Opinion ID: 1119403
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: On Remand, the Dismissal of Tenala's Counter- and Cross-Claims Should Be Made To Be Without Prejudice.

Text: Tenala argues that its counter- and cross-claims should have been granted at least with respect to Lots 5A and 5B and that portion of Lot 5D not enclosed by the east/west and north/south fences. Fowler responds that Tenala waived this argument by failing to raise it below. We have held that we will decline to review issues that are not raised at the trial court, except to the extent that they may constitute plain error. Miller v. Sears, 636 P.2d 1183, 1189 (Alaska 1981). Plain error exists where an obvious mistake has been made which creates a high likelihood that injustice has resulted. Id. (citing City of Nome v. Ailak, 570 P.2d 162, 171 (Alaska 1977)). An involuntary dismissal with prejudice is a harsh sanction which should only be applied in extreme cases. Power Constructors, Inc. v. Acres Am., 811 P.2d 1052, 1055 (Alaska 1991); Zeller v. Poor, 577 P.2d 695, 697 (Alaska 1978); Mely v. Morris, 409 P.2d 979, 982 (Alaska 1966). While Tenala did not ask for affirmative relief on its counter-claims and did not pursue its cross-claims, no prejudice to Fowler or the other defendants was shown. Therefore, we hold that it was plain error to dismiss Tenala's counter- and cross-claims with prejudice. We reverse the trial court's decision and remand with instructions that these claims be dismissed without prejudice.
For these reasons, we AFFIRM in part and REVERSE in part. We AFFIRM the holding that Mayo adversely possessed the areas of actual building encroachments in Lot 6 and acquired a fee title interest to these areas. We REVERSE the holding that Mayo adversely possessed the remaining easterly fifteen feet of Lot 6 and REMAND for entry of judgment giving Mayo a prescriptive easement to that part of Lot 6 for use as a driveway and storage area and for correction of the judgment to reflect these changes in the western boundary of Mayo's property. We AFFIRM the superior court's holding that Mayo, under color of title pursuant to AS 09.45.052(a), adversely possessed the disputed strip between Lots 5C and 5B. Likewise, we AFFIRM the superior court's finding that Mayo adversely possessed the fenced area of Lot 5D, but we REMAND so the judgment may be corrected to adjust the southern boundary of Mayo's property. We VACATE the attorney's fees and costs awards and REMAND for re-evaluation of these claims. Finally, we REVERSE the dismissal with prejudice of Tenala's counter- and cross-claims and REMAND with instructions that these dismissals be without prejudice.