Opinion ID: 1058388
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Acquisition of Riparian Rights by Prescription

Text: The Braceys assert that even if we find the trial court erred in holding that they have riparian rights under the 1925 court order, we should still affirm the judgment of the trial court because the Braceys acquired riparian rights by adverse possession or prescription. The Braceys made this alternative argument at trial in addition to their claim of riparian rights pursuant to the 1925 court order. Here, the trial court's ruling did not address adverse possession or prescription, but instead relied solely on the legal effect of the 1925 court order to establish the Braceys' riparian rights. The trial court did, however, overrule the Association's oral motion to strike the claim relating to prescription or adverse possession at the close of the Braceys' case-in-chief. In considering a motion to strike for failure to establish a prima facie case, a trial court evaluates the evidence put on by the plaintiff in the light most favorable to that party, and is entitled to draw all fair inferences therefrom. Baysden v. Roche, 264 Va. 23, 25, 563 S.E.2d 725, 726 (2002); Hadeed v. Medic-24, Ltd., 237 Va. 277, 285-86, 377 S.E.2d 589, 593 (1989). Consequently, the trial court's denial of the Association's motion to strike did not resolve the issue. Considering the evidence in the light most favorable to the Braceys, the trial court only determined that the Braceys had presented enough evidence for their claim based on adverse possession or prescription to go forward. The Association then had the opportunity to present relevant evidence and did so in this case. Because the trial court erred in its holding regarding the legal effect of the 1925 court order and did not decide the claim of adverse possession or prescription, we will remand the matter to the trial court for consideration of the legal and factual efficacy of these remaining issues.