UNPUBLISHED
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT
No. 98-620
In Re: JAMES EDWARD DAWKINS,
Petitioner.
On Petition for Writ of Mandamus.
(CA-97-171-5-MU, CA-97-172-5-MU)
Submitted: December 17, 1998 Decided: January 5, 1999
Before WILKINS, NIEMEYER, and TRAXLER, Circuit Judges.
Petition denied by unpublished per curiam opinion.
James Edward Dawkins, Petitioner Pro Se.
Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.
See Local Rule 36(c).
PER CURIAM:
James Edward Dawkins petitioned this court for a writ of man-
damus, alleging undue district court delay in issuance of process
in his civil action filed in November 1997. The writ of mandamus
is a drastic remedy and should be granted only in those extra-
ordinary situations when no other remedy is available. See In re
Beard, 811 F.2d 818, 826 (4th Cir. 1987). Because there has been
recent significant action in the district court case, including an
order directing the United States Marshal to effect service of
process, we find the petition to be moot and without merit. Al-
though we grant leave to proceed in forma pauperis, the petition is
denied. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal
contentions are adequately presented in the materials before the
Court and argument would not aid the decisional process.
PETITION DENIED
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