WPCa` 59T[#** [#*c"0*ʝ.0T щ=ZS ܐLNދ$&lI%.ZنXUJR7b(l & ~NĨ[0y3@ Y(ai¡D66tZhyzqimvW{x*V ؕf(sFdLVK0E0zଲ iMĚ[;eHJ`kspx0 |-Teq T6-t%dtr:Õuîh|Z XOV6[![v ^ UYO3 Ksd$[ۜ?{/:+[%2 /n܃N?]mMPݞQ6FGr ;z砢/A5uHͿ̔zoN>IiW#UyN % 0: UDN ^ g ws 4w   m U@ N 0V SK  0 0DX < &BEh=j& b ^/           0V" 0 .##h v%/d2i6b0888 1uN88u< 4A KV 72XLX 0c?[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[ BD`\\ib01s01\clerk1nas,,,,0(9 Z6Times New Roman RegularX($USUS.,("  Z6Times New Roman Regularew1 0B011RA3|x U(9 Z(Times New Roman (.3$ !USUS.,   I )USUS.,  _   _  xUSUS.,      3    XXThetrialcourtstated, [_H]ere_,[nonsuit]wastakenandgrantedundercircumstanceswheretheruleissilent  andthecaselawissilent...astowhatistheeffect...[and_w]hat_Ԁistheremedy.#XHX}#(:(2x$ !USUS.,        0  (#$  0   _  xUSUS.,      2    XXCounselforthedefendantdescribedthesituationasfollows: Myclienthadgonethrough...twodays  oftrial...[andtheplaintiff]tried[his]caseandwhenthatcasegoestothejury,itsover....Andthenthejurycomes t backwithanunfavorablequestionand[theplaintiff]wantsaMulligan.Defendantscounselcontendedthat [the 8 defendant]acquiredavestedrightinhavingthatcasedecidedbythatjury(emphasisadded).#XHX}#H\Opinion Summary 3_  xUSUS.,      5    RXXRDadeCountyv.Peachey,181So.2d353(Fla.Dist.Ct.App.1965)(holdingthatplaintiffsvoluntarydismissal  wasdeemedtobewithprejudicebecauseoverhearingunfavorablejurydeliberationswasnotacognizablegroundfor t nonsuit);Parduev.Darnell,557S.E.2d172(N.C.Ct.App.2001)(holdingthat,whereplaintiff,aftervoluntarydismissal 8 asofrighthadceasedtobeavailable,voluntarilydismissedwithoutseekingleaveofthetrialcourt,suchdismissalwas L deemedtobewithprejudice).#R۟# _  xUSUS.,      4    RXXRTheCourtofAppeals,statingthat thereareinherentdifficultiesinallowingatrialcourtdiscretiontogrant  avoluntarydismissalwithoutprejudiceafterthejuryretirestoconsideritsverdict,recommendedthatthisCourt t reconsidertheholdingofPanzer.#Rۜ#?\Appellants Attorney Name & Appellant's Name.?\Appellees Attorney Name & Appellee's Name. _  xUSUS.,      1     XHXXX X XHAtaposttrialmotionshearing,thetrialcourtindicatedthatithadgrantedtheplaintiffsmotionbelieving  (erroneously)thattheplaintiffhadanabsoluterighttovoluntarydismissalwithoutprejudiceeventhoughthejuryhad t retired.Thetrialcourtstated, IdiditbecauseatthetimeIknewofnoreasonwhy[theplaintiffcouldnottakea 8 nonsuit,]becauseifweallgothroughthecaseswehavetried,weveseenitoverandoverandoveratalmostanytime L anonsuitistaken...there[is]nothingtheothersidecandoaboutit.Thus,ingrantingthenonsuit,thetrialcourtdid  notprofesstohaveexercisedjudicialdiscretion# XHX ۜ#.#XHXX XH}#1234567   910  x$USUS.,      12    _XXFederalRuleofCivilProcedure41(a)providesatwoprongapproachwhereinnonsuitbyorderofthecourt  becomesavailableimmediatelyaftertheabsoluterighttononsuitterminates.Seesupra.#ۑ##XHXr# _  xUSUS.,      13    XXSee,e.g.,Ind.R.Proc.,TrialR.41(A);Kan.Stat.Ann.60241(a);Ky.R.Civ.P.41.01;Mass.R.Civ.P.  41;Mich.Comp.R.2.504(A);Miss.R.Civ.P.41(a);Nev.R.Civ.P.41(a);Rosev.Rose,526N.E.2d231,234(Ind. t Ct.App.1988);Gideonv.BoMarHomes,Inc.,469P.2d272,27677(Kan.1970);Smithv.H.C.BaileyCos.,477 8 So.2d224,230(Miss.1985);Monroe,Ltd.v.Cent.Tel.Co.,S.Nev.Div.,538P.2d152,154(Nev.1975).#XHX~#RXXH _  xUSUS.,      6    XX Nothinginthisruleshallbeconstruedasrequiringreliefbegrantedtoapartyresponsibleforanerrororwho  failedtotakewhateveractionwasreasonablyavailabletopreventornullifytheharmfuleffectofanerror.Tenn.R. t App.P.36(a).#XHX}#(.3$ !USUS.,  L T,BlockBlock quotation  x$USUS.,      10    RXXR_ Thedateoftheentryoftheorderwillgoverntherunningofpertinenttimeperiods,Tenn.R.Civ.P.  41.01(3),suchastheoneyearsavingstatuteofTennesseeRuleofCivilProcedure41.01(2).#Rہ# ^ _  xUSUS.,      20    XXCf._Fenton_Ԁv.Thompson,176S.W.2d456(Mo.1943).InFenton,atortaction,thecasewastriedand  submittedtothejury,butbeforethejuryreturnedaverdict,theplaintiffmovedforandwasgrantedvoluntarydismissal. t Id.at458,461.Becausethetrialcourtfailedtodesignatewhetherthedismissalwaswithorwithoutprejudice,bydefault 8 itwasconsideredtobewithoutprejudice.Id.at460.Onappeal,thedefendantclaimedthatbecauseplaintiffsmotion L cameafterthestatutoryterminationpointforvoluntarydismissal,thedismissalshouldbedeemedtobewithprejudice.  