ÿWPCu! 6ŠåL,Ê·5Ã}¯vPQíg†!б’ ØO)dø¿¾¾$}ž¿´)mý> í¡òÛn˜¾îíµ|Õ+Ù „‰TÊ—ïë j8FÓûû»¸@”-piv‘c߃êÖ9>‰ï‹O$ý*&åöÑÆÊ7˜özõ&XV%©Ð †ÜÆ7‹ókÑL¹~ù'(¾Àoÿ²·r1­6å<âekdU6{]~l©?ÎÙç4¯o½ O•I4M´€Fgw˜”]åüsgSZ<†.¶çC.˧,P3¯kÍ1‚¢’ޤ£ Ï-ö‚“46"ÞRa2Þ-&¶?€OÞÈ_%Á4w%X1^ùrVÇ^.Í Ó_‰iǧ×>9+LÍOX}7Õ1¦4vët¹©}P%ײÖ]‚64ëc2¤Þõ0FFE[@Y:“ÞeiÈ™ (+áõ]ücã“ûHZ),ZAYȨ̈E2…™Àfâç–Êr1Ûz•‚ºçM¤ÙÍîS3ÂXîûo.Á_£¿ú uÑ1Y5ùô¾aœƒV†Vá¤çLî³ÿJd(±k ¸ ĉ¥£ªÖYVTÏO\ŽÂ`ÕÊÅ{žêb”(übVÛÌ|-,Z×–‹wÕÇ©4#.ÑNö¯¬z‚õÆJ=.b %\^ b 0ˆnUNöwD4H\ zkÒå· m¹ ÅÐ 0D• ÆÙ ÆŸ Æe Æ+õñNæè¤øEœ0ž#ÁÎÎÎΓU @"bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj 0ërrrr B]] 0¤z D3 D-Q 0K~~ ASÉÆ 0¤â 0D† A«Ê »ù‘õ(L (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regularö~ì( œ3|x ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wptÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ »Ý ƒR¤<$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôÜò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€ôØ òòôÜÔAlthough€Mr.€Logan€initially€hired€Mr.€Winstead€pursuant€to€a€private€agreement,€the€trial€court€later€appointedÐ ° ÐMr.€Winstead€in€this€matter€in€response€to€Mr.€Logan's€reported€indigency€and€his€failure€to€pay€Mr.€Winstead€all€of€hisÐ |Ì Ðearned€fees.(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 ëÝ ƒR¤<$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôÜò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€ôØ òòôÜÔThe€tampering€with€the€evidence€charge€was€voluntarily€dismissed€by€the€State. Ý ƒR¤<$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôÜò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€ôØ òòôÜÔTennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€16„11„102(b)€provides€that€the€Chancery€Court€has€concurrent€jurisdiction€withÐ ° Ðthe€Circuit€Court€in€all€civil€causes€of€action€except€for€cases€involving€unliquidated€damages€for€injuries€to€person€orÐ |Ì Ðcharacter€or€injuries€to€property€not€resulting€from€a€breach€of€oral€or€written€contract. šÝ ƒR¤<$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôÜò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€ôØ òòôÜÔMr.€Logan's€most€recent€petition€for€post„conviction€relief,€in€which€he€complained€of€the€same€matters€thatÐ ° Ðare€the€subject€of€his€subsequent€civil€malpractice€suit€at€issue€in€this€case,€was€heard€in€the€Hawkins€County€CriminalÐ |Ì ÐCourt€in€August€1998.€€The€petition€was€denied€on€all€counts.€€The€Court€of€Criminal€Appeals€affirmed€the€judgmentÐ @ Ðin€November€1999.€€This€Court€denied€Mr.€Loganððs€Rule€11€application€for€appeal€on€February€28,€2000. &Ý ƒR¤<$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôÜò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€ôØ òòôÜÔMr.€Logan€alleged€a€number€of€acts€and€omissions€by€Mr.€Ô_ÔWinsteadÔ_Ô€that,€if€proven,€would€constitute€legalÐ ° Ðmalpractice,€including:€€(1)€failure€to€file€a€motion€to€suppress€evidence€and€failure€to€investigate€the€validity€of€theÐ |Ì Ðsearch€warrant;€(2)€failure€to€object€to€illegal€and€irrelevant€evidence;€(3)€failure€to€object€to€a€multiple€count€indictment;Ð @ Ð(4)€improperly€commenting€to€the€jury€about€the€sentence€Mr.€Logan€would€receive€if€convicted;€(5)€referring€to€Mr.Ð T ÐLogan€as€a€"jail€bird"€in€correspondence;€(6)€failure€to€ask€for€and€inspect€evidence€as€required€by€Tenn.€R.€Crim.€P.