Court Opinion

ID: 9852631
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 05:34:04.352092+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:22:31.185597
License: Public Domain

Cooper, Judge,
dissenting.
The law in Georgia is that “[t]ortious interference with contractual relations is applicable only when the interference is done by one who is a stranger to the contract. [Cits.]” Jet Air v. Nat. Union Fire Ins. Co., 189 Ga. App. 399, 403 (4) (375 SE2d 873) (1988). The majority finds that Jefferson-Pilot was not a stranger to either the contrac*63tual relationship between Phoenix City and its lender, H. J. Russell and Company, or the contractual relationship between Phoenix City and its contractor, Whitney. Thus, the majority concludes that as a matter of law, Jefferson-Pilot could not be liable for tortious interference with contract. I dissent because I am of the opinion that Jefferson-Pilot was a stranger to both contractual relationships and could be liable for tortious interference with contract.
With respect to the loan agreement between Phoenix City and H. J. Russell and Company, the majority concludes that Jefferson-Pilot was an “essential party” to that contract. That conclusion is apparently based on the fact that the loan agreement was executed on the same day as the Asset Purchasing Agreement and because the subsequent document labelled “Acknowledgment, Consent and Estoppel,” executed by Jefferson-Pilot, Phoenix City, H. J. Russell and Company and First Atlanta, required Phoenix City and Jefferson-Pilot to notify the lender of any default under the Asset Purchase Agreement. Thus, the majority reasons that even though Jefferson-Pilot did not sign the loan agreement and did not otherwise acquire any obligation to repay the loan, Jefferson-Pilot, Phoenix City and the lender “were all parties to a comprehensive interwoven set of contracts which provided for the financing, construction, and transfer of ownership of the radio station.” I do not agree that by executing several separate and distinct agreements, Jefferson-Pilot somehow became a party to an agreement, unsigned by it, regardless of how related those agreements may have been. In Cohen v. Wm. Goldberg & Co., 202 Ga. App. 172 (3) (413 SE2d 759) (1991), this court, in considering a tortious interference claim, rejected the argument that a person who did not sign a contract could somehow become a party to that contract. See Cohen, supra at 177. Also, in Sunamerica Financial v. 260 Peachtree St., 202 Ga. App. 790 (415 SE2d 677) (1992), this court noted that a parent company could under some factual scenarios be a stranger to a contract entered into between one of its wholly owned subsidiaries and a third party. I am unable to concur in the majority’s conclusion which focuses on the relationship between Jefferson-Pilot and Phoenix City and the relationship between the various contracts executed rather than the specific contract which is the subject matter of the tortious interference.
I also disagree with the majority’s conclusion that Jefferson-Pilot cannot be liable for tortious interference with the contract between Phoenix City and Whitney because Jefferson-Pilot was a third party beneficiary of that contract. The record reflects that Whitney was hired pursuant to an oral agreement, which was subsequently confirmed by a letter agreement, to provide services to Phoenix City for the construction of a broadcasting station. All payments were to be made by Phoenix City, with the final payment being contingent upon *64Jefferson-Pilot’s approval of the project. “In order for a third party to have standing to enforce a contract ... it must clearly appear from the contract that it was intended for his benefit. The mere fact that he would benefit from performance of the agreement is not alone sufficient. [Cits.]” Backus v. Chilivis, 236 Ga. 500, 502 (224 SE2d 370) (1976). Since the subject of the Asset Purchase Agreement was the purchase of a radio station yet to be constructed, it is evident that Jefferson-Pilot as well as Phoenix City would be benefited by having the radio station constructed. However, it does not appear that Phoenix City or Whitney intended for Jefferson-Pilot to be a direct beneficiary of their agreement such that Jefferson Pilot would have standing to enforce the contract between Phoenix City and Whitney. See Cohen, supra at 178.
Decided June 24, 1992
Reconsiderations denied July 20, 1992
Carter & Ansley, Tommy T. Holland, Keith L. Lindsay, Davis, Gregory & Christy, Hardy Gregory, Jr., for Jefferson-Pilot.
Robinson & Gilner, Will E. Robinson, for Phoenix City.
Chamberlain, Hrdlicka, White, Johnson & Williams, Richard N. Hubert, for Hollis.
Finally, the majority concludes that there is no evidence that the actions of Jefferson-Pilot were the proximate cause of any injury to Phoenix City. “[T]he courts of this state have recognized that [tortious] interference with a contractual right or relationship need not result in a breach of the contract to be actionable. It is sufficient if the invasion retards performance of the duties under the contract or makes the performance more difficult or expensive. [Cits.]” Artrac Corp. v. Austin Kelley Advertising, 197 Ga. App. 772, 774 (2) (399 SE2d 529) (1990). I find that there was evidence in the record from which the jury could determine that the interference by Jefferson-Pilot had the desired effect of harming Phoenix City’s position with its lender as well as with its employee, Whitney, and of adding to the events which led to the eventual termination of the Asset Purchase Agreement. Because I believe that the trial court acted correctly in submitting the issue of tortious interference with contract to the jury, I must respectfully dissent.
I am authorized to state that Judge Beasley joins in this dissent.