Department of Transportation v. Defoor

I agree that the trial judge had authority under OCGA § 32-3-17.1 to consolidate the cases for trial despite the consent nominally required by OCGA § 9-11-42 (a), and that the trial court did not abuse the discretion vested in it by OCGA § 32-3-17.1. However, I disagree that the two code sections are in conflict. Upon an application of the rule which requires that statutes be construed if possible so as to find no conflict and give application to both, I find that one is *221not abrasive of the other. Central of Ga. R. Co. v. State of Ga., 104 Ga. 831, 842 (2) (31 SE 531) (1898); McPherson v.…