Court Opinion

ID: 9598280
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 01:07:28.627616+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:45:44.669333
License: Public Domain

Clarke, Justice,
dissenting.
I cannot agree that the phrase “first right of refusal” can under no circumstances mean an option to renew a lease.
Although this phrase rarely has a meaning other than the right of a party to preempt a third party offeror, it is possible for the phrase *418to appear in such a context that its meaning as an option is inescapable. In this case the “right of refusal” is to “renew lease at renewal date for a two (2) year period.” The exact increase in the rental payment is specified. No period is specified for any pre-emption of other offers. I believe this provision expresses the intent of granting to the lessee an option on the renewal date to renew for a two-year period with a ten percent increase in rental. The use of “first right of refusal” rather than the word option is unfortunate but nevertheless clear.
I must, therefore, disagree with the majority and also the Court of Appeals. I would hold that the provision in question grants an option to renew unambiguously and that no jury question is presented.