Id.at46061.TheMissouriSupremeCourtheldthatthetrialcourtsorderwasclearlyerroneousbecauseitcontravened  aMissouristatuteterminatingtherighttovoluntarydismissaloncethejuryhadretired.Id.at463.Concerningthe H  specificremedy,theCourtasked:  \ *T  *T  [I]fweassumeaplaintiffhashadhisdayincourtwitheverythingthelawgavehim,withnoerrorin    therecordandnolegalgroundsforanewtrialorforsettingthesubmissionaside,mayhe,aftera X   voluntarysubmissionofthecausetothejury,haveanothertrialofthecauseinacourtoflawbefore  l  anotherjurymerelybecause,forsomereasons,hehasreachedtheconclusion(aftersubmission)that  0  theverdictwillbeunfavorableonthemeritsorontheamountofdamages?*T-݌   Ќ  Id.TheCourtreasonedthatbywithdrawinghercasefromthejury,theplaintiff waivedherrighttoaverdictbythejury. ,|  She,ineffect,recognizedthattheverdictwouldbeadversetoherandwasunwantedbyher,andbyherconductshe @  authorizedadismissalwithprejudiceinlieuthereof.Id.at464.TheCourtthusconcludedthatplaintiffsdismissal   wastobewithprejudice,andthatsoholdingdidnotviolatetheplaintiffsconstitutionalrighttotrialbyjury.Id.#XHXہ#RXXH | x$USUS.,      8    _XHXXXXXH Thoughnotstatedintherule,therightofplaintifftoanonsuitissubjecttothefurtherrestrictionthatthe  grantingofthenonsuitwillnotdeprivethedefendantofsomerightthatbecamevestedduringthependencyofthecase. t #q#Anderson,521S.W.2dat790.###XHXې# _  xUSUS.,      7    XHXXXXXHRule41.01(1)limitsthattherighttononsuit,providingthatitshallbetaken [_s]ubject_Ԁtotheprovisions  ofRule23.05[requiringcourtapprovalforvoluntarydismissalofclassactions],Rule23.06[requiringcourtapproval t forvoluntarydismissalof#}#shareholderderivativeactions]orRule66[requiringcourtapprovalforvoluntarydismissal 8 of#*#actionswhereinareceiverhasbeenappointed]oranystatute,andexceptwhenamotionforsummaryjudgmentmade L i byanadversepartyispending....###XHXۜ# _  xUSUS.,      11    RXXRSomeofthejurorsconductedunauthorized,independentfactualinvestigation,andthejuryalsoimproperly  discussedthedefendantsliabilityinsurancecoverage.Panzer,743S.W.2dat613.#R۝#- -  3#37=CIQYag1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a) _  xUSUS.,      14    XXInnonjurytrials,theabsoluterighttovoluntarydismissalwithoutprejudicecontinuesonly untilthematter  hasbeenfinallysubmittedtothecourtfordeterminationonthemerits._Weedman_Ԁv._Searcy_,781S.W.2d855,857 t (Tenn.1989).TheCourtin_Weedman_alsostatedthat [_t]he_Ԁright[tovoluntarydismissal]doesnotcontinueinajury 8 caseafterthejuryretires.Id.Eventhough_Weedman_wasdecidedafterPanzer,theCourtin_Weedman_didnotaddress L theissuenowbeforetheCourt.#XHX~# k_  xUSUS.,      15    RXXRRRBythetimeacaseissubmittedtothejuryforaverdict,muchhasoccurred:acomplaintandananswerhave  beenfiled,pretrialdiscoveryandmotionshavebeencompleted,evidencehasbeenpresented,andthepartieshaveargued t theircase#۝#.Cf.CharlesAlanWright&ArthurR.Miller,9Fed.PracticeandProc.Civ.2d2364(Underthefederal 8 guidelinesfortheexerciseofdiscretioningrantingvoluntarydismissal, [_i]f_Ԁthemotionismadeatanearlystageofthe L case,beforemuchhashappenedandonlylimitedresourceshavebeeninvested,itismorelikelytobegranted.Dismissal  maystillbeallowedatlaterstages,althoughanespeciallystrongshowingisrequired....).#Rۼ# _  xUSUS.,      16    RXXRTheoldcommonlawrulethataplaintiffcouldtakeanonsuitasofrightatanytimeuntilaverdictwas  recorded,seeGravesv.UnionRy.Co.,152S.W.2d1026,1028(Tenn.1941),wasstatutorilysupersededbytheActof t November2,1801,whichterminatedtherighttononsuitoncethejuryhadretired.LawsofTenn.,ch.6,58(1801) 8 ( [_E]very_Ԁpersondesirousofsufferinganonsuitontrialatlaw,shallbebarredtherefrom,unlesshedosobeforethejury L retirefromthebar.).Asubsequent,unbrokenlineofstatutesstretchinguptotheadoptionoftheTennesseeRulesof  CivilProcedurein1970retainedthisterminationpoint,althoughversionssubsequenttotheActof1801didnot  expresslyprohibitnonsuitafterthejuryhadretired.SeeOrderofTennesseeSupremeCourt,223Tenn.655,75152 H  (1970)(adoptingTennesseeRuleofCivilProcedure41.01);Tenn.CodeAnn.201311(1956)( Theplaintiffmay,  \ atanytimebeforethejuryretires,takeanonsuitordismisshisactionastoanyoneormoredefendants....);Tenn.   Codeof19328816( Theplaintiffmay,atanytimebeforethejuryretires,takeanonsuitordismisshisactionasto    anyoneormoredefendants....);Ann.CodeofTenn.4689(Shannon1896)[hereinafter ShannonsCode]( The X   plaintiffmay,atanytimebeforethejuryretires,takeanonsuitordismisshisactionastoanyoneormoredefendants  l  ....);Tenn.Codeof18843678(_Milliken_Ԁ&_Vertrees_)( Theplaintiffmay,atanytimebeforethejuryretires,take  0  anonsuit,ordismisshisaction,astoanyoneormoredefendants....);Tenn.Codeof18712964(Thompson&   _Steger_)( Theplaintiffmay,atanytimebeforethejuryretires,takeanonsuit,ordismisshisaction,astoanyoneormore h  defendants....);Tenn.Codeof18582964( Theplaintiffmay,atanytimebeforethejuryretires,takeanonsuit, ,|  ordismisshisaction,astoanyoneormoredefendants....).