Court Opinion

ID: 9664875
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 00:32:22.055578+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:15:10.911292
License: Public Domain

MADDOX, Justice
(concurring in part and dissenting in part).
I concur in that portion of the opinion which affirms the trial court’s order dismissing count one. I concur in the result of the opinion as to count two, the claim for declaratory judgment. I can only agree that the trial court’s granting of the motion to dismiss as to count two was improper, because I believe the complaint, especially when construed under Alabama’s new Rules of Procedure, states a “justiciable controversy.” In my opinion, the plaintiffs barely state a claim for declaratory relief. The plaintiffs seek to have adjudicated “anticipatory rights” and this Court has said that a declaratory judgment proceeding is not available to adjudicate such anticipatory rights, and it is not sufficient that parties anticipate that a justiciable controversy may arise. White v. Frink, 274 Ala. 49, 145 So.2d 435 (1962). However, I believe that the plaintiffs here are entitled to an adjudication even though the adjudication may not be in accordance with their theories and contentions. See Darling Shop of Birmingham v. Nelson Realty Co., 255 Ala. 586, 52 So.2d 211 (1951). Consequently, I concur only in the result reached by the majority that count two of the complaint should not have been dismissed, but I would remand the cause for a declaration rather than rendering the case.
HEFLIN, C. J., concurs.