Court Opinion

ID: 9513238
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-06 22:33:09.590558+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:05:47.191274
License: Public Domain

MARING, Justice,
specially concurring.
[¶ 10] I write to join the majority decision to dismiss the appeal on the ground the trial court abused its discretion in certifying the partial summary judgment as final under N.D.R.Civ.P. 54(b), but for the following reasons.
[¶ 11] There was never a motion requesting the court enter a final judgment under Rule 54(b), N.D.R.Civ.P. During oral argument Sicklers’ counsel admitted he submitted a proposed order for judgment and the court signed it without consideration of the positions of the respective parties. This procedure is not what is contemplated by the rule, but rather a carefully considered analysis by the court whether there is “no just reason for delay.” It almost appears that the Rule 54(b) certification in this case was inadvertently granted.
[¶ 12] Second, Sicklers have moved to amend the complaint to allege a cause of action for fraud against Kirkwood. At the time of oral argument, this motion had not been acted on by the trial court. Whether our court determined the issue in favor of Kirkwood or against Kirkwood, there still would remain issues to be determined as between these two parties. I do note, however, that different circumstances surrounding an oil and gas lease may require immediate action. Rule 54(b) certification may then be appropriate, but there is nothing in the record to this effect in this case.
[¶ 13] Finally, I continue to be concerned over the test of the “infrequent harsh case” applied by the majority to determine whether there was “no just reason for delay.” I believe we need to clarify what constitutes an “infrequent harsh case” so that our trial courts have some guidelines when exercising their discretion under Rule 54(b). I continue to hold the view that the scope of Rule 54(b) should not remain so narrow as our court has drawn it in light of Curtiss-Wright Corp. v. General Electric Co., 446 U.S. 1, 100 S.Ct. 1460, 64 L.Ed.2d 1 (1980). See Wyatt v. Adams, 551 N.W.2d 775 (N.D.1996) (Maring, J. dissenting).
[¶ 14] Mary Muehlen Maring