Hudson v. Ashley

¶1This is an appeal from a directed verdict entered upon plaintiff’s opening statement. Suit was brought on behalf of a law firm against appellee and his son1 to collect a fee for legal services rendered the son upon appellee’s request and promise to pay. Appellant2 alleged in his complaint that both parties were liable to him, although he failed to state any legal or factual grounds for the son’s liability. A default was entered against the son for failure to appear at the pretrial hearing. Appellant made an opening statement in which he referred to the son’s default. Appellee thereupon moved for a directed verdict on the ground that the opening statement showed that appellee’s promise was an oral promise to answer for his son’s debt and thus was unenforceable under the statute of frauds.3 The trial court agreed, ruling that appellant’s allegation of liability against the son, plus the son’s default, established as a matter of law that appellee’s promise was “a promise to pay the debt of another.” Verdict was directed in appellee’s favor after the opening statement because a default had been entered against the son. No evidence was heard. We reverse and remand the case for a trial on the merits.

¶2*966I.

¶3Appellant’s complaint and pretrial statement asserted that appellee’s son was presented in the Superior Court on felony charges of assault with intent to kill and commission of a crime while armed; and that the night before presentment, while his son was incarcerated on these charges, appellee retained appellant’s law firm to represent his son. It was further alleged that appellee stated “he would stand personally responsible for all fees incurred as a result of such services.” The law firm as-sertedly agreed to the arrangement, represented the son at the presentment and preliminary hearing, and negotiated a plea with the United States Attorney’s Office of guilty to the lesser included offense of carrying a pistol without a license. As a result of this representation the felony charges were dropped, the plea was accepted by the court, and the son was sentenced to' six months’ unsupervised probation. Thereafter, the father and son allegedly were repeatedly billed and failed to pay, whereupon this suit was brought. The complaint and pretrial statement claimed that both parties were liable in the amount of $2,079.75 plus interest and costs.

¶4At pretrial conference, the son did not appear and a default was entered. While the dissent states a default judgment in the amount of $2,284 was entered for failure to appear at the pretrial hearing, the entry of such a judgment does not appear in the record. The actuality is that an answer having been filed by the son (Eric Ashley), a default judgment, as distinguished from a default, could not have properly been entered against him unless the procedure required by Super.Ct.Civ.R. 55(b)(2) was followed.4 (See note 10, infra.) This procedure was not followed.

¶5At trial, appellant made an opening statement in which he referred summarily to the allegations of the complaint and asserted that the evidence would show that the firm “accepted the representation of the son on behalf of Mr. Hampton Ashley,” the father. At the close of the opening statement ap-pellee moved for directed verdict contending the agreement was within the statute of frauds and there was no written agreement as required. A colloquy followed between the court and counsel out of the jury’s presence during which appellant proffered to the court that the evidence would probably tend to show that when the contract was entered into no one at the law firm knew the son or would ordinarily agree to represent a young, twenty-two-year-old individual in such a matter without promise of payment from another party. The trial court directed a verdict for appel-lee. In so doing, the court stated:

Your opening statement indicates that you did consider that credit was given and that liability attached to [the son] because you sued him and got a judgment against him. Therefore, you see, the reasoning behind that, I assume, is that under those circumstances that makes it a promise to pay the debt of another.

…

You say in the first count that, “[the son] owes plaintiffs $2,079.75 for services. Plaintiffs have made repeated demands on [the son].” You say that [appellee] would be personally responsible. Responsible for what? For [his son’s] fees.

The court will have to grant the motion.

¶6II.

¶7Appellant does not challenge the trial court’s inherent power to direct a verdict *967at the close of an opening statement, nor could he in light of Best v. District of Columbia, 291 U.S. 411, 54 S.Ct. 487, 78 L.Ed. 882 (1934). Accord, Cook v. Safeway Stores, Inc., D.C.App., 354 A.2d 507, 508 (1976). The conditions under which a directed verdict upon an opening statement will be appropriate, however, are quite limited. The trial court first must interpret the opening statement in light of the pleadings and the oral proffers made to the court. E. g., Niosi v. Aiello, D.C.Mun.App., 69 A .2d 57, 59, 61 (1949); McGovern v. Hitt, 62 App.D.C. 33, 34, 64 F.2d 156, 157, cert. denied, 290 U.S. 637, 54 S.Ct. 54, 78 L.Ed. 554 (1933); see also Jones v. Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, 5 Mackey (16 D.C.) 8, 10, 13-14 (1885). Then, after all doubts and uncertainties are resolved in the plaintiff’s favor, “it must clearly appear that no cause of action exists.” Best v. District of Columbia, supra, 291 U.S. at 415-16, 54 S.Ct. at 489. As this court has stated:

Unless the facts and all inferences which may be drawn from them are clear beyond any doubt, the parties are entitled to develop their evidence by testimony and to have the case submitted to the jury under proper instructions. [Slater v. Berlin, D.C.Mun.App., 83 A.2d 228, 229 (1951).]

