Court Opinion

ID: 4457525
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-11-20 22:02:55.788091+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:52:42.495303
License: Public Domain

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE

659 CHESTNUT LLC,
Plaintiff,
C.A. No. N17C-05-114 MMJ

Vv.

PARKE BANCORP INC. d/b/a
PARKE BANK,

ee ed ee ee ee

Defendant.

Submitted: October 2, 2019
Decided: November 20, 2019

On Defendant’s Motion for Allowance of Attorneys’ Fees, Costs and Expenses and
Post-Judgment Interest
DENIED
ORDER

Following a bench trial, this Court ruled in favor of 659 Chestnut LLC, finding

that 659 Chestnut had proved mutual mistake; that the loan agreement was reformed;
and that no prepayment penalty was owed to Parke Bancorp Inc. This Court found
against Parke on its counterclaim.!

On appeal, the Delaware Supreme Court held that 659 Chestnut had failed to
prove by clear and convincing evidence that the loan agreement prepayment penalty
provisions should be reformed on the basis of mutual mistake. This Court was reversed
on that issue. Judgment was entered in favor of Parke, permitting Parke to retain the 1%
prepayment penalty paid by 659 Chestnut under protest. The Supreme Court affirmed
this Court’s denial of Parke’s counterclaim for enforcement of an additional 4%
prepayment penalty.’

On October 8, 2019, this Court entered judgment pursuant to the Supreme Court’s
remand. Final Judgment was entered in favor of Parke on 659 Chestnut’s claim. Final
Judgment was entered in favor of 659 Chestnut on Parke’s counterclaim. Costs were
taxed against 659 Chestnut. Post-judgment interest was awarded to Parke for all
amounts owed by 659 Chestnut.

Parke now seeks attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses, and post-judgment interest.
Parke claims entitlement to relief under 10 Del. C. § 5101, 10 Del. C. § 2301, Superior
Court Civil Rule 54(d), and the loan documents. Parke asserts that it is the prevailing

party. Parke is not arguing that 659 Chestnut brought the litigation in bad faith.

 

1659 Chestnut LLC v. Parke Bancorp Inc., 2018 WL 6432984 (Del. Super.).

Parke Bancorp Inc. v. 659 Chestnut LLC, 2019 WL 4389027, at *9-10 (Del.).
The Supreme Court found in favor of Parke on 659 Chestnut’s claim, but against
Parke on Parke’s counterclaim. Therefore, Parke is not the prevailing party for purposes
of recovering costs.

The loan documents contain fee shifting provisions, requiring payment of “costs
of collection and/or enforcement of the Loan, including any and all attorney’s fees and
costs.” The fee shifting provision is under the section entitled “Remedies.” The
Remedies are triggered by an “Event of Default.”

The Court finds that the action filed by 659 Chestnut seeking reformation of the
loan agreements does not fall within the definition of an Event of Default. 659 Chestnut
paid the prepayment penalty under protest, with the express intent of abiding by the
terms of the loan agreements. Parke acknowledged the final payment, cancelled the
note and mortgage, and marked the note “PAID.” At no time was 659 Chestnut in
default. 659 Chestnut’s lawsuit does not constitute a failure to observe or perform any
agreement with Parke. Rather, the complaint was brought for the purpose of reforming
the terms of the loan. 659 Chestnut complied fully with the terms of the loan documents
as agreed.

As evidenced by this Court’s ruling following trial, 659 Chestnut’s complaint was
not frivolous. Parke’s counterclaim seeking additional prepayment penalty was

unsuccessful.
THEREFORE, Defendant’s Motion for Allowance of Attorneys’ Fees, Costs
and Expenses and Post-Judgment Interest is hereby DENIED, except as previously
ordered that Post-Judgment shall accrue from the date of the Final Judgment at
the prevailing legal rate of interest in Delaware for all amounts owed by 659
Chestnut to Parke pursuant to the Final Judgment dated October 8, 2019.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

 

The Monorable Mary M. Johnston