Opinion ID: 1188848
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: JUDGE WOOD HAD THE AUTHORITY TO RECONSIDER THE PRIOR RULINGS OF JUDGE BECKER UNDER I.R.C.P. 11(a)(2)(B)

Text: The Shireys assert that the doctrine of law of the case prohibited Judge Wood from reconsidering an issue previously decided by Judge Becker, unless Judge Becker's decision was clearly erroneous. We disagree. Under Rule 11(a)(2)(B) of the Idaho Rules of Civil Procedure, a court may reconsider its legal rulings before a final judgment has been entered. In this case, Judge Wood reconsidered the rulings of Judge Becker before the entry of a final judgment, and, therefore, acted with authority under the rule. The doctrine of law of the case is inapposite to these proceedings. Cf. Frazier v. Neilsen & Co., 118 Idaho 104, 106, 794 P.2d 1160, 1162 (Ct.App.1990) (doctrine of law of the case similar to doctrine of stare decisis protecting against re-litigation of settled issues in different appellate stages of case).