€16;Ð È Ð(7)€failure€to€file€a€motion€to€confront€the€confidential€informant;€and€(8)€failure€to€properly€respond€to€Mr.€Logan'sÐ ŒÜ Ðrequests€and€to€investigate€the€case.€€˜HP LaserJet 4Si,ü,,,,,ü0 ‰Ý ƒR¤<$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôÜò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€ôØ òòôÜÔOur€decision€in€this€appeal€should€not€be€read€as€expressing€an€opinion€on€the€merits€of€either€Mr.€LoganððsÐ ° Ðrequest€for€an€abeyance€or€Mr.€Ô_ÔWinsteadÔ_Ôððs€motion€for€summary€judgment.(ÖÃ9 Z‹(Times New Roman  - ù-(|G2¤<$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ê4»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôÜò»»Ô d(|39$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ê4»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|39$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ê4»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ê4»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€¼ê4»»»ÔÓ=€ê4»Ð»dÐd=ÓÔ€¼wË»»¼ê4Ôà@7 7 ìàIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@””$ìàAT€KNOXVILLEˆÐ  ÐÔ‡X5GX»¼wËÔà@‰‰"ìàÔ#†¼wË»XX5Gƒ#ÔMay€2000€SessionˆÐ Ô$ ÐÌò òÓ  ÓWILLIAM€JAMES€LOGAN€òòóóv.€HEISKELL€WINSTEADòòóóÔ‡X5GX»¼wËÔó óÐ øH ÐÓÓà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àà È àÌà@K K ìàò òAppeal€from€the€Circuit€Court€for€Hawkins€CountyˆÐ ø H Ðà@å å ìàNo.€5023J€€€€€€John€K.€Wilson,€JudgeˆÐ ä 4 ÐÌÌà@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<§` A߈Ð ¨ø  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àà È àÌà@ˆ ˆ ìàNo.€E1999„01056„SC„R11„CV€„€Filed€July€21,€2000ˆÐ £ó  Ðà@''"ìàFOR€PUBLICATION€ˆÐ ß  ÐßA€V) °°` dE<z` AßÐ {Ë  Ðó óÌÔ#†¼wË»XX5GA#ÔÔ€X5GX»¼wËÔThis€appeal€arises€from€a€prisonerððs€òòpro€seóó€action€for€legal€malpractice€against€the€attorney€whoÐ vÆ  Ðrepresented€him€in€criminal€court€on€the€charges€underlying€his€sentence.€€The€attorney€filed€aÐ b² Ðmotion€for€summary€judgment€supported€by€an€expert€affidavit.€€The€prisoner,€relying€uponÐ Nž ÐòòWhisnant€v.€Byrdóó,€525€S.W.2d€152€(Tenn.€1975),€filed€a€motion€to€hold€the€proceedings€in€abeyanceÐ :Š Ðuntil€he€was€released€from€prison€and€able€to€appear€in€court.€€The€trial€court€failed€to€rule€on€theÐ &v Ðmotion€for€abeyance.€€The€trial€court€€entered€summary€judgment€in€favor€of€the€attorney€on€theÐ b Ðgrounds€that€the€prisoner€had€not€offered€an€expert€affidavit€to€rebut€the€attorneyððs€proof.€€The€CourtÐ þN Ðof€Appeals€upheld€the€judgment.€€We€granted€review€to€determine€under€what€circumstances€anÐ ê: Ðincarcerated€plaintiff€is€entitled€to€have€a€civil€action€held€in€abeyance€until€he€or€she€is€releasedÐ Ö& Ðfrom€custody.€€We€have€determined€that€a€plaintiff€in€prison€has€no€absolute€right€to€have€civilÐ Â Ðproceedings€stayed€or€to€be€present€during€civil€litigation.€€Accordingly,€we€overrule€òòWhisnantóó€toÐ ®þ Ðthe€extent€that€it€may€be€interpreted€to€stand€for€that€proposition.€€Instead,€we€hold€that€an€abeyanceÐ šê Ðshould€be€granted€by€the€trial€court€only€when€reasonable€under€the€circumstances,€in€light€of€severalÐ †Ö Ðcompeting€interests.€€Because€the€trial€court€in€this€case€failed€to€consider€Mr.€Logan's€motion€toÐ r Ðhold€his€case€in€abeyance,€we€€remand€this€case€to€the€trial€court€for€further€proceedings€consistentÐ ^® Ðwith€this€opinion.