¶8Viewing appellant’s allegations in their proper light, and applying that test to this case, we conclude the trial court failed to resolve all doubts in appellant’s favor in ruling on appellee’s motion for a directed verdict. There were factual questions to be resolved.

¶9“The distinction between a promise to answer for the debt or default of another person, which is within the Statute [of Frauds], and an independent obligation of the promisor, which is without the Statute, is admittedly difficult.”5 Conflict of authority exists in relation to it. “A contract is not brought within the Statute of Frauds merely because someone other than the promisor received the benefit of the consideration. 2 Williston on Contracts (Rev.Ed.), Sec. 464.” Kerner v. Eastern Dispensary & Casualty Hospital, 214 Md. 375, 380, 135 A.2d 303, 305-06 (1957). A simple test to determine whether an under taking was original or collateral, and hence must be in writing, is to ascertain to whom was the credit given for the services rendered. Id. at 382,135 A.2d at 306-07. This test is usually a mixed question of law and fact; and the facts that are determinative usually make the issue a question for the jury. Id.6Even where there is a promise to answer for the debt of another, it may be enforceable notwithstanding the Statute of Frauds if the “leading object” of the promisor was to obtain a direct, personal benefit. Pravel, Wilson & Matthews v. Voss, 471 F.2d 1186, 1189 (5th Cir. 1973).

¶10The pivotal issue in this case is whether the promise to pay the law firm, if made, was original and independent or merely a collateral promise to answer for the debt of the son. Even if it were found to be collateral, the question would remain whether it *968falls within the “leading object” exception, to which we have adverted.

¶11The applicable test is whether at the time the promise was made the parties intended that credit would be extended solely to the promisor, or to both the promisor and the party who was to receive the services. See Kerner v. Eastern Dispensary & Casualty Hospital, supra, 214 Md. at 382, 135 A.2d at 306-07; City of Highland Park v. Grant-MacKenzie Co., 366 Mich. 430, 444-448, 115 N.W.2d 270, 277-78 (1962). This intention is ascertained from the promissory words used, the situation of the parties, and all surrounding circumstances when the promise was made. Id.The determinative questions are essentially ones of fact. Plourd v. Scroggs, 10 Ariz.App. 409, 459 P.2d 326, 328 (1969); Romney Produce Co. v. Edwards, 9 Ariz.App. 258, 259-260, 451 P.2d 338, 339-40 (1969). Moreover, “in most cases the [determinative] facts . are sufficiently in doubt to make this mixed issue a question for the jury.” 2 Corbin on Contracts § 352, at 228 (1950).

¶12Appellant had asserted in his opening statement, pleadings,7 and oral proffers,8 facts from which a jury might have inferred an original promise to pay for the legal representation of the son, with credit extended only to the father.9See Pravel, Wilson & Matthews v. Voss, supra; Hogan v. Colley, 227 Ala. 505, 150 So. 501 (1933); Plourd v. Scroggs, supra; Kerner v. Eastern Dispensary &; Casualty Hospital, supra.The fact that appellant’s firm billed the son did not preclude a jury finding of an original promise, since billing is only “a circumstance to be considered [by the finder of fact] in determining whether credit was extended exclusively to [the promisor].” Romney Produce Co. v. Edwards, supra 9 Ariz.App. at 260, 451 P.2d at 340.

¶13The Superior Court rules specifically permit a plaintiff to plead separate claims “regardless of consistency” and to plead a claim “alternately or hypothetically.” Super.Ct.Civ.R. 8(e)(2). Furthermore, the rules permit joinder of parties on a liberal basis, and provide that:

Judgment may be given against one or more defendants according to their respective liabilities. [Super.Ct.Civ.R. 20(a) (emphasis supplied).]

