Opinion ID: 874247
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Equitable Estoppel is applicable on the facts found by the district judge.

Text: The district court found that both equitable estoppel and part performance would allow enforcement of the settlement agreement. Because we find that equitable estoppel is an appropriate ground for avoidance of the statute of frauds, we do not address the district court's decision regarding part performance. [3] The district court's finding that Griffith and Porter are equitably estopped from avoiding the agreement resolves both the issue of their attorney's authority and the oral form of the settlement agreement. The elements of equitable estoppel are: (1) a false representation or concealment of a material fact with actual or constructive knowledge of the truth; (2) that the party asserting estoppel did not know or could not discover the truth; (3) that the false representation or concealment was made with the intent that it be relied upon; and (4) that the person to whom the representation was made, or from whom the facts were concealed, relied and acted upon the representation or concealment to his prejudice. J.R. Simplot Co. v. Chemetics Int'l, Inc., 126 Idaho 532, 534, 887 P.2d 1039, 1041 (1994). We have previously held that equitable estoppel is appropriate in a case where a purported agreement did not comply with the statute of frauds. Boesiger v. Freer, 85 Idaho 551, 556, 381 P.2d 802, 804 (1963). In the present case, as in Boesiger, application of equitable estoppel is appropriate on the facts as found by the district court. First, Griffith's and Porter's willingness to send their attorney to enter into settlement negotiations and to agree subsequently to the general terms amounts to conduct [that] undoubtedly was intended to and did convey the impression to [Ogden and Hurst] that [they] had an agreement. Id. at 560, 381 P.2d at 807. Second, it is uncontroverted that Ogden and Hurst were not aware that Griffith's and Porter's attorney lacked authority to enter into a binding agreement. Third, while Griffith and Porter argue that they did not give their attorney authority to settle the matter, the district court found otherwise, a finding that is supported by substantial and competent evidence. Griffith and Porter do not suggest that they did not intend for Ogden and Hurst to rely upon their attorney's representations. Finally, while Griffith and Porter argue that any reliance was unreasonable, the district court found otherwise. Given the testimony regarding the circumstances surrounding the agreement and the fact that reasonable people may properly rely on the representations of opposing counsel, that finding is supported by substantial and competent evidence. Griffith and Porter do not argue that no detriment ensued. For these reasons, we conclude that the district court properly determined that Griffith and Porter are equitably estopped from asserting the statute of frauds to avoid the settlement agreement.