Ex Parte Howell

David C. Howell and Thelma Howell petition this Court for a writ of mandamus directing the Mobile Circuit Court to vacate its protective order entered on August 11, 1995. The Howells contend that the trial court abused its discretion in limiting discovery in their action against New York Life Insurance Company ("New York Life") and its agents, Bennie Dickey and Sidney Brevard.

A writ of mandamus is an extraordinary writ by which "a party seeks emergency and immediate appellate review of an order that is otherwise interlocutory and not appealable." Rule 21(e)(4), Ala.R.App.P. Before a writ of…