Oklahoma’s Court of Civil Appeals has reversed a Garfield County District Judge’s ruling against Continental Resources Inc. in an 8-year legal fight over natural gas purchase agreements and attorney fees.
The Court declared the ruling by District Judge Tom Newby should be reversed in favor of Continental Resources which had been in a dispute with Hiland Partners Holdings LLC and Avansic Inc., Gavin W. Manes and Lance Watson.
Appeals had been made regarding attorney fees which were submitted after Continental had reached a settlement with Hiland Partners Holdings. The Civil Appeals Court determined, “we hold that once the case was dismissed and closed, the trial court lost jurisdiction and did not have authority to enter an award.”
The court said the order of the trial court awarding $20,000 in attorney fees and costs to the non-party is reversed.