#R۝#  _  xUSUS.,      17    RXXRForexample,inCunninghamv.MemphisR.R.TerminalCo.,149_S.W._Ԁ103,106(Tenn.1912),thisCourt  construedShannonsCodesection4689identicallytosection4691whichprovidedthatinnonjurytrials,nonsuit shall t bemadebeforethecauseisfinallysubmittedtothecourt,andnotafterward(emphasisadded).TheCourtstated, 8  Construingthetwosectionstogether,itisclearthatanonsuitcannotbetakenafterthejuryhasretiredtoconsiderits L verdictinajurycase....Id.(emphasisadded).Seealso,e.g.,Darbyv._Pidgeon_ԀThomasIronCo.,232_S.W._Ԁ75(Tenn.  1921)( Inajurycasetheplaintiffmaytakeanonsuitatanytimebeforethejuryretires!thatis,beforethejuryhas  beguntoconsideroftheirverdict!butnotthereafter.)(emphasisadded)(citationsomitted);B.E.Dodd&Sonv. H  Nashville,Chattanooga&St.LouisRy.Co.,110_S.W._Ԁ588,590(Tenn.1908)(holdingthat,incourtsoflaw, [_i]f_Ԁthe  \ nonsuitbenottakenbefore[thecaseissubmittedtothejury],thecasemustproceedtojudgmentuponthemerits.)   (emphasisadded);Nashville,Chattanooga&St.LouisRy.Co.v._Sansom_,84_S.W._Ԁ615,61617(Tenn.1904)(holding    that thereshallbenononsuitallowedafteracasehasbeenfullycommittedtotheconsiderationofthejuryandrefusing X   todecidewhetheracourtmighteverbealloweddiscretiontograntanonsuitonceaplaintiffsabsoluterighthasended)  l  (emphasisadded);AnnotationNo.4.,ShannonsCode4689( [_U]nder_Ԁthestatute,[nonsuit]mustbetakenbeforethe  0  juryretires....)(emphasisadded).#R۝#XHXR   #RXXH #  x$USUS.,      9    _XXAoneyearsavingstatutecircumscribestheperiodinwhichaplaintiffisentitledtotakeasecondvoluntary  dismissalwithoutprejudice.SeeTenn.CodeAnn.281105(2000);Tenn.R.Civ.P.41.01(2)(3);Frazierv.E.Tenn. t BaptistHosp.,Inc.,55S.W.3d925,92728(Tenn.2001).#XHXq#2i)  x$USUS.,      18    _RXXRCompareArk.R.Civ.P.41(a)(2)( Avoluntarydismissalunderparagraph(1)operatesasanadjudication  onthemeritswhenfiledbyaplaintiffwhohasoncedismissedinanycourtoftheUnitedStatesorofanystate....) t (emphasisadded)withTenn.R.Civ.P.41.01(2)( [A]noticeofdismissaloperatesasanadjudicationuponthemerits 8 whenfiledbyaplaintiffwhohastwicedismissedinanycourt....)(emphasisadded).#Rۑ#(;3$2#  0  .3  0    _  xUSUS.,      19    XXSee,e.g.,Mo.Ann.Stat.510.130(1)(West2002)(allowingplaintiffsasingleopportunitytodismiss  voluntarilywithoutprejudiceasofright atanytimebeforethesameisfinallysubmittedtothejury...andnot t afterwardandprovidingasecondopportunitytononsuit afterthejuryhasbeenimpaneledonlybyorderofthecourt); 8 #ۮ#Va.CodeAnn.8.01380(A)(B)(_Michie_Ԁ2004)(allowingvoluntarydismissalasofright beforeamotiontostrikethe L evidencehasbeensustainedorbeforethejuryretiresfromthebarandprovidingthat [_o]nly_Ԁonenonsuitmaybetaken  ...asamatterofrightwithadditional_nonsuits_Ԁavailableonlybyorderofthecourt).#XHXہ# d !USUS.,  _XHXXXU0XXH#58HXXdd81OY=HXXdd=0      INTHESUPREMECOURTOFTENNESSEE  @@WW$ATKNOXVILLE#XHXU0\#RXXH & September9,2004Session L #XHXR# RXXH%  =HXXdXXd=DONALDR.LACY%ev.WESLEYB.COX%  %,etal.#XHXRF#  J  AppealbypermissionfromtheCourtofAppeals,EasternSection  J %  %%  %%  _Sevier_ԀCounty% ԀCircuitCourt  6 -@ No.% ! 2001386II%!tԀ% " RichardR.Vance,Judge%"Ԉ  " @*AV) ` dE<` A߈   @ No.E200300709SCR11CVFiledNovember22,_2004_Ԉ   AV) ` dE<h` A i   RXXH%  %N#XHXR-#Inajurytrial,theplaintiffmovedforandwasgrantedvoluntarydismissalwithoutprejudiceasof  rightwhilethejurywasdeliberating,andthejurywasdischargedbeforereturningaverdict.The  trialcourtlateracknowledgedthatithaderredbygrantingthevoluntarydismissalincontravention t ofTennesseeRuleofCivilProcedure41.01.However,thetrialcourtneverthelesssustainedthe ` voluntarydismissalwithoutprejudice#XHXXXH=#XHXXXH,denyingboththedefendantsposttrialmotiontodeemthe L dismissaltobewithprejudiceandtheplaintiffsmotionforanewtrial.Onappeal,theCourtof 8 Appealsheldthatalthoughaplaintiffsfreeandunrestrictedrighttovoluntarydismissalendsupon $t thejurysretirement,atrialcourthasdiscretiontograntavoluntarydismissalwithoutprejudiceafter ` thejuryhasretired.However,theCourtofAppealsdeemedtheplaintiffsvoluntarydismissalto L bewithprejudicebecausetheplaintiffhadsoughtandwasimproperlygrantedvoluntarydismissal 8 asofrightafterthejuryhadretired.ReversingtheCourtofAppeals,weholdthatatrialcourthas $ noauthoritytograntavoluntarydismissalwithoutprejudicewhilethejuryisdeliberating.The  uniqueaspectsofTennesseeRuleofCivilProcedure41.01,inparticulartheprovisionofuptotwo  voluntarydismissalsasofrightwhichareavailableuntilasignificantlylateproceduralstage,warrant   morerestrictionof#XHXXXH#XHXXXHatrialcourtsdiscretiontograntvoluntarydismissalthanisrequiredunder !  