Court Opinion

ID: 2750498
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-11-12 18:02:35.734523+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:25:50.125014
License: Public Domain

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE

                  IN AND FOR NEW CASTLE COUNTY

LAWRENCE GILLEN                   )
and MICHELLE GILLEN               )
                                  )
                 Plaintiffs,      )         C.A. No. N13C-09-250 RRC
     v.                           )
                                  )
JOSEPH T. KEENAN                  )
and SONS, INC., a Delaware Corp., )
D/B/A/ Keenan Auto Body, Inc.,    )
HAGERTY INSURANCE                 )
AGENCY, LLC and ESSENTIA          )
INSURANCE COMPANY                 )
                                  )
                 Defendants.      )

                        Submitted: September 19, 2014
                         Decided: November 7, 2014

       Upon Plaintiffs’ Motion for Reconsideration of Commissioner’s
                             Recommendation.
       COMMISSIONER’S RECOMMENDATION ACCEPTED.

                                   ORDER

Leo J. Ramunno, Esquire, Wilmington, Delaware, Attorney for Plaintiffs

Gary W. Aber, Esquire, Wilmington, Delaware, Attorney for Defendant Joseph
T. Keenan and Sons, Inc., A Pennsylvania Corporation

COOCH, R.J.

      This 7th day of November, 2014, it appears to the Court that:
    1. Plaintiffs Lawrence and Michelle Gillen filed a complaint against
       Defendant Joseph T. Keenan and Sons., Inc and two insurance companies
       in September 2013. The complaint stems from repairs allegedly not
       completed on an antique vehicle, which, through a series of events this
       Court need not detail, remains in the possession of Defendant Keenan in
       Pennsylvania. Count I of the complaint plead Replevin against Defendant
       Keenan only. Defendant Keenan has challenged the right of Plaintiffs’ to
       pursue a replevin action in Delaware when the property was located in
       another state.1

    2. This Court referred Count I to a Commissioner in November 2013 for a
       hearing on the issue of whether this Court has jurisdiction over a replevin
       action for a vintage automobile which is not actually located in Delaware.
       After briefing and argument on Count I, the Commissioner submitted a
       report on July 10, 2014 that contained findings of fact and
       recommendations. The Commissioner found that the Court lacked in rem
       jurisdiction for purposes of a replevin action and recommended that Count
       I of Plaintiffs’ complaint be dismissed.2

    3. Plaintiffs filed an appeal from the Commissioner’s Report, arguing that
       this Court “has personal jurisdiction of the Defendant and doesn’t need in
       rem jurisdiction over the vehicle.”3

    4. Defendant Keenan responded to Plaintiffs’ appeal. Defendant argues that
       the vehicle is located in Pennsylvania, and because the vehicle is not
       within this state, this Court lacks the in rem jurisdiction needed to preside
       over the replevin action.4

    5. This Court finds no in rem jurisdiction in this case. “An action for
       replevin cannot be successfully maintained unless the property is within
       the state and is subject to the jurisdiction of the courts.” 5

1
  See Comm’rs Report, Findings of Fact and Recommendations at 2-3.
2
  See Comm’rs Report, Findings of Fact and Recommendations at 5-6.
3
  Plaintffs’ Appeal from Comm’r’s Report at 1.
4
  See Defendant’s Response to Plaintiffs’ Appeal from Comm’r’s Report.
5
  See R.J. Casho Marine Towing Corp. v. Dann, 1985 WL 5860 (Del. Super. Oct. 28, 1985);
See also 66 Am. Jur. 2d Replevin § 40 (2014) (“Generally speaking, replevin is a possessory
action, and therefore, it requires in rem jurisdiction over the subject matter . . . .”).

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      6. There is no dispute amongst the parties that the vehicle is currently, and
         has at all relevant times been, located in Pennsylvania. As a result, this
         Court does not have the necessary in rem jurisdiction to proceed with the
         adjudication of Plaintiffs’ replevin action. Rather, “the proper forum for a
         replevin action is the state where the subject matter is situated.” 6

      7. Finally, this Court notes Plaintiffs’ contention that this Court has personal
         jurisdiction over the Defendant, but finds that personal jurisdiction is not
         the relevant consideration at this juncture. Plaintiffs are pursuing a
         replevin action, and in rem jurisdiction is required to maintain such an
         action.

Therefore, the Commissioner’s Recommendation is ACCEPTED and Count I
of Plaintiff’s complaint is DISMISSED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

                                                            ______________________
                                                             Richard R. Cooch, R.J.

cc:      Prothonotary

6
 DVI Fin. Serv., Inc. v. Imaging Mgmt. Assoc., Inc., 1995 WL 269073 (Del. Super. Apr. 13,
1995) (citing Hanson v. Denckla, 357 U.S. 235 (1958)).

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