Opinion ID: 2005355
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: standard of review

Text: Before we can state the relevant facts, we must resolve the parties' dispute with respect to whether our review is for correction of errors of law, as claimed by UNI, or de novo, as asserted by the plaintiff. This case was filed as a declaratory judgment action in which the plaintiff sought a declaration of his contractual rights, together with an award of monetary damages and injunctive relief. Harrington claims his request for injunctive relief means the case was heard in equity, and therefore, review is de novo. See State ex rel. Miller v. Midwest Pork, L.C., 625 N.W.2d 694, 697 (Iowa 2001) (A request for injunctive relief is an equity action, and therefore, our review is de novo.). We review declaratory judgment actions according to the manner [in which] the case was tried in the district court. Owens v. Brownlie, 610 N.W.2d 860, 865 (Iowa 2000). The case before us was tried at law. The matter was filed as a law action, the district court indicated on the record that the case would be heard at law, and the court ruled on the few objections that were made. See Master Builders of Iowa, Inc. v. Polk County, 653 N.W.2d 382, 387-88 (Iowa 2002) (considering pleadings and whether court ruled on evidentiary objections at trial to determine whether case was tried in law or equity). Harrington points out, however, that he requested injunctive relief, and that is an equitable remedy. But [t]he fact that injunctive relief was sought is not dispositive of whether an action is at law or in equity, as an injunction may issue in any action. Green v. Advance Homes, Inc., 293 N.W.2d 204, 208 (Iowa 1980). As this court recently noted, An injunction may be obtained as an independent remedy by an action in equity, or as an auxiliary remedy in any action. Lewis Invs., Inc. v. City of Iowa City, 703 N.W.2d 180, 184 (Iowa 2005). Here, injunctive relief was sought as an auxiliary remedy for the defendant's alleged breach of contract. Thus, the existence of a request for an injunction does not alter our conclusion that this matter was tried as a law action. Because this matter was tried at law, our review is for the correction of errors of law. Iowa R.App. P. 6.4. We are bound by the trial court's findings of fact if they are supported by substantial evidence. See Home Builders Ass'n of Greater Des Moines v. City of West Des Moines, 644 N.W.2d 339, 344 (Iowa 2002). Upon our review of the record, we conclude the following facts are supported by substantial evidence.