FederalRuleofCivilProcedure41andparallelstaterules.Plaintiffshaveotherproceduralavenues, p"! suchasthemotionforanewtrial,#XHXXXH #XHXXXHԀtoremedyerrorswhichmayoccurduringjurydeliberation. \#" Further,allowingtrialcourtsthediscretiontograntvoluntarilydismissalwithoutprejudicewhile H$# thejuryisdeliberatingcouldallowplaintiffstomanipulatetheforumandcouldwastejudicial 4% $ resources,andatrialcourtsabuseofdiscretioninthatregardwouldbeproblematictoremedy  &p!% adequately.Basedontheforegoing,weaffirmthejudgmentoftheCourtofAppealsthatplaintiffs  '\"& voluntarydismissalinthiscaseshallbewithprejudice. 'H#'  % $ Tenn.R.App.P.11;%$Judgmentofthe% % CourtofAppealsAffirmedinPart,ReversedinPart%%  * &* FrankF._Drowota_,III,C.J.,deliveredtheopinionofthecourt,inwhichE.RileyAnderson, ,', JaniceM.HolderandWilliamM.Barker,JJ.,andJ.S."Steve"Daniel,_Sp.J._,#XHXXXH#XHXXXHԀjoined. -(-H _ ԇ%  GeorgeR.Garrison,Sevierville,Tennessee,fortheappellant,DonaldR.Lacy.%  DanaHolloway,Knoxville,Tennessee,fortheappellee,JenniferL.Brandon%  %.  @66' OPINION  8     FactualandProceduralBackground   L  &#XHXXXH# XHXXXH  ThislawsuitarisesfromachainreactionautomobileaccidentthatoccurredinSevierCounty, $  Tennessee,onoraboutJune15,2000.Theplaintiff,DonaldR.Lacy,whiledrivinghisFordtruck   northwardonStateHighway66,wasfollowedinsuccessionbytwosimilarlynorthboundcars.   Accordingtotheplaintiff,therearmostcar,drivenbyJenniferL.Brandon,struckthemiddlecar   drivenbyWesleyB.Cox,therebypushingtheCoxvehicleintotheplaintiffstruckfromtherear.#XHXX XH#XHXXXH   #XHXXXH.# XHXXXH  TheplaintiffbroughtanegligenceactionagainstbothBrandonandCox,seeking \ compensationforpropertydamageandpersonalinjury.AfterCoxsettled,theplaintiffsclaim H against#XHXX XH# XHXXXHԀBrandon#XHXX XH# XHXXXHproceededinatwodaytrial.Afterallproofhadbeenpresentedandthejury 4 instructed,thejuryretiredtodeliberateitsverdict.Duringdeliberation,thejurysubmittedtothetrial  p courttwowrittenquestions.First,thejuryaskedwhetheritcouldviewcertainphotographsofthe  \ defendantscarwhichhadbeenshowntoitduringtrial.Thisrequestwasdeniedbecausethe H photographshadnotbeenenteredintoevidence.Second,approximatelytwohoursafter 4 deliberationshadbegun,thejuryaskedwhetheritwasobligatedtoawardtheplaintiffmonetary   damagesifitconcludedthatthedefendantwasatfault.Afterthetrialcourtansweredthisquestion,   theplaintiff,perhapsanticipatinganunfavorableverdict,movedforvoluntary#XHXX XH# XHXXXHdismissal(ornonsuit)#XHXX XH# XHXXXH  withoutprejudice.Despitethedefendantsobjection,thetrialcourtgrantedtheplaintiffsmotion#XHXX XH# XHXXXH  asifitwereamatterofright. #  1      #XHXX XH# XHXXXHԀThetrialcourttheninformedthejurythattheplaintiffsactionhad  been#XHXX XH# XHXXXHdismissedvoluntarily#XHXX XHM # XHXXXHandreleasedthejuryfromservice.  #XHXX XH # XHXXXH l   #XHXX XH!# XHXXXHSoonthereafter,thedefendantmovedthetrialcourttodeemtheplaintiffsvoluntary D! dismissaltobewithprejudice.ThedefendantarguedthatTennesseeRuleofCivilProcedure 0"   41.01(1)prohibitsaplaintifffromtakingavoluntarydismissalwithoutprejudiceoncethejuryhas #l! retiredtodeliberate;therefore,thetrialcourterredbygrantingplaintiffsnonsuitwithoutprejudice. #  2      ׀   Inresponse,theplaintiff,concedingunabashedlythathismotionhadbeenuntimely,#XHXX XH|!# XHXXXHԀaskedthetrial  courtforanewtrialonthegroundthatthetrialcourthaderredbygrantingthenonsuit.    Duringahearingonthemotions,thetrialcourtacknowledgedthatithaderredbygranting ` voluntarydismissalwithoutprejudiceafterthejuryhadretired.Duetothedifficultythetrialcourt L  hadinconceivingofanadequateremedyforitserror, #  3      #XHXX XHT$# XHXXXHԀthecourtdecidedsimplytoleaveintactthe 8  voluntarydismissalwithoutprejudiceinspiteofitsimpropriety.Consequently,thetrialcourtdenied $ t thedefendantsmotiontodeemthevoluntarydismissaltobewithprejudiceandalsodeniedthe  ` plaintiffsmotionforanewtrial.  L    #XHXX XH&#XHXXXHThedefendantappealedthejudgmenttotheCourtofAppeals,arguingthattheonlyadequate $  remedyforthetrialcourtserrorwastodeemtheplaintiffsvoluntarydismissaltobewithprejudice.   