Opinion ID: 1404341
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Did The Superior Court Err In Granting Final Judgment Against S & B and Swayne When The Action Against Williams And Chena Mining Was Still Pending?

Text: Civil Rule 54(b) allows entry of final judgment against one or more but fewer than all of the claims and parties in litigation involving multiple parties or multiple claims upon an express determination that there is no just reason for delay. Entry of 54(b) judgment is discretionary; however, the policy against piecemeal litigation is very strong, and there must be a good reason for using 54(b). Johnson v. State, 577 P.2d 706, 710 (Alaska 1978). Here, at the time the superior court made its entry of Rule 54(b) judgment, the action had not been terminated as against Williams, individually, or Chena Mining. However, the issues of accord and liability under the promissory note had been decided. Two issues still remained to be determined by the superior court. The first issue was whether Northern Commercial would be able to pierce the corporate entity of B & W to establish the individual liability of Williams. The second issue required the superior court to determine exactly what type of entity Chena Mining was, and whether it could be held liable under the promissory note or its guaranty. Because Williams and Chena Mining were parties to the entire action, they were not in a position to relitigate the issues previously decided on summary judgment. Thus, there was no just reason to delay the entry of final judgment against those parties whose interests were no longer being litigated in the action. Moreover, it was apparent that delay would work a hardship on Northern Commercial. S & B had failed to pay its bills for a protracted period of time, and there was cause to doubt its solvency. Therefore, we hold that the superior court did not abuse its discretion in entering a final judgment against S & B and Swayne pursuant to Rule 54(b).