Full Opinion

Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia ATLANTA,____________________ August 13, 2026 The Court of Appeals hereby passes the following order: A27A0085. KOREY MADDOX v. EDWARD MUMPHERY. This dispossessory matter originated in magistrate court. Following a magistrate court judgment in favor of Edward Mumphery, Korey Maddox filed a petition for review in superior court. The superior court issued a writ of possession, and Maddox filed this direct appeal. We, however, lack jurisdiction. Appeals from decisions of superior courts reviewing decisions of lower courts by petition for review must be initiated by filing an application for discretionary review. OCGA § 5-6-35(a)(1). “Compliance with the discretionary appeals procedure is jurisdictional.” Smoak v. Dep’t of Human Res., 221 Ga. App. 257, 257 (471 SE2d 60) (1996). Because Maddox seeks to appeal a superior court decision reviewing a decision of the magistrate court, he was required to file an application for discretionary review. His failure to do so deprives us of jurisdiction over this direct appeal, which is hereby DISMISSED. Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia Clerk’s Office, Atlanta,____________________ 08/13/2026 I certify that the above is a true extract from the minutes of the Court of Appeals of Georgia. Witness my signature and the seal of said court hereto affixed the day and year last above written. , Clerk.