Inanothernearreversaloflegalposition,theplaintiffcontendedthatalthoughhisunqualifiedright   totakeanonsuitunderTennesseeRuleofCivilProcedure41.01(1)admittedlyendedoncethejury   hadretired,thetrialcourtneverthelesshaddiscretionatthatproceduralstagetograntavoluntary   dismissalwithoutprejudice.Theplaintiffsoughttovalidatethetrialcourtsjudgmentonthebasis p thatthecourtdidnotabuseitsdiscretion. \   TheCourtofAppealsheldthatalthoughnonsuitasamatterofrightisnolongeravailable 4 oncethejuryhasretired,atrialcourtneverthelesshasdiscretiontograntavoluntarydismissal  p withoutprejudiceevenwhilethejuryisdeliberating.TheCourtofAppealsbasedthisholdingon  \ Panzerv.King,743S.W.2d612(Tenn.1988).InPanzer,thisCourtheldthatatrialcourthas H discretiontograntplaintiffanonsuitafteramotionfornewtrialhasbeenproperlygranted.Id.at 4 61516.However,theCourtofAppealsrelieduponlanguageinPanzerthatextendedPanzers   holdingbeyondthelimitedproceduralcontextofthegrantingofanewtrial.Specifically,theCourt   ofAppealsappropriatelyemphasizedPanzersstatementthatitsholdingapplies atalltimes  subsequenttotheretirementofthejurytoconsideritsverdictatthefirsttrial.Id.at616.Although  theCourtofAppealscriticizedPanzerinthisregard, #  4      ׀itpointedoutthat,asanintermediateappellate  court,it isnotatlibertytolimitaruleadoptedbytheSupremeCourt. l #XHXXXH(#XHXXXH  TheCourtofAppealsencountereddifficultyincraftinganappropriateremedyfortheinstant D! case.Giventhatthetrialcourtgrantedthenonsuitasifitwereamatterofright,theCourtof 0"  Appealsfoundit impossible...todeterminewhetherthe[t]rial[c]ourtabuseditsdiscretionwhen  thatdiscretionwasneverused.Further,concerninghowtoremedythetrialcourtsparticularerror,#XHXXXH1#XHXXXH  theCourtofAppealsfoundnoguidanceinTennesseecaselaw.Basedonanalogousdecisionsfrom  otherstates #  5      ׀andTennesseeRuleofAppellateProcedure36(a),(d #  6      #XHXXXH3#XHXXXHԀtheCourtofAppealsreversedthe t trialcourt,holdingthattheplaintiffsvoluntarydismissalwastobewithprejudice. `   StandardofReview $ t 86   Conclusionsoflawaresubjecttodenovoreviewonappealwithnopresumptionof  L  correctness.S.Constructors,Inc.v.LoudonBd.ofEduc.,58S.W.3d706,710(Tenn.2001);Presley  8  v.Bennett,860S.W.2d857,85960(Tenn.1993).InterpretationoftheTennesseeRulesofCivil $  Procedureisaquestionoflaw.Dialv.Harrington,138S.W.3d895,897(Tenn.Ct.App.2003),per.   app.denied(Tenn.Mar.22,2004);seeGreenv.Moore,101S.W.3d415,418(Tenn.2003).      Analysis  p 9  TheissuebeforethisCourtiswhetherinajurytrialatrialcourthasdiscretiontogranta H plaintiffvoluntarydismissalwithoutprejudicewhilethejuryisdeliberating.#XHXXXHp5#XHXXXHVoluntarydismissalis 4 governedbyTennesseeRuleofCivilProcedure41.01,whichstatesinrelevantpart:  p *T  *T:  [T]heplaintiffshallhavetherighttotakeavoluntarynonsuittodismissanaction H withoutprejudicebyfilingawrittennoticeofdismissalatanytimebeforethetrial 4 ofacause...;orbyanoralnoticeofdismissalmadeinopencourtduringthetrial   ofacause;orinjurytrialsatanytimebeforethejuryretirestoconsideritsverdict   andpriortotherulingofthecourtsustainingamotionfordirectedverdict.*T:%;݌  Ќ  Tenn.R.Civ.P.41.01(1)(emphasisadded).#XHXXXH;:#XHXXXHAplaintiffsrighttovoluntarydismissalwithout  prejudiceissubjecttotheexceptionsexpresslystated.x #  7      ׀inRule41.01(1)aswellastoanimplied l exceptionwhichprohibitsnonsuitwhenitwoulddeprivethedefendantofsomevestedright.  Andersonv.Smith,521S.W.2d787,790(Tenn.1975).-T #  8      ׀#XHXXXH=#XHXXXHԀAplaintiffisfurtherlimitedtotakingno  morethantwononsuitswithoutprejudice,Tenn.R.Civ.P.41.01(2),andnonsuitcannotbetaken  morethanoneyearafteraninitialdismissal.7h #  9      ׀Aslongasnoneoftheseexceptionsandlimitations t servetorestrictdismissal,Rule41.01(1)affordsaplaintiffthefreeandunrestrictedrightto ` voluntarydismissalwithoutprejudicebeforethejuryretires.Ricketsv.Sexton,533S.W.2d293, L  294(Tenn.1976);Stewartv.Univ.ofTenn.,519S.W.2d591,592(Tenn.1974);seeLawrenceA. 8  Pivnick,Tenn.CircuitCourtPractice#XHXXXHF@#XHXXXH,23:1,at83435(2003).Insuchinstance, Thelawyerfor $ t theplaintiffisthesolejudgeofthematterandthetrialcourthasnocontroloverit.Rickets,533  ` S.W.2dat294.Aproformaordermustbeenteredbythetrialcourtforministerialandprocedural  L  purposes.Tenn.R.Civ.P.41.01(3).