Ð J š ÐÌTenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€Appeal€by€Permission;€Judgment€of€the€Trial€Court€and€Court€of€AppealsÐ ""r! ÐAffirmed€in€Part;€Reversed€in€Part;€and€Remanded€Ð #^" ÐÌòòFrank€F.€Ô_ÔDrowotaÔ_Ô,óó€III,€J.,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€whichòò€óó€òòE.€Riley€Anderson,€C.J.,Ð æ$6 $ ÐÔ_ÔAdolphoÔ_Ô€A.€Birch€Jr,€Janice€M.€Holder€&€William€M.€Barker,€JJ.óó€joined.Ð Ò%"!% ÐÌKenneth€F.€Irvine,€Jr.,€Eldridge€&€Irvine,€Knoxville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€William€JamesÐ ª'ú"' ÐLogan.€Ð –(æ#( ÐÌThomas€L.€Kilday€and€Thomas€J.€Garland,€Milligan€&Coleman,€Greeneville,€Tennessee,€for€theÐ n*¾%* Ðappellee,€Heiskell€Winstead.Ð Z+ª&+ Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àÌà@66'ìàò òOPINIONó óˆÐ 2-‚(-ý' ЇòòóóòòÓ  Óò òFactual€Backgroundó óóóÐ ° ÐÓ  Óà  àOn€April€12,€1996,€pursuant€to€a€search€warrant€obtained€in€connection€with€informationÐ œì Ðfrom€a€confidential€informant,€Hawkins€County€police€officers€searched€the€home€of€theÐ ˆØ Ðappellant,€William€J.€Logan.€€During€the€search€they€recovered€several€€zip„lock€bags€filled€withÐ tÄ Ðcocaine,€as€well€as€large€quantities€of€cash.€€Mr.€Logan€was€indicted€on€June€3,€1996,€in€theÐ `° ÐCriminal€Court€for€Hawkins€County,€and€was€charged€with€simple€possession€of€cocaine,Ð L œ Ðpossession€of€a€controlled€substance€with€the€intent€to€sell,€and€tampering€with€evidence.€€Mr.Ð 8 ˆ ÐLogan€hired€the€appellee,€Heiskell€Winstead,€an€attorney€in€Rogersville,€to€defend€him€on€theÐ $ t Ðcharges.׃ ×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€€He€was€tried€in€the€Hawkins€County€Criminal€Court€on€June€20,€1996,€and€wasÐ  ` Ðconvicted€of€the€two€drug„related€felony€counts.׃ä×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Mr.€Logan€was€sentenced€to€two€six„year€termsÐ ü L  Ðthat€were€to€run€concurrently.€€He€is€presently€incarcerated€in€a€Tennessee€Department€ofÐ è 8  ÐCorrection€facility€in€Mountain€City,€Tennessee.€€Ð Ô$  ÐÌà  àMr.€Winstead€continued€to€represent€Mr.€Logan€post„trial€by€filing€a€Motion€for€a€NewÐ ¬ü  ÐTrial,€which€was€denied€by€the€trial€court.€€Mr.€Winstead€then€filed€a€notice€of€appeal€on€Mr.Ð ˜è  ÐLogan's€behalf€and€represented€him€during€his€appeal€as€of€right.€€The€Court€of€Criminal€AppealsÐ „Ô  Ðaffirmed€the€conviction€on€January€12,€1998.€€Mr.€Winstead€next€filed€an€application€forÐ pÀ Ðpermission€to€appeal€to€this€Court€on€Mr.€Logan's€behalf,€but€Mr.€Logan€subsequently€filed€aÐ \¬ Ðmotion€to€voluntarily€dismiss€the€petition.€€Mr.€Logan€filed€numerous€post„conviction€petitionsÐ H˜ Ðand€petitions€for€habeas€corpus€relief€in€state€and€federal€court,€however€Mr.€Winstead€obtainedÐ 4„ Ðpermission€to€withdraw€from€representation€during€this€period.׃x×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Ð  p ÐÌà  àOn€April€8,€1998,€Mr.€Logan,€acting€òòpro€seóó,€filed€a€complaint€against€Mr.€Winstead€in€theÐ øH ÐChancery€Court€for€Hawkins€County€alleging€legal€malpractice€and€seeking€both€compensatoryÐ ä4 Ðâ âand€punitive€damages.Ô_Ô׃X ×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ô_Ô€€The€complaint€was€then€transferred€to€the€Circuit€Court€pursuant€toÐ Ð  ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„11„102(b).׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€€Mr.€Winstead€filed€a€motion€for€summary€judgment€onÐ ° Ðâ âSeptember€25,€1998.