Opinion ID: 1904004
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Effect of the Absence of Joseph Conner's Signature

Text: The second issue is whether the arbitration agreement may be enforced against Joseph Conner, despite the fact that he did not technically sign the Agreement. The Conners raise this argument for the first time on appeal. We consider it only because this Court will affirm the trial court if its ruling is correct on any valid ground or rationale, even one rejected or not considered by the trial court. Rogers Foundation Repair, Inc. v. Powell, 748 So.2d 869, 872 (Ala.1999); see also Smith v. Equifax Servs., Inc., 537 So.2d 463, 465 (Ala.1988). As stated previously in this opinion, the Agreement does not contain Joseph Conner's signature, although it does contain his initials. It is well established, however, that [a] plaintiff cannot simultaneously claim the benefits of a contract and repudiate its burdens and conditions. Southern Energy Homes, Inc. v. Ard, 772 So.2d 1131, 1134 (Ala.2000); see Ex parte Stamey, 776 So.2d 85 (Ala.2000); Infiniti of Mobile, Inc. v. Office, 727 So.2d 42 (Ala.1999); Ex parte Dyess, 709 So.2d 447, 451 (Ala.1997); Ex parte Warren, 718 So.2d 45, 47-48 (Ala.1998) (the Court, in a plurality opinion, stated that one who asserts that she is not a party to a contract in order to avoid arbitration disclaim[s] any basis for recovery on her claims under the contract); see also Southern Energy Homes, Inc. v. Hennis, 776 So.2d 105, 108 (Ala.2000) (mobile-home buyer could not pursue his breach-of-express-warranty claim and at the same time, disavow the arbitration provision contained [in the written warranty]); Southern Energy Homes, Inc. v. Kennedy, 774 So.2d 540, 547 (Ala.2000) (plaintiffs were foreclosed from maintaining any claim they may have had against Southern Energy for its alleged breach of the express written warranty the plaintiffs swore by affidavit they never received); Delta Constr. Corp. v. Gooden, 714 So.2d 975, 981 (Ala.1998). The Agreement defines as the Owner Joseph and Rosa Conner whether one or more. Joseph initialed page two and Rosa signed page four twice as the Owner. Joseph and Rosa sued jointly for breach of the Agreement. Under our well-established caselaw, Joseph cannot simultaneously claim the benefits of the Agreement and repudiate its arbitration provision. For these reasons, the judgment of the trial court is reversed, and the cause is remanded. REVERSED AND REMANDED. HOUSTON, SEE, LYONS, BROWN, HARWOOD, and STUART, JJ., concur. JOHNSTONE, J., dissents.