Opinion ID: 2590642
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Order Granting Separate Trials

Text: We will first discuss Hartley's contention that we do not have jurisdiction as the separate trial order is an interlocutory order that is not appealable. We disagree. We have jurisdiction over this order; Szymanski's first appeal was consolidated with his second appeal pursuant to HRCP Rule 42 and the second appeal included a final judgment. An appeal from a final judgment brings up for review all interlocutory orders not appealable directly as of right which deal with issues in the case. Pioneer Mill Co., Ltd. v. Ward, 34 Haw. 686, 694 (1938). Because the cases were consolidated, we have jurisdiction to review Szymanski's appeal from the order granting separate trials. [10] The trial court's decision to hold separate trials is a matter within the sound discretion of the trial judge, and unless prejudice is shown, will not be reversed on appeal. Masaki v. General Motors Corp., 71 Haw. 1, 5 n. 1, 780 P.2d 566, 570 n. 1 (1989). Szymanski claims that he was prejudiced by the separate trials because (1) Szymanski's claims for damages against Okuno could not be resolved until Hartley's potential claims against Szymanski were resolved; and (2) Hartley had two opportunities to establish his claims against Szymanski, ostensibly by participating, including testifying, in both trials. Szymanski's claims are without merit. With respect to having to wait to resolve his damages claim against Okuno, Szymanski has not shown that he was prejudiced by the six week delay between the filing of the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law in the Okuno-Szymanski trial on March 31, 2003, and the order awarding Szymanski attorneys' fees and costs on May 12, 2003 following completion of the Szymanski-Hartley trial. With respect to Szymanski's claim that Hartley had two opportunities to establish his claims against Szymanski by participating in both trials, Szymanski has not shown that he was prejudiced. To the contrary, the record shows, and the circuit court found, that Szymanski relied upon the Szymanski-Hartley contract to show that he was a ready, willing, and able buyer in the Okuno-Szymanski transaction. Stated simply, Szymanski would not have prevailed against Okuno in the absence of the Szymanski-Hartley contract established substantially by Hartley's testimony in the first trial. In sum, Szymanski has not shown that he was prejudiced by the order granting separate trials, and the circuit court did not abuse its discretion in granting separate trials.