Court Opinion

ID: 9845840
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 03:29:18.018904+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:16:23.532443
License: Public Domain

RABINOWITZ, Justice
(concurring).
I concur in the reversal of the lower court’s dismissal but do so on somewhat different grounds than those set forth in this court’s opinion.
The record is obscure as to the precise basis for the lower court’s entry of a judgment of dismissal. At the time the lower court granted the dismissal as to the first thirteen paragraphs of plaintiff’s complaint, the sole motion before the court was defendant’s motion to dismiss the complaint for failure to state a claim.1
I construe the trial court’s action as granting both a Rule 12(b) motion to dismiss the complaint for failure to state a claim and a Rule 41(b) dismissal on the ground that upon the facts and the law the plaintiff has shown no right to relief.2 Whether the trial court’s action is viewed as the granting of a Rule 12(b) motion, or as the granting of a Rule 41(b) motion, or as the granting of both, I am of the opinion that error was committed.
The thirteen paragraphs of the complaint in question clearly state claims upon which relief can be granted and, therefore, were not subject to dismissal under Rule 12(b).
The record fails to disclose any basis for the grant of a Rule 41(b) involuntary dismissal. Although the lower court failed to articulate with any degree of clarity the basis for the dismissal, findings of fact and conclusions of law were filed. Under the provisions of Rule 52, findings are not required in regards to any motion excepting one made pursuant to Rule 41(b).3 It, therefore, appears that the trial court also acted pursuant to Rule 41(b) in granting the dismissal. In regards to the finding of fact and conclusion of law (set forth in this court’s opinion) which were ostensibly filed in conformity with Rule 41(b), I am of the opinion that there is no- support in the record for the same and, therefore, they are erroneous and should be set aside.4 ,

. After appellant’s counsel completed Ms opening statement, appellee moved to dismiss the complaint for failure to state a claim. The motion was then taken under advisement. After plaintiff’s first witness had completed his testimony, the court granted defendant’s motion to dismiss as to the first thirteen paragraphs of plaintiff’s complaint leaving one remaining paragraph (count) to be further litigated.

. Oivil Rule 12(b) provides in part:
Every defense, in law or fact, to a claim for relief in any pleading * * * shall be asserted in the responsive pleading thereto if one is required, except that the following defenses may at the option of the pleader be made by motion: * * * (6) failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted * ⅜ *.
Oivil Rule 12(h) permits a 12(b) (6) motion to be made at any time. Oivil Rule 41(b) provides in part:
After the plaintiff has completed the presentation of his evidence, the defendant, without waiving his right to offer evidence in the event the motion is not granted, may move for a dismissal on the ground that upon the facts and the law the plaintiff has shown no right to relief. In an action tried by the court without a jury the court as trier of the facts may then determine them and render judgment against the plaintiff or may decline to render any judgment until the close-of all the evidence. If the court renders judgment on the merits against the plaintiff, the court shall make findings as provided in Rule 52(a).

. Civil Rule 52(a) provides in part:
Findings of fact and conclusions of law are unnecessary on decisions of motions under Rule 12 or 56 or any other motion except as provided in Rule 41 (b).

. Additionally under the facts as disclosed' by the record, I am of the opinion that the grant of a Rule 41(b) motion was premature. Rule 41(b) is limited by its-terms to that posture of the trial when plaintiff has completed “the presentation of his evidence.”