Opinion ID: 1394767
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: historical exception

Text: Defendants next contend that plaintiff is not entitled to a jury trial because Article I, section 17, does not apply to appraisals. Defendant is correct in stating that Article I, section 17, does not give plaintiff a right to a jury trial in all civil matters. That right is impliedly limited, for example, by Article VII (Amended), section 3, which states in part that [i]n actions at law, where the value in controversy shall exceed $200, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved. This court also has stated that a jury trial is guaranteed only in those classes of cases in which the right was customary at the time the constitution was adopted or in cases of like nature. Cornelison v. Seabold, 254 Or. 401, 404-405, 460 P.2d 1009 (1969); see also State v. 1920 Studebaker Touring Car, et al, 120 Or. 254, 259, 251 P. 701 (1927); Tribou v. Strowbridge, 7 Or. 156, 158 (1879). We must, therefore, decide whether plaintiff had a well-established right to have a jury determine the amount of damages in an action on an insurance policy when our constitution was adopted. [8] The jury traditionally has determined whether a breach occurred and the consequent amount of damages in a contract action. See General Laws of Oregon, ch. 2, § 214, p. 192 (Civ.Code) (Deady 1845-1864); Whitten v. Griswold, 60 Or. 318, 118 P. 1018 (1911). A party always has been able, however, to waive his or her right to have a jury decide the issues. See General Laws of Oregon, supra, at § 218. For this reason, common law courts long have favored appraisal clauses in contracts. See Stemmer v. Insurance Company, 33 Or. 65, 49 P. 588, 53 P. 498 (1898). But, as a review of our early caselaw shows, in all instances in which appraisals were upheld, the provision was entered into voluntarily. [9] We find only one instance in which the legislature abrogated a party's right to a jury trial prior to the adoption of the constitution. In that instance, the trial court might, upon its own motion or either party's application, direct a referee to examine a long account or for the information of the court in a special proceeding. General Laws of Oregon, supra, at § 219, p. 193. Plaintiff here has assumed that this case was an action on a contract and therefore carried with it the right to trial by jury. This assumption is not unfounded because a jury trial on factual issues concerning an insurance policy long has been an established practice in this country. See Grant v. The Lexington Fire, Life & Marine Insurance Company, 5 Ind. 23 (1854) (action of assumpsit to recover on an insurance policy tried to a jury); Field v. Ins. Co. of North America, 3 Md. 244 (1852) (action of covenant brought to recover upon an insurance policy for damage to goods at sea); Vatton [Valton] v. National Ass. Co., 22 Barb. (NY) 9 (1854) (action to recover upon life insurance policy tried to jury on questions of whether policy was obtained by fraud or whether a false warranty was made). It is conceivable that another procedure for settling disputed insurance claims could be substituted for a contract action, as has occurred with some other formerly contractual disputes. But, as long as this form of dispute is tried as an action at law, a jury trial is required. We conclude that neither legislative antecedent nor caselaw supports defendants' argument for an historical exception for appraisals.