#XHXXXHC#XHXXXH+| #  10      ׀  8    AlthoughRule41.01(1)plainlyprovidesforvoluntarydismissalasamatterofright,theRule   doesnotexpresslyprohibitatrialcourtfromexercisingitsdiscretionthereaftertograntvoluntary   dismissalwithoutprejudice;inthisrespect,TennesseesRule41.01differssignificantlyfromits   federalcounterpart.FederalRuleofCivilProcedure41(a)outlinesatwoprongapproachto   voluntarydismissal.First,subjecttocertainexceptions,aplaintiffmayasamatterofright#XHXXXH^E#XHXXXH p voluntarilydismisswithoutprejudice atanytimebeforeservicebytheadversepartyofananswer \ orofamotionforsummaryjudgment,whicheverfirstoccurs....Fed.R.Civ.P.41(a)(1). H Notably,underTennesseeRule#XHXXXHSH#XHXXXHԀ41.01(1),theavailabilityofnonsuitasofrightterminatesata 4 considerablylaterproceduralstagethanunderFederalRule41(a)(1).Second,FederalRule41(a)(2)  p providesthatwhereRule41(a)(1)doesnotgovern,aplaintiffmayobtainvoluntarydismissal  \ withoutprejudice uponorderofthecourtanduponsuchtermsandconditionsasthecourtdeems H proper.Ontheotherhand,#XHXXXHI#XHXXXHԀTennesseeRule41.01,containingnoprovisionparalleltoFederalRule 4 41(a)(2)#XHXXXHK#XHXXXH,remainssilentonthematterofatrialcourtsdiscretionarypower.     SomeTennesseedecisionshaveinferredfromthesilenceofTennesseeRule41.01(1)atrial  courtsdiscretionarypowertograntortodenyvoluntarydismissal.InStewart,thisCourtheld:  *T  *TM  ݇TheFederalRuleprovidesforvoluntarydismissalby orderofcourt.The l TennesseeRulecontainsnospecificauthorizationforsuchvoluntarydismissal,but X  itisimplicitintheRuleandinherentinthepoweroftheCourtthat,underaproper D! #5 # #  setofcircumstances,theCourthastheauthoritytopermitavoluntarydismissal,  notwithstandingthependencyofamotionforsummaryjudgment.*TM.N݌  Ќ  *T  *TP  *TPP݌̌  519S.W.2dat593;seealso,e.g.,Anderson,521S.W.2dat790(followingStewart);Oliverv. t HydroVacServs.,Inc.,873S.W.2d694,69596(Tenn.Ct.App.1993)(followingStewart). ` Similarly,inPanzerv.King,743S.W.2d612,61516(Tenn.1988),thisCourtheldthatafteranew L  trialhasbeengranted,atrialcourthasdiscretiontograntvoluntarydismissalwithoutprejudice, 8  althoughadefendantretainstherighttoappealthetrialcourtsdecisiontograntanewtrial. $ t   InPanzer,theplaintiffsuedforthewrongfuldeathofhisdaughterinacaraccident.Id.at  L  613.Contendingthattheverdictof$15,200wasinadequate,theplaintifffiledamotionseeking  8  alternativelyaddituroranewtrial.Thetrialcourtgrantedanewtrialbasedontheinadequate $  verdictandonjurormisconduct./ #  11      ׀Id.Afterthetrialcourtgrantedanewtrial,theplaintiffthen   movedforandwasgrantedvoluntarydismissalwithoutprejudice.Id.at61314.Thedefendant   unsuccessfullyappealedtheorderofthenonsuit.ThisCourt,reversingtheCourtofAppeals,held   thatthedefendanthada vestedrightofappellatereviewofthetrialcourtsgrantingofanewtrial   whichmaynotbeextinguishedbytheplaintiffsvoluntarydismissal.Id.at614.However,this p Courtfurtherheldthatwhereanappellatecourtdeterminesthatanewtrialhasbeengranted \ correctly,thetrialcourtwouldthenhavediscretiontograntaplaintiffsvoluntarydismissalwithout H prejudice.Id.at61516.Panzersholdingthusarosewithinaveryspecificproceduralcontext: 4 voluntarydismissalfollowingthegrantofanewtrial.  p   Unfortunately,theholdingofPanzerwasarticulatedbroadlyinamannerthatextended H unnecessarilybeyonditslimitedproceduralcontext.ThePanzerCourtadoptedthemajorityposition 4 amongthestateswhichprovidesthattherighttovoluntarydismissalasofrightterminates atsome   pointinthefirsttrial,andthereafter,thegrantingofsuchdismissaliswithinthesounddiscretion   ofthetrialjudge.Id.at615(emphasisadded).ThePanzerCourtconcluded: Inconformitywith  themajorityofjurisdictions,weadopttheruleasstatedherein,applicableatalltimessubsequent  totheretirementofthejurytoconsideritsverdictatthefirsttrial.Id.at616(emphasisadded).#XHXXXH{L#XHXXXH    ThemajorityrulewhichPanzerexpresslyadoptedissubstantiallythesameastheFederal X  RuleofCivilProcedure41& #  12      #XHXXXHu]#XHXXXHԀandtherulesofmanystatesthatmirrorthefederalscheme.'h #  13      #XHXXXH^#XHXXXHԀSeeid. D! at616.#XHXXXH_#XHXXXHԀInshort,Panzerimportedthesecondprongofthefederalschemeintothesilenceof 0"  TennesseeRuleofCivilProcedure41.01.