Opinion ID: 1982643
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Rerustproofing

Text: Chambers contends the Superior Court's order providing for rerustproofing of inadequately rustproofed vehicles as a remedial option exceeds the court's power under section 209. We disagree. The UTPA vests the trial court with considerable discretion to fashion an equitable remedy once a finding of unlawful trade practices has been made. See 5 M.R.S.A. § 209 (Supp.1986). See also Commonwealth v. DeCotis, 366 Mass. 234, 316 N.E.2d 748, 756 (1974) (construing Mass. Ann.Laws c. 93A, § 4 (Law.Coop.1985)). Once a court has taken jurisdiction of a cause in equity and reached a decision, the court should and must fashion appropriate remedies to do complete justice. Common Cause v. State, 455 A.2d 1, 12 (Me.1983). The court's equitable powers assume an especially broad and flexible character when, as here, the public interest is involved. See Porter v. Warner Holding Co., 328 U.S. 395, 398, 66 S.Ct. 1086, 1089, 90 L.Ed. 1332 (1946). Unless a statute restricts the court's jurisdiction in equity, the full scope of that jurisdiction may be exercised. Id. We find further support for the Superior Court's construction and application of section 209 in the purpose and policy of the UTPA. See Eastern of Maine, Inc. v. Vintners Group Ltd. 455 A.2d 936, 941 (Me.1983); Schwanda v. Bonney, 418 A.2d 163, 165-66 (Me.1980). The UTPA, by providing for actions by the Attorney General, seeks to provide an efficient, inexpensive and broad solution to the alleged wrong. See 5 M.R.S.A. §§ 209, 213; Commonwealth v. DeCotis, 366 Mass. 234, 316 N.E.2d 748, 756 (1974). We conclude that section 209 does not preclude an order such as the one made by the Superior Court in this case. The rerustproofing option merely restores to customers the value, in service and material rather than cash, unjustly retained by Chambers by means of its inadequate rustproofing practices. The Superior Court's order providing for rerustproofing at the option of the injured customer was within its equitable powers as contemplated by the UTPA.