€€As€support€for€the€motion,€he€filed€his€own€affidavit€in€which€he€stated€theÐ œì Ðfacts€concerning€his€representation€of€Mr.€Logan€and€his€expert€opinion€that€he€did€not€violateÐ ˆØ Ðthe€applicable€standard€of€care.€€Ð tÄ ÐÌà  àRelying€on€òòWhisnant€v.€Byrdóó,€525€S.W.2d€152€(Tenn.€1975)€and€òòSmith€v.€Peeblesóó,€681Ð L œ ÐS.W.2d€567€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1984),€on€September€29,€1998,€Mr.€Logan€filed€a€"Motion€to€Put€inÐ 8 ˆ ÐAbeyance"€asking€the€trial€court€to€continue€the€proceedings€until€he€was€released€from€custody.€ò òó óÐ $ t ÐHe€then€filed€a€response€to€the€motion€for€summary€judgment,€in€which€he€again€asked€the€courtÐ  ` Ðto€continue€the€proceedings.€€In€an€attachment€to€the€response,€he€wrote:€€Ð ü L  ÐÌà8  àThe€plaintiff€has€already€filed€a€motion€to€put€this€case€in€abeyance.€€He€is€alsoÐ Ô$  Ðresponding€to€the€defendant's€summary€judgment€further€asking€that€his€case€beÐ À  Ðput€in€abeyance€until€the€plaintiff€is€released€from€prison.€€The€summary€judgmentÐ ¬ü  Ðshould€be€dismissed€until€discovery€is€completed€and€until€the€plaintiff€is€releasedÐ ˜è  Ðfrom€prison.Ð„Ô Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àThe€trial€court€did€not€rule€on€Mr.€Logan's€request€for€an€abeyance€of€the€proceedings.€€Ð \¬ ÐOn€December€21,€1998,€Mr.€Logan€filed€a€"Motion€to€Waive€Oral€Argument"€in€which€he€askedÐ H˜ Ðthe€court€to€adjudicate€the€motion€for€summary€judgment€solely€on€the€record.€€The€motionÐ 4„ Ðasserted:€€"Plaintiff,€by€law,€cannot€appear€since€he€is€incarcerated,€and€waives€all€oral€argument.€Ð  p ÐIt€would€not€be€just,€nor€fair,€for€this€Court€to€allow€oral€argument€by€one€party,€when€the€otherÐ  \ Ðparty€is€precluded€from€'appearing'€by€law."€Ð øH ÐÌà  àOn€January€4,€1999,€the€trial€court€granted€Mr.€Winstead's€motion€for€summary€judgmentÐ Ð  Ðon€the€record€and€without€oral€argument.€€In€its€order,€the€court€stated€that€"the€recordÐ ¼  Ðestablishes,€without€dispute,€that€the€defendant,€at€all€times,€represented€the€plaintiff€inÐ ¨ø Ðconformity€with€the€custom,€practice€and€prevailing€standard€of€similarly„situated€attorneysÐ ”ä Ðpracticing€in€the€community€and€that€there€was€no€deviation€therefrom€which€proximatelyÐ €Ð Ðcontributed€to€cause€any€injury€or€damages€to€the€plaintiff."€€The€order€did€not€address€Mr.Ð l¼ ÐLogan's€requests€to€hold€the€matter€in€abeyance€pending€his€release€from€prison.Ð X ¨ ÐÌà  àMr.€Logan,€acting€òòpro€seóó,€appealed€the€judgment.€€The€Court€of€Appeals€affirmed€theÐ 0"€  Ðentry€of€summary€judgment€in€favor€of€Mr.€Winstead,€finding€that€€Mr.€Winstead€met€his€burdenÐ #l! Ðof€proof€by€filing€his€expert€affidavit€stating€that€he€had€not€violated€the€applicable€standard€ofÐ $X" Ðcare.€€The€intermediate€court€held€that€Mr.€Logan€"offered€no€.€.€.€proof€by€way€of€expertÐ ô$D # Ðtestimony€concerning€the€applicable€standard€of€care€for€a€criminal€defense€attorney€in€thisÐ à%0!$ Ðjurisdiction€or€how€this€standard€of€care€was€breached€by€the€defendant.€€As€such,€he€has€failed€toÐ Ì&"% Ðestablish€the€essential€elements€of€his€case."Ð ¸'#& Їà  àWe€granted€Mr.€Logan's€petition€to€appeal€in€order€to€examine€the€abeyance€issue€and€toÐ ° Ðrevisit€the€òòWhisnantóó€case€relied€upon€by€Mr.€Logan.