monies. Therefore, Jaguar is not entitled to prohibitory relief under the
second Hoover factor.
The third Hoover factor looks to the legal correctness of the lower court’s order the
enforcement of which the petitioner seeks to prevent. See Syl. pt. 4, in part, Hoover, 199 W. Va.
12, 483 S.E.2d 12. Similarly, the fourth Hoover factor reviews whether the lower court has made
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the alleged error previously or whether the lower court has disregarded procedural or substantive
law in rendering its ruling. Id. In its petition for writ of prohibition, Jaguar argues that the circuit
court erred by finding that it had not complied with the court’s discovery orders and imposing
sanctions therefor. Pursuant to Rule 37 of the West Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure, a court may
issue an order compelling discovery and impose sanctions for failure to comply with such an order.
Accord Syl. pt. 1, in part, Shreve v. Warren Assoc., Inc., 177 W. Va. 600, 355 S.E.2d 389 (1987)
(“Rule 37 of the West Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure is designed to permit the use of sanctions
against a party who refuses to comply with the discovery rules[.]”). In pertinent part, Rule 37
directs that “[a] party, upon reasonable notice to other parties and all persons affected thereby, may
apply for an order compelling discovery.” W. Va. R. Civ. P. 37(a). Moreover, “an evasive or
incomplete answer or response is to be treated as a failure to answer or respond.” W. Va. R. Civ.
P. 37(a)(3).
If the motion [to compel discovery] is granted, the court
shall, after affording an opportunity to be heard, require the party
. . . whose conduct necessitated the motion or the party or attorney
advising such conduct or both of them to pay to the moving party
the reasonable expenses incurred in obtaining the order, including
attorney’s fees, unless the court finds that the motion was filed
without the movant’s first making a good faith effort to obtain the
discovery without court action, or that the opposing party’s answer,
response, or objection was substantially justified, or that other
circumstances make an award of expenses unjust.
W. Va. R. Civ. P. 37(a)(4)(A). Furthermore,
[i]f a party . . . fails to obey an order to provide or permit
discovery, including an order made under subdivision (a) of this rule
. . . the court in which the action is pending may make such orders
in regard to the failure as are just . . . or in addition thereto, the court
shall require the party failing to obey the order or the attorney
advising that party or both to pay the reasonable expenses, including
attorney’s fees, caused by the failure, unless the court finds that the
failure was substantially justified or that other circumstances make
an award of expenses unjust.
W. Va. R. Civ. P. 37(b)(2). Accord Syl. pt. 1, Prager v. Meckling, 172 W. Va. 785, 310 S.E.2d
852 (1983) (“Generally, under Rule 37 of the Rules of Civil Procedure to trigger the imposition of
sanctions where a party refuses to comply with a discovery request, the other party must file a
motion to have the court order discovery. If the discovery order is issued and not obeyed, then the
party may seek sanctions under Rule 37(b) of the Rules of Civil Procedure.”).
More specifically, Jaguar contends that the circuit court’s order finding that sanctions are
warranted for failure to comply with its discovery orders does not contain sufficiently detailed
findings of fact or conclusions of law. As to this point, we previously have held that,
[a]lthough Rules 11, 16, and 37 of the West Virginia Rules
of Civil Procedure do not formally require any particular procedure,
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before issuing a sanction, a court must ensure it has an adequate
foundation either pursuant to the rules or by virtue of its inherent
powers to exercise its authority. The Due Process Clause of Section
10 of Article III of the West Virginia Constitution requires that there
exist a relationship between the sanctioned party’s misconduct and
the matters in controversy such that the transgression threatens to
interfere with the rightful decision of the case. Thus, a court must
ensure any sanction imposed is fashioned to address the identified
harm caused by the party’s misconduct.
Syl. pt. 1, Bartles v. Hinkle, 196 W. Va. 381, 472 S.E.2d 827 (1996).
While the circuit court’s final order approving the issuance of sanctions is rather concise,
the order also incorporates the discovery commissioner’s recommendations which explain the
reasons for granting the requested relief. Furthermore, the circuit court has issued four discovery
orders with which Jaguar has not fully complied, and the High Court of London has approved an
order whereby the parties, including Jaguar, agreed to provide discoverable information to Ms.
Lyles, with which Jaguar also has not fully complied. This case has been pending for over four
years, and discovery has been pending for nearly three and one-half years. The various discovery
orders underlying the final order for sanctions have provided more than adequate notice to satisfy
Jaguar’s due process rights and to inform it as to the actions it was expected to take as well as the
court’s directives with which it has failed to comply. Moreover, the discovery commissioner’s
final recommendation specifically references Jaguar’s failure to fully comply with discovery in
this case.
With respect to the amount of the sanctions imposed, Jaguar additionally contends that the
calculation of the $67,295.00 award of attorney’s fees to Ms. Lyles is not explained. In this regard,
we have held that,
[i]n formulating the appropriate sanction, a court shall be
guided by equitable principles. Initially, the court must identify the
alleged wrongful conduct and determine if it warrants a sanction.
The court must explain its reasons clearly on the record if it decides
a sanction is appropriate. To determine what will constitute an
appropriate sanction, the court may consider the seriousness of the
conduct, the impact the conduct had in the case and in the
administration of justice, any mitigating circumstances, and whether
the conduct was an isolated occurrence or was a pattern of
wrongdoing throughout the case.
Syl. pt. 2, Bartles, 196 W. Va. 381, 472 S.E.2d 827.
Again, the discovery commissioner’s recommendation, which is incorporated into the
circuit court’s final order imposing sanctions, thoroughly lists all of the items he considered in the
calculation of this amount, as well as the charges he declined to include in this calculation. Further,
the discovery commissioner prepared and attached Exhibit C which details each attorney’s
allowable expenses to arrive at the $67,295.00 figure. Thus, the amount of the sanctions imposed
in this case did not constitute an abuse of the circuit court’s discretion. In light of the foregoing
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analysis, it is clear that Jaguar has failed to demonstrate either that the circuit court erred in
imposing sanctions for discovery misconduct or that the circuit court failed to follow the governing
procedural or substantive law. Thus, Jaguar has not demonstrated that it is entitled to the issuance
of a writ of prohibition under either the third or the fourth Hoover factor.
The fifth and final Hoover factor addresses whether the lower court’s ruling raises “new
and important problems or issues of law of first impression.” Syl. pt. 4, in part, Hoover, 199
W. Va. 12, 483 S.E.2d 12. As noted in the preceding discussion, a party’s obligation to comply
with a request for discovery is well-settled, as is a party’s duty to comply with a court’s order
compelling that such discovery be provided to the requesting party. Also settled is the ability of a
circuit court to impose sanctions upon a party who fails to provide discovery or comply with an
order compelling discovery. As such, Jaguar has failed to establish that it should be granted the
instant writ of prohibition under the fifth Hoover factor.
Having considered the elements for the issuance of a writ of prohibition, we conclude that
Jaguar has failed to establish that it is entitled to prohibitory relief in this case. Accordingly, the
requested writ of prohibition is hereby denied.
Writ Denied.
ISSUED: November 1, 2019
CONCURRED IN BY:
Chief Justice Elizabeth D. Walker
Justice Margaret L. Workman
Justice Tim Armstead
Justice Evan H. Jenkins
Justice John A. Hutchison
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