Opinion ID: 1172230
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Cadet

Text: Cadet seeks costs and attorney's fees on appeal pursuant to I.A.R. 40 and 41, and I.C. §§ 12-120 and -121. As Cadet prevailed on appeal on the issue of its motion to dismiss, we award costs on appeal pursuant to I.A.R. 40. We decline, however, to award attorney's fees under I.C. § 12-121 because the Sammises' position on appeal was not unreasonable or frivolous. See Thompson, 125 Idaho at 901, 876 P.2d at 599 (citing Minich, 99 Idaho at 918, 591 P.2d at 1085). See also I.R.C.P. 54(e)(1). Although Cadet does not specify upon which subsection of I.C. § 12-120 it relies, § 12-120(3) appears to be the only provision which could potentially apply to the instant case. That subsection states: In any civil action to recover on an open account, account stated, note, bill, negotiable instrument, guaranty, or contract relating to the purchase or sale of goods, wares, merchandise, or services and in any commercial transaction unless otherwise provided by law, the prevailing party shall be allowed a reasonable attorney fee to be set by the court, to be taxed and collected as costs. The term commercial transaction is defined to mean all transactions except transactions for personal or household purposes. The term party is defined to mean any person, partnership, corporation, association, private organization, the state of Idaho or political subdivision thereof. We have held that attorney's fees are not warranted under this statute whenever a commercial transaction is remotely connected with the case. Kelly v. Silverwood Estates, 127 Idaho 624, 631, 903 P.2d 1321, 1328 (1995). Instead, an award of fees is only appropriate where the commercial transaction comprises the gravamen of the suit, where the commercial transaction is integral to the claim and constitutes the basis upon which the party is attempting to recover. Id., 903 P.2d at 1328 (citation omitted). Although the Sammises' based their claims against Cadet on two contractual theories (breach of express and implied warranties), the main thrust of their suit clearly sounded in tort, and the other two claims brought against Cadet (negligence and strict liability) reflect this focus. We therefore decline to award fees to Cadet under this statute.