#XHXXXH`#XHXXXHԀ#XHXXXH`#XHXXXHԀAlthoughthebroadlanguageofPanzeraffordstrialcourts  thediscretiontograntvoluntarydismissalwhilethejuryisdeliberating,thePanzeropinioncontains  noindicationthattheCourtthereincontemplatedthesignificantdifferencesbetweenthefederalrule  andTennesseeRuleofCivilProcedure41.01#XHXXXHa#XHXXXH. t   Withrespecttotheissuenowbeforeus,themannerinwhichTennesseeRuleofCivil L  Procedure41.01(1)differsfromFederalRule41isofcrucialimportance.Aswithseveralother 8  states,TennesseesRule41.01notonlydepartsfromthefederaltwoprongscheme,seesupra,but $ t alsoterminatesvoluntarydismissalasofrightataproceduralstagethatissignificantlylaterthan  ` whatFederalRule41provides.WhereasFederalRule41(a)terminatesvoluntarydismissalasof  L  rightuponserviceofanansweroramotionforsummaryjudgment,whicheverfirstoccurs,  8  TennesseeRule41.01(1)allowsforvoluntarydismissalinajurytrial atanytimebeforethejury $  retirestoconsideritsverdict....3 #  14      ׀Underthefederalscheme,voluntarydismissalasofright   ends!andvoluntarydismissalbyorderofthecourtbegins!atthepretrialstage;itisthusreasonable   thatafederaldistrictcourtmightexerciseitsdiscretiontograntvoluntarydismissalwithout   prejudiceshortlyaftertherighttononsuithasexpired,forexampleearlyonthefirstdayoftrial.   However,thecombinationofthelateterminationpointforvoluntarydismissalasofrightin p TennesseeRule41.01(retirementofthejury)withPanzersimportationofthesecondfederalprong \ intoRule41.01producesaratheranomaloussituation:theearliesttrialstageatwhichaTennessee H trialcourtmayexerciseitsdiscretiontograntvoluntarydismissalwithoutprejudiceisduringthe 4 jurysdeliberationofitsverdict.Inthecontextofatrial,jurydeliberationisalateandunique  p proceduralmoment.4d #  15      ׀#XHXXXHb#XHXXXHԀ  \   AlthoughTennesseeRule41.01(1)supersedespredecessorandconflictingstatutes,seeTenn. 4 CodeAnn.163402,406(1994),comparisonoftheparticularlanguageofRule41.01(1)with   itsstatutorybackgroundisnonethelessinstructive,cf.Statev.Brewer,989S.W.2d349,355n.4   (Tenn.Crim.App.1997)(comparingTennesseeRuleofCriminalProcedure41(c)toitspredecessor  statutes).ThelanguageinRule41.01(1)thatvoluntarydismissalmaybetakeninjurytrials atany  timebeforethejuryretirestoconsideritsverdict!anditssilenceconcerningwhatmayhappen   thereafter!remainsinstepwithalongtraditionofpredecessor#XHXXXHk#XHXXXHTennessee#XHXXXH3o#XHXXXHstatutesthatterminateda l plaintiffsrighttononsuitatthejurysretirement.5 #  16      ׀Authoritiesinterpretingthesepredecessor   statutesindicatethatoncethejuryhadretired,voluntarydismissalwasabsolutelyprohibited.6 #  17      ׀For  example,in#XHXXXHo#Ligginsv.Padawer,14Tenn.App.201(1931)(applyingShannonsCodesection4689)XHXXXH,  theplaintiff,unnervedbyajuryquestionthatforebodeanunfavorableverdict,movedforandwas t deniednonsuitwhilethejurywasdeliberating.Onappealfromaverdictforthedefendant,the ` CourtofAppealsheldthatplaintiffsmotion cametoolate.Id.at204.Thiscaseillustrateshow L  courtsinterpretedthesilenceofthestatutesantecedenttoRule41.01(1)asprohibitingvoluntary 8  dismissalduringjurydeliberation. $ t   WiththeadoptionoftheTennesseeRulesofCivilProcedure,however,thestatutory  L  languagegoverningvoluntarydismissalwasincorporatedintoanew,rulebasedcontextinfluenced  8  stronglybytheFederalRulesofCivilProcedure.Thischangenaturallyandappropriately $  occasionedsomedevelopmentofTennesseecaselawalongthelinesoffederalprecedents,suchas   occurredinPanzer.TheCourtinPanzerfailed,however,topayadequateattentiontotheparticular   languageofTennesseeRule41.01(1)andtotheconsequencesofadoptingaruleframedmore  broadlythannecessitatedbytheproceduralpostureofthecasebeforeit.    Wethereforeholdthatatrialcourthasnoauthoritytograntavoluntarilydismissalwithout t prejudicefromthetimethejuryhasretireduptothejurysrenderingofaverdict;inotherwords, ` atrialcourthasnoauthoritytograntavoluntarydismissalwithoutprejudicewhilethejuryis L  deliberating.Thisbrightlineruleshouldbepracticableandclear.WedonotdisturbPanzer, 8  however,insofarasitholdsthatatrialcourthasdiscretiontograntvoluntarydismissalwithout $ t prejudicesubsequenttothepropergrantingofanewtrial.Thepropergrantofanewtrialis  ` sufficientlyanalogoustothecommencementofanewactiontojustifynonsuitundertheproper  L  circumstancesandsubjecttosuchtermsandconditionsasthecourtinitssounddiscretiondeems  8   appropriatetoprevent[the]defendantfrombeingunfairlyaffected.Panzer,743S.W.2dat612. $  Further,weneednotdecidehereinwhethervoluntarydismissalatthecourtsdiscretion#XHXXXHr#XHXXXHԀmaybe   appropriateinotherposttrialproceduralcontexts.     