€€Specifically,€we€consider€under€whatÐ œì Ðcircumstances€an€incarcerated€plaintiff€is€entitled€to€have€a€civil€action€held€in€abeyance€until€heÐ ˆØ Ðor€she€is€released€from€prison.€€Because€we€have€determined€that€an€incarcerated€plaintiff€has€noÐ tÄ Ðabsolute€right€to€have€civil€proceedings€stayed€or€to€be€present€during€civil€litigation,€we€overruleÐ `° ÐòòWhisnantóó€to€the€extent€that€it€may€be€read€to€stand€for€that€proposition.€€Instead,€an€abeyanceÐ L œ Ðshould€be€granted€by€the€trial€court€only€when€reasonable€under€the€circumstances,€in€light€ofÐ 8 ˆ Ðseveral€countervailing€considerations,€such€as€the€length€of€the€prisoner€litigant's€sentence,€theÐ $ t Ðdifficulty€of€the€prisoner€in€presenting€proof,€the€burden€on€the€court€in€maintaining€a€docket€onÐ  ` Ðwhich€such€claims€will€indefinitely€remain,€the€impracticability€of€litigating€a€suit€many€yearsÐ ü L  Ðafter€its€filing€because€memories€fade€and€witnesses€become€difficult€to€locate,€and€a€defendantððsÐ è 8  Ðright€to€have€claims€against€him€or€her€timely€adjudicated.€€Because€we€conclude€that€the€trialÐ Ô$  Ðcourt€in€the€instant€case€erred€by€failing€to€consider€and€rule€on€Mr.€Logan's€motion€for€anÐ À  Ðabeyance,€we€reverse€the€judgments€of€the€trial€court€and€the€Court€of€Appeals€and€remand€thisÐ ¬ü  Ðcase€for€further€proceedings€consistent€with€this€opinion.Ð ˜è  ÐÌÓ  ÓòòÌÌò òThe€Abeyance€Issueóóó óÐ H˜ ÐÓ(1Óà  àRelying€upon€òòWhisnant€v.€Byrdóó,€Mr.€Logan€argues€that€the€trial€court€erred€by€not€holdingÐ 4„ Ðhis€malpractice€action€in€abeyance€until€he€was€released€from€prison.€€In€òòWhisnantóó€we€held:Ð  p ÐÌà8  à[A]€prisoner€has€a€constitutional€right€to€institute€and€prosecute€a€civil€actionÐ øH Ðseeking€redress€for€injury€or€damage€to€his€person€or€property,€or€for€theÐ ä4 Ðvindication€of€any€other€legal€right;€however,€this€is€a€qualified€and€restrictedÐ Ð  Ðright.€Ð¼ Ð Ð  ÐÌÓ  Ó*€*€*€*€òòóó€€Ð ”ä ÐÓÎ3ÓÌà8  à[A]bsent€unusual€circumstances,€prisoners€who€have€filed€their€civil€complaints,Ð l¼ Ðunrelated€to€the€legality€of€their€convictions€and€who€have€thus€protectedÐ X ¨ Ðthemselves€against€the€running€of€any€statute€of€limitations,€will€not€be€affordedÐ D!” Ðthe€opportunity€to€appear€in€court€to€present€their€cases€during€their€prison€terms.€Ð 0"€  ÐInstead€such€matters€will€be€held€in€abeyance€until€the€prisoner€shall€have€beenÐ #l! Ðreleased€from€prison€and€is€in€a€position€to€prepare€and€present€his€case.€Ð$X"Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àòòÔ_ÔWhisnantÔ_Ôóó,€525€S.W.2d€at€153„54.€òòSeeóó€òòalsoóó€òòSmith€v.€Peeblesóó,€681€S.W.2d€567,€569€(Tenn.Ð à%0!$ ÐCt.€App.€1984)€(òòcitingóó€òòWhisnantóó€and€stating:€ð ðIn€the€instant€case€plaintiff€prisonerððsÐ Ì&"% Ðððconstitutional€right€to€institute€and€prosecute€a€civil€actionðð€was€effectively€denied€when€theÐ ¸'#& ÐTrial€Judge€refused€a€continuance€and€dismissed€plaintiffððs€complaint€for€ððfailure€to€prosecute.ðð).Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌà  àMr.€Winstead€argues€that€òòWhisnantóó€and€òòSmithóó€apply€only€to€the€right€of€prisoners€toÐ |*Ì%) Ðappear€at€the€òòtrialóó€of€their€civil€suits,€but€they€do€not€guarantee€a€right€to€be€present€during€theÐ h+¸&* Ðdisposition€of€pre„trial€matters,€nor€do€they€discuss€how€a€trial€court€should€handle€pre„trialÐ ° Ðmatters.€€Contending€that€a€motion€for€summary€judgment€is€a€pre„trial€matter,€Mr.