Opinion ID: 2552876
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Is Either the County or IAC Finance Entitled to an Award of Attorney Fees on Appeal?

Text: The County and IAC Finance both seek an award of attorney fees on appeal pursuant to Idaho Code § 12-121. Under that statute, attorney fees will be awarded to the prevailing party when this Court is left with the abiding belief that the appeal was brought or pursued frivolously, unreasonably or without foundation. Hartman v. United Heritage Property and Gas. Co., 141 Idaho 193, 200, 108 P.3d 340, 347 (2005). The County and IAC Finance have not prevailed on the issue that the Plaintiffs appealed. The County also seeks an award of attorney fees under Idaho Code § 12-117. Under that statute, it would be entitled to an award of attorney fees if it prevailed and the Plaintiffs acted without a reasonable basis in law or fact in bringing the appeal. Since they prevailed on the issue of standing, they did not bring this appeal without a reasonable basis in law or fact.