Ourholdingissupportedbyimportantpolicyandotherconsiderations.First,prohibiting   voluntarydismissalwhilethejuryisdeliberatingisnecessarytopreserveafairbalancebetweenthe p interestsofplaintiffsanddefendantsinTennessee.SomeofoursisterstatesresembleTennessee \ inasmuchastheyallowvoluntarydismissalasofrightuntilthejuryretires,yettheynevertheless H provideforvoluntarydismissalbyorderofthecourtthereafter.Forexample,ArkansasRuleofCivil 4 Procedure41(a)(1)statesthat anactionmaybedismissedwithoutprejudicetoafutureactionby  p theplaintiffbeforefinalsubmissionofthecasetothejury...,andArkansascaselawhasheldthat  \  whenitisrequestedbytheplaintiffafterfinalsubmissionofthecase,whethertograntamotion H forvoluntarynonsuitlieswithinthediscretionofthetrialcourt,Whitev.Perry,74S.W.3d628, 4 632(Ark.2002)(citingWrightv.Eddinger,894S.W.2d937(Ark.1995)).However,Arkansas   limitsaplaintifftoasinglevoluntarydismissalwithoutprejudiceasofrightwhereasTennessee   allowsuptotwosuchdismissals.9 #  18      ׀Otherstatesthatallowfordiscretionarynonsuitafterretirement  ofthejuryalsotendtorestrictthenumberofvoluntarydismissalswithoutprejudiceasofright#XHXXXHH|#XHXXXHto  one.= #  19      #XHXXXHk#XHXXXHԀTennesseethusalreadysuppliesplaintiffsliberally#XHXXXH#XHXXXHԀwiththerighttotwovoluntarydismissals  withoutprejudice.󀀀 l   Second,proceduralavenuesotherthanvoluntarydismissalareavailabletoplaintiffsinorder D! toremedytrialdefects.Forexample,aplaintiffwhoperceivesaproblem!suchasjury 0"  misconduct!duringthejurysdeliberationmayafterjudgmenthasbeenenteredmoveforanewtrial  orforamendmentoftheverdict.Tenn.R.Civ.P.59;seePivnick,Tenn.CircuitCourtPractice#XHXXXH#XHXXXH,  28:14#XHXXXH #XHXXXH.Alternatively,aplaintiffwhosemotionfordirectedverdictatthecloseofallevidencewas  notgrantedmayafterjudgmenthasbeenenteredmovefordirectedverdict.Tenn.R.Civ.P.50.02; t seePivnick,Tenn.CircuitCourtPractice#XHXXXH#XHXXXH,#XHXXXH#XHXXXH28:6.d#XHXXXH)#XHXXXH ` d  Third,aruleaffordingtrialcourtsthediscretiontograntvoluntarydismissalsduringjury 8  deliberationwouldbeproblematic.Conceivingofscenariosinwhichaplaintiffwouldhaveavalid $ t reasonforseekingnonsuitwhilethejuryisdeliberatingisitselfaformidabletask.#XHXXXH}#XHXXXHԀEvenassuming  ` avalidreasonwerepresent,itwouldbedifficulttoprovideanadequateremedyshouldatrialcourt  L  abuseitsdiscretioningrantingordenyingsuchdismissal.#XHXXXH'#XHXXXHԀ#XHXXXHC#XHXXXHGiventhatjurydeliberationisaunique  8  proceduraleventinwhichthepartiestypicallyhavenoactiveinvolvement,plaintiffsmotionmost $  likelywouldresultfromreadingthejuryscountenance,demeanor,andquestionsforsignsofan   imminentunfavorableverdict., #  20      #XHXXXH#XHXXXHԀAllowingnonsuitonsuchgroundsmightenableplaintiffstouse   voluntarydismissalstoshopforafavorablejury,aneventualitywhichnotonlywouldprovide   plaintiffswithanunfairadvantageoverdefendants,butalsocouldwastejudicialresourceson   multipletrialsthatarecompleteexceptfortheverdict.Asstatedabove,aplaintiffalreadyhas p proceduralremedies,likethemotionfornewtrial,forredressingtrialerrors,includingerrors \ occurringduringjurydeliberation.Fortheforegoingreasons,thisCourtdeterminesthatthebright H linerulewhichweadopthereinisappropriate. 4   Inthiscase,afterthejuryposedquestionswhichindicatedtotheplaintiffthatapotentially  \ unfavorableverdictwastocome,#XHXXXHi#XHXXXHtheplaintiffmovedforvoluntarydismissalasofrightwhenthe H plaintiffnolongerhadsuchrightunderTennesseeRuleofCivilProcedure41.01.#XHXXXH8#XHXXXHԀFurther,thetrial 4 courtwasnotaskednordiditpurporttoexercisejudicialdiscretionpursuanttoPanzeringranting   thenonsuit.Havingthusoccasionedthetrialcourtserroneousgrantofavoluntarydismissalasof   right,theplaintifflatermovedforandwasdeniedanewtrial.Undersuchcircumstances,allowing  theplaintifftotakevoluntarydismissalwithoutprejudicewouldcontradictthereasonssupporting  ourholdingthatatrialcourthasnoauthoritytograntavoluntarydismissalwithoutprejudicewhile  thejuryisdeliberating#XHXXXH!#XHXXXH.Therefore,weholdthattheplaintiffsvoluntarydismissalinthiscaseshall t bewithprejudice.#XHXXXH #XHXXXH ` #XHXXXHʖ#XHXXXH   Conclusion  $ t A  Basedonourholdinghereinthatthegrantingofvoluntarydismissalwithoutprejudiceis  L  prohibitedwhilethejuryisdeliberating,thejudgmentoftheCourtofAppealsinthisrespectis  8  reversed.However,weaffirmtheCourtofAppealsjudgmentthatintheinstantcasetheplaintiffs $  voluntarydismissalshallbedeemedtobewithprejudice.Costsofthisappealaretaxedtothe   plaintiff,DonaldR.Lacy.   #XHXXXH!#XHXXXH%  0  0` (#(#0 ` (#` (#0 (# (#0h(#(#_____________________________________ph(#h(# Ѐ   `     h FRANKF.DROWOTA,III,CHIEFJUSTICE#XHXXXHș#