Court Opinion

ID: 9704284
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 00:29:44.973108+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:21:59.695305
License: Public Domain

FOSHEIM, Chief Justice
(dissenting).
I dissent.
Under SDCL § 15-6-54(b), a decision, however designated, which adjudicates fewer than all the claims or the rights and liabilities of fewer than all the parties shall not terminate the action as to any of the claims or parties, and ... is subject to revision at any time before the entry of judgment adjudicating all the claims and the rights and liabilities of all the parties.
In preventing piecemeal appeals, application of SDCL § 15-6-54(b) [on partial final judgment] is confined to those infrequent harsh cases where it will lead to the improved administration of justice and the more satisfactory disposition of litigation. Ochs v. Northwestern National Life Insurance Co., 254 N.W.2d 168, 169 (S.D.1977). The facts and circumstances here clearly indicate the applicability of SDCL § 15-6-54(b). Since the trial court stepped over this statute, it follows there is no final judgment from which to appeal. Riede v. Phillips, 277 N.W.2d 720, 722 (S.D.1979).