Court Opinion

ID: 9883936
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-10-06 02:26:11.51131+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:48:33.405239
License: Public Domain

LANSING, Judge
(concurring in part and dissenting in part).
I join the majority in the determination that the county court had jurisdiction, but dissent from the holding that the appellants’ voluntary decision to proceed without an attorney in a civil action constitutes an irregularity depriving them of a fair trial. I also disagree with the majority position that a determination of the ownership of the underlying land is necessary to decide the action. The contract provides that no trees can be removed without the Helwigs’ consent. The Olsons removed the trees without the Helwigs’ consent, and the court awarded the Helwigs damages. The trial court did not abuse its discretion or make an error of law. Title to the property should be determined in a formal action brought for that purpose, not incidentally to a conciliation court case.
I would affirm.