Opinion ID: 2191055
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Posttrial Motion

Text: For their final point on appeal, the Cochrans argue that they should be given the opportunity to renovate the structure so that it does contain an adequate kitchen, bathing facility, and bedrooms, thereby complying with the circuit court's interpretation of the covenants, instead of being forced to remove the entire structure. The Bentleys respond that because the Cochrans asserted no grounds for a new trial in their post-trial motion and no new trial was sought, the circuit court was correct in denying the Cochrans' motion under Ark. R. Civ. P. 59. They further state that the circuit court was never asked to rule on the Cochrans' modification remedy until all the proof was in and the judgment was entered. According to the Bentleys, the circuit court's findings were reasonable and justified by the proof, were not clearly erroneous, and should not be disturbed. We have not previously addressed this issue. In Holaday v. Fraker, supra , the appellants argued that the trial court clearly abused its discretion to grant injunctive relief by ordering them to remove their shop because the more equitable and appropriate remedy would have been to restrict their use of the structure. We declined to address the appellants' argument, holding that it was not presented to the chancery court. Nor do we find that the issue was timely raised in the instant case. Arkansas Rule of Civil Procedure 59 permits a circuit court to open a judgment once it has been entered, in an action tried without a jury: On a motion for a new trial in an action tried without a jury, the court may open the judgment if one has been entered, take additional testimony, amend findings of fact and conclusions of law or make new findings and conclusions, and direct the entry of a new judgment. Ark. R. Civ. P. 59(a) (2006). That being said, there are only certain grounds upon which a new trial may be granted: (a) Grounds. A new trial may be granted to all or any of the parties and on all or part of the claim on the application of the party aggrieved, for any of the following grounds materially affecting the substantial rights of such party: (1) any irregularity in the proceedings or any order of court or abuse of discretion by which the party was prevented from having a fair trial; (2) misconduct of the jury or prevailing party; (3) accident or surprise which ordinary prudence could not have prevented; (4) excessive damages appearing to have been given under the influence of passion or prejudice; (5) error in the assessment of the amount of recovery, whether too large or too small; (6) the verdict or decision is clearly contrary to the preponderance of the evidence or is contrary to the law; (7) newly discovered evidence material for the party applying, which he could not, with reasonable diligence, have discovered and produced at the trial; (8) error of law occurring at the trial and objected to by the party making the application. Ark. R. Civ. P. 59(a). The Cochrans, relying on the Michigan Supreme Court's decision in Sanborn v. McLean, 233 Mich. 227, 206 N.W. 496 (1925), requested in their motion for new trial that the circuit court grant them the option of modifying their structure to conform to the protective covenants. It is well settled that a motion for new trial is addressed to the sound discretion of the circuit court, and the circuit court's refusal to grant it will not be reversed on appeal unless an abuse of discretion is shown. See Jones v. Double D Props., Inc., 352 Ark. 39, 98 S.W.3d 405 (2003). An abuse of discretion means a discretion improvidently exercised, i.e., exercised thoughtlessly and without due consideration. See id. Here, the Cochrans requested that they be permitted to modify their structure, for the first time, in their motion for new trial. We have repeatedly held that an objection first made in a motion for new trial is not timely. See id. Stated differently, an issue must be presented to the circuit court at the earliest opportunity in order to preserve it for appeal. See id. For that reason, a party cannot wait until the outcome of a case to bring an error to the circuit court's attention. See id. Because the Cochrans waited until their motion for new trial to request a chance to modify their structure, the circuit court did not abuse its discretion in denying their motion for new trial. Nor was the Cochrans' posttrial motion proper under Ark. R. Civ. P. 52. That rule provides, in pertinent part: (b) Amendment. (1) Upon motion of a party made not later than 10 days after entry of judgment, the court may amend its findings of fact previously made or make additional findings and may amend the judgment accordingly. . . . Ark. R. Civ. P. 52(b)(1) (2006). By its plain language, the rule contemplates new findings and a movant's attempt to have those findings amended. Here, the Cochrans urged the circuit court to consider an alternative remedy, that of modification of the structure. Thus, the motion was not a true Rule 52(b) motion. See, e.g., Routh Wrecker Serv., Inc. v. Washington, 335 Ark. 232, 980 S.W.2d 240 (1998). Consequently, we cannot say that the circuit court erred in denying that portion of the Cochrans' posttrial motion request to modify the structure to conform with the protective covenants. With respect to the Cochrans' arguments regarding Sanborn v. McLean, supra , we do not find the Sanborn case to be persuasive authority. In that case, the appellate court permitted the building at issue to be modified, despite its being subject to a reciprocal negative easement. In the instant case, there existed an actual protective covenant, which applied to the Cochrans' lots since 1940, with which the Cochrans were charged notice. Moreover, the protective covenant in the instant case specifically provides that [n]o structure shall be . . . permitted to remain on any residential building lot other than one detached single family dwelling, . . . and a private garage . . ., and other out buildings incidental to residential use[.] (Emphasis added.) Because we have already determined that the structure constructed on the Cochrans' lot violates the restrictions of the protective covenant, we hold that the circuit court did not err in finding that it should not be permitted to remain and denying the Cochrans' request for modification. [4] For these reasons, we affirm the circuit court's denial of the Cochrans' posttrial motion. Affirmed.