Court Opinion

ID: 9516380
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-06 23:41:39.606648+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:35:28.546785
License: Public Domain

HUTCHINSON, Justice,
dissenting.
The majority reaffirms pre-existing Pennsylvania law with respect to anticipatory breach, as set out in McClelland v. New Amsterdam Casualty Co., 322 Pa. 429, 433, 185 A. 198, 200 (1936). As in that case, the majority says here that an anticipatory breach is “an absolute and unequivocal refusal to perform or a distinct and positive statement of inability to do so.” Based on the evidence he heard, Judge Marutani found such a refusal or inability to perform did occur. His findings were affirmed against exceptions. They are therefore entitled to the same deference as a jury verdict. See Cerbo v. Carabello, 376 Pa. 571, 575, 103 A.2d 908, 909 (1954). The majority not only *193ignores them, but fails to recognize the inference of unequivocal refusal required by its own factual recital. Since the McClelland standard is satisfied, I find it unnecessary to consider the case under the more liberal Restatement standard supported on the appealing pragmatic grounds Mr. Justice Larsen sets out in detail in his dissenting opinion. I would simply reverse Superior Court on Judge Marutani’s able opinion.
ZAPPALA, J., joins in this dissenting opinion.