42 Pa. Commw. 135 | Pa. Commw. Ct. | 1979
Opinion by
Albert J. McMahon (McMahon) has filed a petition for review pursuant to Section 401 of the Appellate Court Jurisdiction Act of 1970, Act of July 31, 1970, P.L. 673, as amended, 17 P.S. §211.401
The matter presently before us involves Quinn’s preliminary objection in the nature of a motion to strike McMahon’s petition on the basis that this Court is without jurisdiction to hear the case. We agree that we lack jurisdiction and, therefore, sustain the motion to strike.
McMahon argues correctly that the Board is powerless to determine whether Quinn secured ownership of the Corporation in violation of Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code. Upon proper application, the Board is required by law to grant or transfer a liquor license if certain requirements are met. Obradovich Liqiuor License Case, 386 Pa. 342, 345-46, 126 A.2d 435, 437 (1956); Sections 404 and 468 of the Liquor Code (Code), Act of April 12, 1951, P.L. 90, as amended, 47 P.S. §§4-404 and 4-468. “The Liquor Control Board was designed and established to regulate the sale of liquor throughout the Commonwealth, not to adjudicate collateral issues. ...” Pittaulis Liquor License Case, 444 Pa. 243, 249, 282 A.2d 388, 390 (1971). Similarly, the Board is required to recognize new corporate officers or directors if they meet the requirements for
Here, Quinn was required to report to the Board when he and his mother became officers and directors of the Corporation. If the Quinns were found eligible to assume these positions, under the provisions of the Code, the Board was required to approve the change. The Board could not adjudicate McMahon’s Uniform Commercial Code claim and we cannot order the Board to refuse to act on Quinn’s notice of change while some other tribunal adjudicates the claim. Since we cannot exercise jurisdiction over the Board in this matter, we obviously have no authority over the individual defendants. McMahon’s petition for review must be stricken.
Our decision here does not leave McMahon remediless. If the Board approves Quinn and his mother as officers of the Corporation in violation of the Liquor Code, McMahon may appeal that determination to the Court of Quarter Sessions of Philadelphia County pursuant to Section 464 of the Liquor Code, 47 P.S. §4-464.
The preliminary objection in the form of a motion to strike the petition for review is sustained.
And Now, this 20th day of April, 1979, the preliminary objection of James J. Quinn, Jr. and Catherine Quinn in the nature of a motion to strike the petition for review, filed by Albert J. McMahon, is sustained and the petition is dismissed.
Repealed by Section 2(a) of the Judiciary Act Repealer Act, Act of April 28, 1978, P.L. 202, 42 P.S. §20002(a) [1443]. A similar provision is now found in the Judicial Code, 42 Pa.C.S. §761.
Previously, McMahon had filed a petition with this Court for a preliminary injunction. That petition was refused by Judge Mencer on September 21, 1978.
Quinn argues that this Court lacks jurisdiction because McMahon has failed to pursue an adequate administrative remedy at law. We need not reach this question because we find, for a different reason, that we are without subject matter jurisdiction in this case. A court may always raise sua sponte the issue of its own
Quinn states in his brief that the Board did approve the change in officers on October 20, 1978. Proof of such approval, however, is not evident on the record in this case and we are precluded from assuming the truth of the statement.