Opinion ID: 1646864
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: By its pleadings Hospital sought damages from Blue Cross for breach of contract, and other relief equitable in nature.

Text: The case was submitted, tried and determined by the trial court as an action in equity. It is likewise submitted on appeal. Under these circumstances it will be considered by us de novo. Rules 344(a) (3), and 344(f) (7), R.C.P., and Henderson v. Hawkeye-Security Ins. Co., 252 Iowa 97, 100, 106 N.W.2d 86. While the scope of our review is the entire case it will be confined to those propositions relied on by each party for reversal. Steele v. Northup, 259 Iowa 443, 143 N.W.2d 302, 304. II. The factual situation presented in this case discloses the original contract between these parties, at time of the claimed modification, was executory. It had been partly performed by both but not completely performed by either. Siebring Mfg. Co. v. Carlson Hybrid Corn Co., 246 Iowa 923, 928, 70 N.W.2d 149; Williams v. Cassidy, 237 Iowa 1042, 1050, 23 N.W.2d 423; In re Capital Service, D.C., 136 F.Supp. 430, 434; and 17 C.J.S. Contracts § 7, page 576. III. Without question an executory contract may be effectively modified by one party with the consent of the other provided it does not violate the law or public policy. Stated conversely one party to a contract cannot alter its terms unilaterally or without assent of the other party. However the requisite consent may be either express or implied from acts and conduct Collins v. Gard, 224 Iowa 236, 240, 275 N. W. 392; Hueston v. Pointer Brewing Co., 222 Iowa 630, 634, 269 N.W. 754; In re Estate of Newson, 206 Iowa 514, 518, 219 N.W. 305; Sioux City and New Orleans Barge Lines, Inc. v. Brunson, D.C., 243 F.Supp. 198, 202; 17A C.J.S. Contracts § 373-375, pages 419-428; 17 Am.Jur.2d, Contracts, section 465, page 934; and Simpson, Law of Contracts, Hornbook Series, Second Ed., page 186. And whether a contract has been modified by the parties thereto is ordinarily a question of fact. Commercial Sav. Bank of Carroll v. Dunning, 202 Iowa 478, 484, 210 N.W. 599, 59 A.L.R. 983, and 17 Am. Jur.2d, Contracts, section 465, pages 934-936. IV. Although there is some degree of confusion as to the necessity of consideration to support a modification, we are not here called upon to consider that matter and do not do so. In this regard however see Siebring Mfg. Co. v. Carlson Hybrid Corn Co., 246 Iowa 923, 928, 70 N.W.2d 149; Williams v. Cassidy, 237 Iowa 1042, 1050, 23 N.W.2d 423; 17A C.J.S. Contracts § 376, page 428; 17 Am.Jur.2d, Contracts, section 469, page 939; 5 Drake L.Rev. 3; 47 Calif.L.Rev. 74, 92-98; and Simpson, Law of Contracts, Hornbook Series, Second Ed., pages 187-189.