Opinion ID: 1499932
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Limited Remand

Text: When this court remands a case and limits a subsequent trial to a particular issue, the trial court is restricted to a determination of that particular issue. Wall v. East Texas Teachers Credit Union, 549 S.W.2d 232 (Tex.Civ.App.Texarkana 1977, writ ref'd); McConnell v. Wall, 67 Tex. 352, 5 S.W. 681 (1887). Thus, in a subsequent appeal, instructions given to a trial court in the former appeal will be adhered to and enforced. Wall v. Wall, 143 Tex. 418, 186 S.W.2d 57 (1945, opinion adopted); Dessommes, 543 S.W.2d at 169. In interpreting the mandate of an appellate court, however, the courts should look not only to the mandate itself, but also to the opinion of the court. Wells v. Littlefield, 62 Tex. 28 (1884); Seale v. Click, 556 S.W.2d 95, 96 (Tex.Civ.App.Eastland 1977, writ ref'd n.r.e.). In this regard, we have observed that the cases are rare and very exceptional in which this court is warranted in limiting the issues of fact, in reversing and remanding a case where the trial has been by jury; and to authorize such interpretation, it must clearly appear from the decision that it was so intended. Cole v. Estell, 6 S.W. 175, 177 (Tex.1887). See Price v. Gulf Atlantic Life Ins., 621 S.W.2d 185, 187 (Tex.Civ.App.Texarkana 1981, writ ref'd n.r.e.). A critical factor in our determination of this case is that in the first appeal we reviewed a summary judgment. On review of summary judgments, the appellate courts are limited in their considerations of issues and facts. In such a proceeding, the movant is not required to assert every theory upon which he may recover or defend. [1] Thus, when a case comes up for a trial on the merits, the parties may be different, the pleadings may be different, and other causes of action may have been consolidated. See Governing Bd. v. Pannill, 659 S.W.2d 670, 680-81 (Tex.App. Beaumont 1983, writ ref'd n.r.e.). Other distinctions may be drawn; for instance, in reviewing the evidence to determine whether there are any fact issues in dispute, the appellate court must review the evidence in the light most favorable to the party opposing the motion for summary judgment. Gaines v. Hamman, 163 Tex. 618, 358 S.W.2d 557, 562 (1962). Thus, the context of a summary judgment proceeding is distinguishable from a full trial on the merits. The distinction between a summary judgment and a trial on the merits in regard to the law of the case doctrine was made in Pannill, where the court noted: Also, it is apparent that the record presented on this third appeal, being an appeal after a full and lengthy trial on the merits with the jury acting as a finder of facts, differs in a very material sense from the prior limited appeal. There is no error in the action of the trial court in declining to follow the law of the case as pronounced by another Court of Civil Appeals on a vastly different record. 659 S.W.2d at 681. In the case at hand, the trial amendments by purchasers and sellers changed both the scope and nature of the lawsuit. Purchasers argue that our remand language established the law of the case as to the existence of a valid contract. Therefore, they contend the trial court erred in allowing seller's trial amendment and issues asserting fraud in the inducement. We disagree. In this case, sellers moved for summary judgment, asserting breach of contract by purchasers as a defense. In summary judgment proceedings, the movant must conclusively establish the essential elements of his asserted theories of recovery or defense. City of Houston v. Clear Creek Basin Authority, 589 S.W.2d 671, 678 (Tex.1979). Breach of contract may have been the only theory which sellers believed they could conclusively establish. In regard to this theory, we held, on a single question of law (condition or covenant), that one of the terms of the contract was a covenant; therefore, a fact question existed and summary judgment was improper. Our holding in the first appeal, however, did not preclude sellers from asserting other defensive theories, including those attacking the validity of the contract, at a subsequent trial on the merits. Therefore, in light of the proceeding in which the question first arose, the trial court properly allowed sellers to assert the defense of fraud in the inducement. The court of appeals correctly determined purchaser's remaining points of error dealing with conflicting jury findings and the propriety of submitting certain issues on fraud. The judgment of the court of appeals is affirmed.