Opinion ID: 1203232
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: realignment of the parties

Text: On retrial the trial court must reevaluate the realignment in light of the fact that three of the borrowers' tort claims, bad faith tort, breach of fiduciary duty, and defamation, which resulted in the bulk of the evidence being admitted at trial, have now been eliminated. The only tort claims remaining are (1) Robert Erkins' claim of tortious interference with contract or tortious interference with prospective economic advantage, and (2) possibly the limited partners' claim of negligent misrepresentation. ( See Part X, infra. ) This action began as a mortgage foreclosure action. Regardless of whether a case is tried to the court or to the jury, the interpretation of a contract or other written document is a question of law for the court, not the finder of fact, unless there is an ambiguity, and then only the ambiguous portion is a factual issue. DeLancey v. DeLancey, 110 Idaho 63, 714 P.2d 32 (1986); Bergkamp v. Carrico, 101 Idaho 365, 613 P.2d 376 (1980). The rights, duties and responsibilities of the parties in this equitable foreclosure proceeding are to be determined by the court based upon the comprehensive group of documents negotiated and executed by the parties. [17] Carpenter v. Double R Cattle Co., 108 Idaho 602, 701 P.2d 222 (1985). The borrowers' counterclaims depend, to a greater or lesser degree, upon the determination of the rights and duties created by the original loan transaction and the trial court's findings of fact and conclusions of law on the equitable issues. In making these findings of fact, the judge may defer to, but is not bound by, findings made on similar factual issues by the jury on any legal counterclaim. State ex rel. McAdams v. District Court, 105 N.M. 95, 728 P.2d 1364, 1366 (1986) ([W]hen legal and equitable issues are joined in a lawsuit the trial court should first decide the equitable issues, and then if any independent issues remain, those issues may be tried to a jury upon appropriate request.); Penmont Enterprises, Inc. v. Dysart, 340 So.2d 1285 (Fla.App. 1977); Jaffe v. Albertson Co., 243 Cal. App.2d 592, 53 Cal. Rptr. 25, 36 (1966) ([W]hen a case involves both legal and equitable issues the court may in its discretion decide the equitable issues first. If the decision as to the equitable issues is such as is determinative of the legal issues a jury trial as to the latter is obviated. If not, the jury trial as to the remaining issues will follow.). However, the trial court should defer entry of judgment in the foreclosure proceedings until after determination of the counterclaim[s]. David Steed and Associates v. Young, 115 Idaho 247, 252, 766 P.2d 717, 722 (1988) (Johnson, J. concurring specially); Folkner v. Collins, 249 Iowa 1141, 91 N.W.2d 545 (1958). BOYLE, J., and SCHROEDER and McKEE, JJ. Pro Tem., concur.