Court Opinion

ID: 9573759
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 20:58:40.758747+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:43:18.078380
License: Public Domain

COLER, Justice
(concurring specially).
I agree with the majority opinion that the order of the trial court striking the name of W. Ray Sanders from the complaint should be reversed. I would do so, however, not on the basis of either SDCL 15-26-1(6) or RCP Rule 54(b).
Respondent’s motion to dismiss stated, as grounds therefor:
“That the Defendant named in this action is not the *570owner of the property so described in the Complaint and that therefore, is not the proper party in this action.”
Though not identified as such, this motion clearly states a defense under RCP Rule 12(b)(5) (SDCL 15-6-12(b)(5)) in claiming a “Failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.” RCP Rule 12(b) (SDCL 15-6-12(b)) further states in part:
“If, on a motion asserting the defense numbered (5) to dismiss for failure of the pleading to state a claim upon which relief can be granted, matters outside the pleading are presented to and not excluded by the court, the motion shall be treated as one for summary judgment and disposed of as provided in § 15-6-56, and all parties shall be given reasonable opportunity to present all material made pertinent to such a motion by § 15-6-56.”
In addition to a voluminous and detailed complaint the trial court had before it the appellants’ request for admissions made pursuant to RCP Rule 36 which sought answers from respondent Sanders to 21 questions. It appears from the record that respondent’s answers to these questions were also before the trial court, and, as this constitutes matters outside the pleadings, the trial court erred in failing to proceed in accordance with RCP Rule 56. SDCL 15-6-56. See 2A Moore's Federal Practice ¶¶ 12.01, 12.09.1 would reverse on that basis and not imply that this court, under its discretionary authority, is prone to hear an appeal in a case properly adjudicated under RCP Rule 54(b).