Court Opinion

ID: 9730553
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 15:15:36.571257+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:26:07.356938
License: Public Domain

FOSHEIM, Chief Justice
(concurring in result).
A bifurcated trial separating the equitable claim (interpretation of section six of the lease) would have been more judicious since the equitable claim was more than incidental. It should have taken precedence over others for determination by the trial court. See Skoglund v. Staab, 312 N.W.2d 29, 31 (S.D.1981); Orr v. Kneip, 287 N.W.2d 480, 485 (S.D.1979).
It is difficult to find where the equitable issue was adequately addressed. Hy-Vee’s and Scrivner’s requests for a declaratory judgment or a bifurcated trial were effectively ignored. Their motions for summary judgment were denied. The order provides no basis for that decision, even though an apparent procedural defect existed. I, therefore, cannot conclude the issue was determined on its merits. It was not tried to a jury by consent of the parties. SDCL 15-6-39(a). An advisory verdict, with findings of fact and conclusions of law by the trial court, was not given. SDCL 15-6-39(c). Ultimately, however, Hy-Vee’s Amended Complaint against Flake was dismissed in the final judgment.
Accordingly, while summary judgment for Hy-Vee and Scrivner was properly denied, as the majority concludes, the path taken by the trial court is wanting.