€WinsteadÐ œì Ðargues€that€Mr.€Logan€had€no€right€to€be€present€during€the€trial€courtððs€consideration€of€theÐ ˆØ Ðmotion,€and,€accordingly,€no€right€to€an€abeyance€of€proceedings.€€Ð tÄ ÐÌà  àAs€support€for€this€argument,€Mr.€Winstead€cites€òòSanjines€v.Ortwein€&€Assocs.óó,€984Ð L œ ÐS.W.2d€907€(Tenn.€1998),€in€which€a€òòpro€seóó€inmate€simultaneously€filed€a€legal€malpracticeÐ 8 ˆ Ðaction€against€his€attorney€and€a€post„conviction€claim€alleging€ineffective€assistance€of€counsel.€Ð $ t ÐThe€defendant€filed€a€motion€for€summary€judgment€in€the€civil€action,€and€the€plaintiff€askedÐ  ` Ðthe€trial€court€to€stay€the€malpractice€action€until€the€conclusion€of€the€post„convictionÐ ü L  Ðproceedings.€€€In€deciding€that€the€prisoner€was€not€entitled€to€a€stay€of€the€malpractice€suit,€thisÐ è 8  ÐCourt€observed€that:€€à ¸ àà  àÐ Ô$  ÐÌà8  àWhile€the€Court€in€òòWhisnantóó€was€concerned€with€the€rights€of€inmates€to€file€civilÐ ¬ü  Ðcomplaints,€the€Court€did€not€hold€that€a€stay€is€necessary€in€all€civil€actions€filedÐ ˜è  Ðby€incarcerated€persons€in€order€to€prevent€prejudice€to€the€judicial€process.€Ð „Ô  ÐNeither€did€the€Court€hold€that€such€persons€have€a€constitutional€right€to€a€stay€ofÐ pÀ Ðtheir€civil€actions.€€The€Court€was€concerned€only€with€the€rights€andÐ \¬ Ðqualifications€of€an€inmate€to€appear€in€court€for€trial.€€òòWhisnantóó€does€not€discussÐ H˜ Ðhow€a€trial€court€should€handle€pre„trial€matters€such€as€stays€of€proceedings€inÐ 4„ Ðinmate€civil€actions.Ð pÐ Ð  ÐÌòòÔ_ÔSanjinesÔ_Ô€v.€Ortweinóó,€984€S.W.2d€at€910.Ð øH ÐÌÌà  àWhile€the€òòSanjinesóó€case€dealt€with€a€plaintiffððs€filing€of€simultaneous€civil€and€post„Ð ¼  Ðconviction€actions,€its€language€makes€clear€that€incarcerated€plaintiffs€do€not€have€aÐ ¨ø Ðconstitutional€right€to€a€stay€of€their€civil€proceedings.€€We€agree€with€Mr.€Winstead€and€with€ourÐ ”ä Ðreasoning€in€òòSanjinesóó€and€hold€that€although€òòóóincarcerated€plaintiffs€have€a€constitutional€right€toÐ €Ð Ðinitiate€and€prosecute€a€civil€action,€they€do€not€retain€an€absolute€right€to€have€civil€litigationÐ l¼ Ðheld€in€abeyance€until€they€are€released€from€custody,€nor€do€they€retain€an€absolute€right€to€beÐ X ¨ Ðpresent€at€each€stage€of€the€proceedings.€€Accordingly,€we€overrule€òòÔ_ÔWhisnantÔ_Ôóó€to€the€extent€that€itÐ D!” Ðmay€be€interpreted€to€guarantee€incarcerated€plaintiffs€these€absolute€rights.Ð 0"€  Ѐ€€ò òó óÐ #l! Ðà  àInstead,€we€hold€that€the€decision€of€whether€or€not€to€stay€civil€proceedings€for€aÐ $X" Ðprisoner€is€left€to€the€discretion€of€the€trial€court.€€Acting€on€a€case„by„case€basis,€the€trial€courtÐ ô$D # Ðmust€weigh€the€competing€interests€of€the€inmateððs€ability€to€present€proof€and€the€burden€on€theÐ à%0!$ Ðjudicial€system€and€the€defendant€in€continuing€the€action.€€In€reviewing€a€trial€courtððs€ruling€on€aÐ Ì&"% Ðmotion€for€abeyance,€appellate€courts€should€employ€an€abuse€of€discretion€standard€of€review.€Ð ¸'#& ÐòòSeeóó€òòSanjines€v.€Ortweinóó,€984€S.W.2d€at€909.Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌà  àOne€of€the€main€factors€to€be€considered€by€the€trial€court€in€considering€a€motion€forÐ |*Ì%) Ðabeyance€is€whether€the€inmate€will€be€released€from€prison€and€able€to€appear€in€court€within€aÐ h+¸&* Ðreasonable€amount€of€time€from€the€filing€of€the€suit.