Except as provided in Section 684.1 of this title, an action may be dismissed, without prejudice to a future action:

1. 1. By the plaintiff, before the final submission of the case to the jury, or to the court, where the trial is by the court;
2. 2. By the court, where the plaintiff fails to appear on the trial;
3. 3. By the court, for the want of necessary parties;
4. 4. By the court, on the application of some of the defendants, where there are others whom the plaintiff fails to prosecute with diligence;
5. 5. By the court, for disobedience by the plaintiff of an order concerning the proceedings in the action; and
6. 6. In all other cases, upon the trial of the action, the decision must be upon the merits.

R.L. 1910, § 5125; Amended by Laws 2004, HB 2661, c. 368, § 3, eff. November 1, 2004 (superseded document available); Amended by Laws 2009, HB 1603, c. 228, § 5, eff. November 1, 2009 (repealed by Laws 2013, 1st Extr. Sess., SB 2, c. 13, § 1); Amended by Laws 2013, 1st Extr. Sess., SB 2, c. 13, § 2, as amended by Laws 2013, 1st Extr. Sess., SB 2, c. 13, § 3 (superseded document available).