Opinion ID: 1172848
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: appropriate appellate review

Text: The Commissioner for Division Two of the Court of Appeals granted review December 22, 1983, recognizing review of a denial of summary judgment was proper to avoid a useless trial. See Glass v. Stahl Specialty Co., 97 Wn.2d 880, 652 P.2d 948 (1982). The Commissioner also referred to the trial judge's own statement that appellate review was appropriate. Plaintiffs moved to modify the Commissioner's ruling. This motion was denied. The Court of Appeals then transferred the case to this court pursuant to RAP 4.2(a)(4) as a matter of broad public import appropriate for disposition by the Supreme Court. The Hartleys contend discretionary review under RAP 2.3 is not proper in this case. They argue the trial court did not commit obvious error in denying summary judgment, nor would a trial be useless. They distinguish Glass v. Stahl Specialty Co., supra , on the basis that the earlier case involved application of new and novel legislation, whereas, under their analysis this case is covered by established case law. Plaintiffs further argue that admission of evidence at trial would have been discretionary with the trial judge, overturned only for an abuse of discretion. Jones v. Robert E. Bayley Constr. Co., 36 Wn. App. 357, 359, 674 P.2d 679 (1984). Thus, they argue appellate review is premature, and they are entitled to a chance to prove their case in court. [1] Judicial policy generally disfavors interlocutory appeals. Maybury v. Seattle, 53 Wn.2d 716, 721, 336 P.2d 878 (1959). In this instance, however, we are interpreting a new statute with wide implications for governmental liability. Thus, the issues are similar to those in Glass, in which we determined denial of a summary judgment motion to dismiss a party was not a final judgment, but was nevertheless appealable. In Glass, we found the trial court had committed obvious or probable error in its interpretation of the tort reform act, RCW 4.22.040; therefore, the case was treated as appropriate for discretionary review under RAP 2.3(b) and RAP 5.1(c). Glass, at 883. We reach a similar conclusion in this case. The questions of law raised as to the interpretation of the HTOA are appropriate for review. A useless lawsuit would be prevented by a decision in favor of dismissing the State and County as defendants.