€€€This€determination€will€unmistakably€varyÐ ° Ðfrom€one€case€to€the€next.€€Besides€the€length€of€the€prisonerððs€remaining€sentence,€otherÐ œì Ðcountervailing€interests€should€be€considered€by€the€court,€including€the€burden€on€the€court€inÐ ˆØ Ðmaintaining€a€docket€on€which€such€claims€will€remain€for€an€extended€period,€and€theÐ tÄ Ðinconvenience€and€impracticability€of€litigating€a€suit€several€years€after€its€filing.€€Not€only€willÐ `° Ðprisoners€have€a€more€difficult€time€presenting€proof€if€their€cases€are€held€in€abeyance,€butÐ L œ Ðdefendants€have€a€right€to€have€claims€against€them€timely€adjudicated.€€The€longer€a€suit€is€heldÐ 8 ˆ Ðin€abeyance,€the€more€difficult€it€will€be€to€try€on€its€merits.€€Witnesses€may€move€or€pass€away,Ð $ t Ðmemories€will€fade,€and€proof€will€become€harder€to€obtain.€€It€is€in€everyoneððs€best€interest€„€theÐ  ` Ðcourtððs,€plaintiffððs,€and€defendantððs€„€to€require€the€incarcerated€litigantððs€suit€to€proceed,€whenÐ ü L  Ðreasonable€under€the€circumstances.€€However€we€hasten€to€add€that€when€a€trial€court€denies€aÐ è 8  Ðprisonerððs€request€for€an€abeyance,€it€should,€within€its€discretion,€afford€the€prisoner€sufficientÐ Ô$  Ðtime€for€filing€briefs€and€motions€and€for€conducting€discovery.€€This€is€especially€true€whenÐ À  Ðinmates€are€proceeding€òòpro€seóó.€€Trial€courts€should€waive€the€time€requirements€of€the€Rules€ofÐ ¬ü  ÐCivil€Procedure€and€set€reasonable€time€restrictions€in€such€instances.ò òà  àà x àà Ð àÐ ˜è  Ðà  àÌó óà  àMany€suits€ò òó ócan€be€adjudicated€on€the€pleadings.€€Motions€to€dismiss,€motions€forÐ pÀ Ðsummary€judgment,€and€other€such€pre„trial€matters€can€be€litigated€by€an€inmate€in€custody.€€WeÐ \¬ Ðrecognize,€as€Mr.€Logan€points€out,€that€a€prisoner€filing€or€rebutting€a€motion€for€summaryÐ H˜ Ðjudgment€supported€by€an€expert€affidavit€might€have€a€more€difficult€task€in€obtaining€an€expertÐ 4„ Ðaffidavit€than€would€a€litigant€who€is€not€incarcerated.€€In€such€instances€trial€courts€should€grantÐ  p Ðadditional€time€to€prisoners€to€prepare€relevant€filings,€as€the€circumstances€of€the€case€direct.€Ð  \ ÐNonetheless,€we€are€of€the€opinion€that€an€incarcerated€litigant,€acting€òòpro€seóó€or€having€theÐ øH Ðbenefit€of€an€attorney,€can€prepare€and€support€pre„trial€motions.€€With€the€discretion€of€the€trialÐ ä4 Ðcourt€in€granting€necessary€extensions€of€time,€prisoners€should€be€able€to€proceed€in€accordanceÐ Ð  Ðwith€the€Rules€of€Civil€Procedure.€€Ð ¼  ÐÌà  àMoreover,€requiring€incarcerated€plaintiffs€to€prosecute€civil€claims€will€serve€toÐ ”ä Ðeliminate€the€many€frivolous€actions€by€inmates€that€burden€the€court€system.€€In€order€to€spareÐ €Ð Ðdefendants,€potential€witnesses€and€the€courts€the€burden€of€having€prisonersðð€civil€actions€heldÐ l¼ Ðin€abeyance€for€years,€trial€courts€should€be€permitted€to€dispose€of€frivolous€suits€via€pre„trialÐ X ¨ Ðmotions.€€For€example,€if€a€plaintiffððs€legal€malpractice€allegations€lack€merit,€he€or€she€wouldÐ D!” Ðfind€it€difficult€to€obtain€an€expert€witness€willing€to€state€in€an€affidavit€that€the€defendantÐ 0"€  Ðviolated€the€applicable€standard€of€care.€€Holding€such€a€case€in€abeyance€until€the€prisoner€hasÐ #l! Ðbeen€released€from€custody€would€be€an€exercise€in€futility€and€would€unduly€burden€the€courtÐ $X" Ðand€the€defendant.