Court Opinion

ID: 9669233
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 02:45:06.700491+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:15:54.229674
License: Public Domain

STEPHENS, Chief Justice,
dissenting.
Although the majority opinion is extremely well written and persuasive, I must dissent for two reasons. First, I do not believe it is the prerogative of this Court to set public policy for the Commonwealth. Secondly, I do not believe it prudent to overrule the decisions of Bishop v. Allstate Ins. Co., Ky., 623 S.W.2d 865 (1981), and Staser v. Fulton, Ky.App., 684 S.W.2d 306 (1984).
It is a well settled principle that “the Courts should use extreme caution in declaring a transaction to be void on the ground that it is against public policy.” Kentucky State Fair Board v. Fowler, 310 Ky. 607, 221 S.W.2d 435, 439 (1949). Moreover, “we adhere to the principle that the establishment of public policy is the prerogative of the General Assembly.” Reda Pump Co., A Div. of TRW, Inc. v. Finch, Ky., 713 S.W.2d 818, 821 (1986). The majority opinion interprets the legislature’s silence on the matter of family exclusions as an invitation to declare public policy in this area. The legislature, in adopting and revising the MVRA, had ample *838opportunity to prohibit a family exclusion clause in automobile insurance policies. Because they did not, the legislature’s silence should be interpreted as acceptance.
There is no question that the doctrine of stare decisis has often been overcome when this Court finds that the “theory supporting a rule of law is not grounded on facts, or upon sound logic, or is unjust, or has been discredited by actual experience.” D & W Auto Supply v. Department of Revenue, Ky., 602 S.W.2d 420, 424 (1980). While the majority opinion is eloquent in maintaining a variety of reasons why the family exclusion should fall, I do not find that the above-mentioned criteria has been met. Therefore, I would not overrule Bishop, supra, or Staser, supra.
BAKER, J., joins this dissenting opinion.
BAKER, Justice,
dissenting.
I join the Chief Justice in his dissenting opinion. As a matter of public policy the majority states a compelling case. This, however, is a decision for the General Assembly, whom the people choose to determine public policy. With proper respect for the separation of powers which delineate the roles of the General Assembly and the Court of Justice, this Court should not intervene.
As stated in Fann v. McGuffey, Ky., 534 S.W.2d 770, 779 (1975),
It is elementary that the legislative branch of government has the prerogative of declaring public policy and that the mere wisdom of its choice in that respect is not subject to the judgment of a court.
STEPHENS, C.J., joins dissent.