Opinion ID: 2321097
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Death Knell Exception

Text: [¶ 8] In Fiber Materials, Inc., we said: The death knell exception applies if substantial rights of a party will be irreparably lost if review is delayed until final judgment. A right is irreparably lost if the appellant would not have an effective remedy if the interlocutory determination were to be vacated after a final disposition of the entire litigation. Put differently, where an interlocutory order has the practical effect of permanently foreclosing relief on a claim, that order is appealable. Cost or delay alone is insufficient to establish the irreparable loss of a right. 2009 ME 71, ¶ 14, 974 A.2d 918 (citations omitted) (quotation marks omitted). [¶ 9] Christopher asserts that absent an immediate appeal he will irreparably lose [t]he right to have the District Court, and not a referee, determine the facts de novo, and that this right, once taken away cannot be regained. His assertion does not withstand scrutiny. [¶ 10] If this appeal is dismissed, the post-judgment motions will proceed to the referee for hearing and decision. Whatever that decision is, it is subject to the parties' objections and review by the District Court, which may adopt, modify, or reject the decision, with or without receiving further evidence. [5] M.R. Civ. P. 53(e)(2). Assuming that the parties do not settle their dispute in the interim, a final judgment of the trial court, encompassing both the procedural issue presented here and the merits of the post-judgment motions, would then be before this Court on appeal. If Christopher prevailed on his argument that the second order of reference required his renewed consent, we could then vacate the judgment and remand for a de novo hearing on the postjudgment motions before a judge. Because we are able to correct on appeal from a final judgment any procedural error the court might have made in initially referring Lynda's motions to the referee, Christopher suffers no irreparable harm by the court's action.