Ð ô$D # ÐÌà  àIn€the€instant€case,€we€conclude€that€the€trial€court€erred€by€failing€to€rule€on€Mr.€LoganððsÐ Ì&"% ÐMotion€to€Put€in€Abeyance.€€Not€only€does€such€an€omission€give€the€impression€that€a€litigant€isÐ ¸'#& Ðbeing€ignored,€but€appellate€review€becomes€more€difficult€without€an€order€specifying€reasonsÐ ¤(ô#' Ðfor€a€trial€courtððs€grant€or€denial€of€a€motion.€€In€this€case,€Mr.€Ô_ÔWinsteadÔ_Ô€moved€for€summaryÐ )à$( Ðjudgment€on€September€25,€1998.€€Four€days€later,€Mr.€Logan€filed€a€motion€requesting€that€theÐ |*Ì%) Ðmatter€be€held€in€abeyance€until€his€release€from€prison.€€In€addition,€Mr.€Logan€asked€thatÐ h+¸&* Ðð ðsummary€judgment€be€dismissed€until€discovery€is€completed.ðð€€The€trial€court€never€ruled€uponÐ ° ÐMr.€Loganððs€abeyance€motion,€and€approximately€three€months€later,€the€trial€court€granted€Mr.Ð œì ÐÔ_ÔWinsteadÔ_Ô€summary€judgment€upon€the€record€without€oral€argument.Ð ˆØ ÐÌà  àAs€previously€explained€herein,€incarcerated€plaintiffs€do€not€have€an€absolute€right€toÐ `° Ðhave€civil€litigation€held€in€abeyance€until€they€are€released€from€prison.€€However,€suchÐ L œ Ðplaintiffs€are€entitled€to€have€requests€for€abeyances€considered€and€determined€under€theÐ 8 ˆ Ðappropriate€legal€standards.€€There€is€nothing€in€the€record€of€this€appeal€to€indicate€that€the€trialÐ $ t Ðcourt€gave€any€consideration€to€Mr.€Loganððs€request€for€an€abeyance.€€Under€theseÐ  ` Ðcircumstances,€the€trial€court€erred.€€Therefore,€we€reverse€the€judgments€of€the€trial€court€andÐ ü L  Ðthe€Court€of€Appeals€which€granted€summary€judgment€to€Mr.€Ô_ÔWinsteadÔ_Ô.€€We€remand€this€caseÐ è 8  Ðto€the€trial€court€to€consider,€pursuant€to€the€guidelines€set€forth€in€this€opinion,€whether€Mr.Ð Ô$  ÐLoganððs€request€for€an€abeyance€should€be€granted.€€If,€in€its€discretion,€the€trial€court€determinesÐ À  Ðthat€an€abeyance€is€not€appropriate,€the€trial€court€may€deny€Mr.€Loganððs€request€for€an€abeyanceÐ ¬ü  Ðand€rule€upon€Mr.€Ô_ÔWinsteadÔ_Ôððs€motion€for€summary€judgment€after€affording€Mr.€Logan€sufficientÐ ˜è  Ðtime€to€respond€to€the€summary€judgment€motion.Ô_Ô׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ô_ÔÐ „Ô  Ðò òÓ  ÓòòÌConclusionóóó óÐ \¬ ÐÓÿbÓà  àThe€Court€wishes€to€thank€Kenneth€F.€Irvine,€whom€we€appointed€to€represent€Mr.€LoganÐ H˜ Ðin€this€appeal,€for€his€outstanding€performance€throughout€the€proceedings€in€this€Court.€€€WeÐ 4„ Ðcommend€Mr.€Irvine€for€his€dedicated€representation€of€Mr.€Logan€and€appreciate€his€willingnessÐ  p Ðto€assist€and€the€time€he€has€volunteered€to€serve€the€administration€of€justice€in€this€state.€€Mr.€Ð  \ ÐLogan€will€proceed€pro€se€on€remand€in€the€trial€court.Ð øH ÐÌà  àThe€judgments€of€the€trial€court€and€the€Court€of€Appeals€are€affirmed€in€part,€reversed€inÐ Ð  Ðpart,€and€the€cause€is€remanded.€€Costs€of€this€appeal€are€taxed€equally€between€the€appellant,Ð ¼  ÐWilliam€J.€Logan€and€the€appellee,€Ô_ÔHeiskellÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔWinsteadÔ_Ô.Ð ¨ø ÐÌÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à_______________________________________Ð D!” Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àFRANK€F.€Ô_ÔDROWOTAÔ_Ô,€III,€Ô_ÔJUSTICEÔ_Ôà Ð àÐ 0"€  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àà È àà  àà x àà Ð à