Opinion ID: 2212751
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Is the decree of October 31, 1974, an interlocutory judgment?

Text: In Cooper v. Commercial Casualty Ins. Co. [3] it was held that an adjudication determining the separate defense of no coverage in an automobile accident case was an interlocutory judgment and appealable. In that case the insurer raised separate defenses of no coverage and a noaction clause in the policy. This court held that the allegations as to the no-action clause constituted merely a plea in abatement and a determination as to that defense would be an order overruling such a plea and not appealable. However, this court also held that a separate defense of no coverage constituted a plea in bar, and not adjudication disposing of the merits of that defense was appealable, notwithstanding the issue of negligence of the insured remained to be tried before the liability of the insurer to the plaintiff could be determined. To qualify as an interlocutory judgment under sec. 270.54, Stats., a decree must finally determine some duty or liability. [4] The duty determined by an interlocutory judgment on a policy defense is the duty to defend the action on behalf of the insured. The Glens Falls Case is distinguishable because it does not involve a question of policy defenses. No duty or liability was determined by the interlocutory judgment in that case striking the affirmative defenses of accord and satisfaction and waiver or estoppel. Because no duty or liability was determined by the decree, it was not appealable. In this case a duty has been determined, and the decree is appealable.