Court Opinion

ID: 9771535
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 16:46:51.163816+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:31:32.702782
License: Public Domain

BLACKMAR, Judge,
concurring.
I concur, because counsel for the appellant represents to us that he has not had a full opportunity to present evidence in opposition to the respondent’s claim. Judge Robertson shows substantial support in case law to the effect that a court may treat a motion to vacate a judgment, not explicitly provided for by the rules, as a suit in equity, even though other cases suggest that an independent action is necessary. Because of questions about appropriate procedures, the parties below may not have fully understood the scope of the court’s authority, or their entitlements and responsibilities at the hearing. The simple remedy is a full and complete evidentiary hearing, at which each party may outline his contentions and present evidence.
Inasmuch as there is to be a further hearing, the principal opinion expresses no conclusion as to the merits. This is appropriate. The facts set out in Judge Donnelly’s and Judge Welliver’s dissenting opinions accurately reflect the state of the record and persuade me that the defendant-respondent has stated a claim for equitable relief. The principal opinion so states. I agree with the statements set out in the last two paragraphs of Judge Donnelly’s opinion. Perhaps additional evidence will add little to the record now before us, but I am unwilling to rule with finality until the appellant has had the chance to cross-examine the respondent’s witnesses and to introduce such evidence as he is disposed to. The trial court may then balance the equities on the basis of all of the evidence.