Zep Manufacturing Co. v. Anthony

OPINION

Relator, Zep Manufacturing Co., asks this Court to order respondent, the Honorable Marsha Anthony, Judge of the 334th District Court of Harris County, to vacate her order that struck relator’s pleadings. The sole issue in this mandamus action is whether a trial court may sua sponte order sanctions when there is no motion for sanctions before the court, and no notice has been given that sanctions may be imposed.

The real parties in interest, Dorothy Lee Jennings and Tommie C. Jennings, Jr., who are the plaintiffs in the underlying personal injury lawsuit, have filed their response to…