Opinion ID: 2221918
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: trial court's exercise of equity jurisdiction

Text: We now address the trial court's decision to vacate its previous order of dismissal and reinstate this case outside the court term. We first note that the proper standard of review in this case is de novo on the record because the Hornigs sought reinstatement pursuant to the district court's independent equity jurisdiction. On appeal, equity actions are reviewed de novo on the record and questions of law and fact are determined independently from the trial court's conclusions. Marten v. Staab, 249 Neb. 299, 543 N.W.2d 436 (1996). Apparently, there is some confusion as to the applicable standard of review because this court has previously stated, [a]n appellate court will reverse a decision on a motion to vacate or modify a judgment only if the litigant shows that the district court abused its discretion. Thrift Mart v. State Farm Fire & Cas. Co., 251 Neb. 448, 451, 558 N.W.2d 531, 535 (1997). In Thrift Mart, however, the plaintiffs sought reinstatement of their dismissed case under both the trial court's statutory authority and under its independent equity jurisdiction. To the extent that Thrift Mart reviewed the trial court's refusal to exercise its independent equity powers for abuse of discretion, that decision is overruled. The correct standard of review for a trial court's exercise of equity jurisdiction is de novo on the record, with independent conclusions of law and fact.