Opinion ID: 1058030
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Variance Between Evidence and Allegations

Text: Bennett contends that the circuit court abused its discretion by allowing Sage to amend its defensive pleadings to include a defense of repudiation. We disagree. In determining whether the circuit court erred by permitting Sage to include a defense of repudiation in its pleadings, the issue is whether Bennett was prejudiced by the amendment. Code § 8.01-377. [2] Furthermore, this Court has held: [w]e adhere to the principle that a court may not base a judgment or decree upon facts not alleged or upon a right, however meritorious, that has not been pleaded and claimed. Every litigant is entitled to be told in plain and explicit language the adversary's ground of complaint. Like any other rule, however, this principle must be reasonably applied, keeping in mind that its purpose is to prevent surprise. In a case of variance, Code § 8.01-377 gives a trial court the discretion to apply the foregoing rule reasonably either by permitting amendment of the pleadings (and possibly postponing the trial) or, in lieu of amendment, by having the facts determined and rendering judgment, but only on the condition that no prejudice results. While the statute is remedial in purpose and should be liberally construed, it should not be interpreted in a manner inconsistent with its plain language. Syed, 280 Va. at 71, 694 S.E.2d at 632 (internal citations omitted). Sage moved to amend its answer to include the defense of repudiation prior to the close of Bennett's case-in-chief. According to Sage, the evidence presented during Bennett's case-in-chief added support to its repudiation defense. Specifically, Sage notes that Bennett testified that he had not been involuntarily terminated by Sage, further evidencing that he instituted the termination of the Agreement. The court granted Sage's motion to amend, stating: I think the facts were both known to both sides that the argument is already pretty much laid out even already the way we have been proceeding and has been in the pleadings that I have seen. In light [of the fact] that I don't believe it is prejudicial I am going to allow the amendment at this point, to allow them to argue repudiation at this point. Bennett's own testimony, offered during his case-in-chief, established facts which supported Sage's repudiation defense. Substantial justice was promoted by instructing the jury how to properly frame the issues based on the evidence presented at trial. Bennett's argument that he was prejudiced by the amendment is without merit because the evidence supporting Sage's repudiation defense was not only known to Bennett, but also offered by Bennett himself. Therefore, we hold that the circuit court did not abuse its discretion in allowing Sage to amend its answer to include a repudiation defense.