Opinion ID: 2033184
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Effect of Legal Remedies Sought on the Equitable Claim

Text: In their brief, the shareholders urge us to accept the proposition that [t]he essential character of a cause of action to determine whether the right to jury trial exists is the relief it seeks. In support of this statement, the shareholders cite Carstens. This is a misstatement of the court's holding in that case. As noted earlier, the court explained that it was the nature of the case itself rather than solely the remedy that tips the balance in favor of or against providing a jury. Id. The court found that even though the trust beneficiaries were seeking money damages, a legal remedy, because the case could only be founded in equity, there was no right to a jury. Id. at 333-34 (Generally, the remedies of a beneficiary against the trustee are exclusively equitable.... The district court correctly sustained the motion to strike the demand for jury.).