Opinion ID: 1350268
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: procedural posture and the proper standard of review

Text: This case is before us on cross motions for summary judgment. The trial court entered judgment in favor of the lender on its motion, having determined that the exception to the usury statute does apply to the loan in question. The Court of Appeals reversed on the ground that the exception does not apply, in effect granting Giger's cross motion for summary judgment. I would reverse this case and remand it for trial because summary judgment is not proper at all. In granting summary judgment, the trial court necessarily determined that no disputed facts were in issue. This determination was based on a stipulation of the parties, entered into at the trial court's urging, that the application of the business purpose exception was solely an issue of law. Report of Proceedings, at 2. That purported stipulation is not binding on this court and it does not correctly describe the issues in this case. The determination that a given issue should be decided by the court or by the jury is clearly always made by the court. Therefore, while the parties are free to stipulate to issues of fact, whether or not a given issue is one of fact or of law is itself an issue of law. This court is not bound by stipulations of law. Rusan's, Inc. v. State, 78 Wn.2d 601, 606, 478 P.2d 724 (1970). We are free to conclude, despite the parties' stipulation, that whether or not the business purpose exception of RCW 19.52.080 applies to this loan is an issue of fact. The majority's discussion of the case makes it quite clear that this case does present disputed issues of fact and that summary judgment is therefore not appropriate at all. As argued below, questions of credibility concerning who said what to whom are dispositive. Even if the parties might be content to waive their rights to a jury, this appeals court is incapable of making determinations of credibility on the record alone. The issues presented here are clearly factual issues and normal standards appropriate to determinations of fact on summary judgment therefore apply.