40-422

40-422. Action by commission to enjoin violations or threatened violations; venue; time for answer; joinder of parties

A. When the commission is of the opinion that a public service corporation is failing or about to fail to do anything required of it by law or an order or requirement of the commission, or is doing or about to do or permitting or about to permit anything to be done contrary to law or any order or requirement of the commission, it shall commence a proceeding in the name of the state to have such violations or threatened violations prevented, either by mandamus or injunction. The commission shall bring the action in the superior court in the county in which the claim arose, or in which the corporation complained of has its principal place of business or an agent for any purpose, or in which the commission has its office.

B. The court shall specify a time, not exceeding twenty days after service of the copy of the complaint, within which the corporation complained of shall answer the complaint, and in the meantime the corporation may be restrained. Upon default of answer, or after answer, the court shall immediately try the action.

C. Such persons as the court deems necessary or proper to be joined as parties, in order to make the judgment, order or writ effective, may be joined as parties.