Opinion ID: 2112466
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Cross-Appeal of McLeods

Text: The McLeods counterclaimed for damages for breach of various promises. The trial court dismissed this counterclaim on the ground that the McLeods failed to sustain their burden of proof on the issue of damages. We cannot review this decision, because the McLeods' untimely notice of cross-appeal fails to vest jurisdiction in this Court. See State v. Savo, 136 Vt. 330, 330-31, 388 A.2d 391, 392 (1978) (per curiam). On July 6, 1978, the court disposed of the several third-party claims. This order finally adjudicated all remaining claims in the case. Motions for amendment of findings and for new trial, V.R.C.P. 52(b), 59(a), were filed by Jones on July 17, 1978. They were timely because July 16 was a Sunday, V.R.A.P. 26(a); V.R.C.P. 6(a), and therefore they tolled the appeal period. V.R.A.P. 4. An order denying the motions was made on July 27, 1978, and this commenced the thirty-day appeal period. Id. Appellant Jones' notice of appeal was filed August 17, 1978. Cross-appellants McLeod then had 14 days to file a notice of cross-appeal, which they failed to do. V.R. A.P. 4. There is a thirty-day allowable extension of time to appeal or cross-appeal provided for in the rule, but it is a jurisdictional prerequisite that the extension be sought and obtained within the normal time period plus the extension period allowed by V.R.A.P. 4 (60 days for appeals; 44 days for cross-appeals). Shortle v. Board of Zoning Adjustment, 136 Vt. 202, 203, 388 A.2d 430, 431 (1978). In this case, the 44-day period expired September 20, 1978, but the extension was not sought until November 30, 1978, and was not granted until September 7, 1979. Therefore, this Court lacks jurisdiction over the cross-appeal of the McLeods because it was not timely filed, and no extension was timely sought and obtained. The final problem we face is to determine the proper disposition of this appeal. Although there was no application to the trial court for dissolution, see 11 V.S.A. §§ 1323(6), 1324, the court concluded that the partnership was dissolved. We uphold this not as a judicial dissolution under 11 V.S.A. § 1324, but as the court's recognition of the pre-existing fact that the partnership had dissolved by completion of the undertaking for which it was formed. 11 V.S.A. § 1323(1)(A). Dissolution, however, does not terminate a partnership; there must still be a winding up of the partnership affairs. 11 V.S.A. §§ 1321, 1322. And [w]here a voluntary settlement cannot be achieved by reason of partnership discord, the traditional remedy is an action in equity for an accounting. Bradley v. Marshall, supra, 129 Vt. at 641, 285 A.2d at 749; see 11 V.S.A. § 1245. Judgment against third-party plaintiff in favor of third-party defendants Douglas and Lauren McLeod reversed. Judgment against third-party plaintiff in favor of third-party defendants Edward J. Hamilton, Jr. and Peter Glenn Shops, Inc. affirmed. Judgment dismissing counterclaim of Edward J. Hamilton, Jr. affirmed. Judgment dismissing counterclaim of Peter Glenn Shops, Inc. reversed. Cross-appeal of third-party defendants Douglas and Lauren McLeod dismissed. Remanded for a hearing on the counterclaim of Peter Glenn Shops, Inc., and for an accounting between third-party plaintiff, and third-party defendants Douglas and Lauren McLeod.