Opinion ID: 2516450
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The judgment denying dissolution

Text: ¶ 6 In early 1997, Owen initiated this action in the district court in Ellis County against Sutter Ranch and his sisters. In his first claim, Owen sought dissolution of Sutter Ranch alleging shareholder dissension and oppressive conduct by the majority shareholders. [5] In their answer, defendants denied that plaintiff was entitled to seek dissolution of the corporation alleging that he specifically consented to a provision in the certificate of incorporation of Sutter Ranch which requires the consent of the holders of 75% of the shares to dissolve and liquidate. [6] ¶ 7 Defendants filed a motion for summary judgment on plaintiff's first claim for relief. In the motion, defendants argue that plaintiff specifically consented to a provision in Sutter Ranch's certificate of incorporation that increased the 25% requirement in 18 O.S.1991, § 953(D) to 75%. They contend that plaintiff, who owns only one-third of the shares, cannot bring this action. ¶ 8 In opposition to summary judgment, plaintiff contends that the super-majority provision in the certificate of incorporation relates only to voluntary dissolution by corporate action. He contends that the provision does not apply to a shareholder seeking dissolution by judicial action pursuant to § 953(D) and that the certificate of incorporation contains no language that restricts his § 953(D) right to seek judicial dissolution. ¶ 9 The district court sustained defendants' summary judgment motion. The court apparently held that by consenting to the super-majority provision in the certificate of incorporation, plaintiff was barred from seeking judicial dissolution. It determined that there was no just reason for delay in entering final judgment upon plaintiff's first claim for relief and directed the filing of a final judgment in favor of defendants. Plaintiff timely filed his petition in error and motion to retain the appeal in this Court. ¶ 10 This Court ordered plaintiff to show cause why the appeal should not be dismissed for lack of an appealable order or recast as a petition for certiorari review of a certified interlocutory order. Upon consideration of the show cause filings, this Court allowed the cause to proceed as an appeal from a final order resolving a separate claim for relief pursuant to 12 O.S.Supp.1999, § 994. This Court granted plaintiff's motion to retain. ¶ 11 A summary judgment disposes solely of issues of law and therefore, it is reviewable by a de novo standard. [7] In a de novo review, we have plenary, independent and non-deferential authority to determine whether the trial court erred in its application of the law and whether there is any genuine issue of material fact. [8]