¶14The fact that the son was joined thus may be explained by the rational inference that the law firm wished to protect its position by involving all relevant parties in one lawsuit, as is permitted, even encouraged, under the rules. Consequently, joining the son as a defendant did not preclude a jury finding that credit was extended solely to the father. Furthermore, “a defendant’s default does not in itself warrant the court in entering a default judgment. There must be a sufficient basis in the pleadings for the judgment entered.” Nishimatsu Construction Co. v. Houston National Bank, 515 F.2d 1200, 1206 (5th Cir. 1975).10 Where multiple defendants are involved, the court may enter final judgment as to *969fewer than all of them only upon an express determination that there is no just reason for delay and upon an express direction for the entry of judgment. Super.Ct.Civ.R. 54(b). In the absence of such express determination and direction, the rule specifically provides that

any order or other form of decision, however designated, which adjudicates fewer than all the claims or the rights and liabilities of fewer than all the parties shall not terminate the action as to any of the claims or parties, and the order or other form of decision is subject to revision at any time before the entry of judgment adjudicating all the claims and the rights and liabilities of all the parties [Id. (emphasis supplied).]

¶15There was no such express determination and direction for judgment here. Consequently, entry of default against the son was still subject to modification at the time that the trial court directed the verdict.

¶16The proper way for the trial court to proceed in this case would have been to pursue essentially11 the procedure first set out, and still followed, in Frow v. De La Vega, 82 U.S. (15 Wall.) 552, 554, 21 L.Ed. 60 (1872). In Frow, a bill made a joint charge against several defendants, and one of them defaulted. The Supreme Court held that the correct procedure was

simply to enter a default and a formal decree pro confesso against him, and proceed with the cause upon the answers of the other defendants. The defaulting defendant has merely lost his standing in court. He will not be entitled to service of notice in the cause, nor to appear in it in any way. He can adduce no evidence; he cannot be heard at the final hearing. But if the suit should be denied against the complainant on the merits, the bill will be dismissed as to all the defendants alike — the defaulter as well as the others. If it be decided in the complainant’s favor, he will then be entitled to a final decree against all. But a final decree on the merits against the defaulting defendant alone, pending the continuance of the cause, would be incongruous and illegal.

[Id.]

¶17Although Frowinvolved joint liability, it has been stated that the “general rule developed in the Frowcase applies when the liability is joint and several and probably can be extended to situations in which several defendants have closely related defenses.” 10 C. Wright & A. Miller, Federal Practice & Procedure § 2690, at 290 (1973) (citation omitted; emphasis supplied). The courts have in fact applied the Frowprinciple in a variety of multiple liability situations whenever inconsistency of decrees will be thereby avoided. See, e. g., United States v. Peerless Insurance Co., 374 F.2d 942, 944--45 (4th Cir. 1967) (principal/surety liability); Davis v. National Mortgagee Corp., 349 F.2d 175, 178 (2d Cir. 1965) (joint liability); Baker v. Old National Bank, 91 F. 449, 450 (1st Cir. 1899) (alternative liability); Pratt v. South Canon Supply Co., 47 Colo. 478, 479, 107 P. 1105, 1106 (1910) (primary/secondary liability);12Reliance Insurance Co. v. Thompson-Hayward Chemical Co., 214 Kan. 110, 118, 519 P.2d 730, 736 (1974) (joint and several liability); Harris v. Carter, 33 N.C.App. 179, 182, 234 S.E.2d 472, 474 (1977) (joint and several liability); Rawleigh, Moses & Co. v. Capital City Furniture, Inc., 9 N.C.App. 640, 642-645, 177 S.E.2d 332, 333-34 (1970) (principal/guarantor liability).

¶18Here, the defenses of appellee and his son were closely related, perhaps mutually exclusive. We believe the Frowprinci-*970pie should have been applied. The distinct possibility existed that appellant’s own proof would have exonerated the son and required setting aside his default at the end of trial. Thus, the son’s default could not have been conclusive of the statute of frauds question, either as a matter of evidence or as an estoppel.13

¶19We do not by this opinion determine the merits of appellee’s statute of frauds defense. On remand, the proof may show an intention to create an original promise with credit extended solely to the father, or it may show an intention to extend credit to both father and son. In the latter event, the evidence might or might not show an acceptance of such offer of credit by the son. Finally, assuming acceptance by the son is shown, the evidence might or might not place the case within the “leading object/primary purpose” exception .to the statute of frauds, which we have discussed earlier. We decide only that appellant’s opening statement did not preclude presentation of the statute of frauds issue to the jury, since neither the firm’s billing the son and joining him as a defendant, nor the fact that default had been entered against the son for failure to appear, was conclusive of this issue. It should have been left for the jury to decide the factual issue under appropriate instructions by the court on the statute of frauds question. 2 Corbin on Contracts § 352, at 228-29 (1950).

¶20III.

¶21Lastly, appellee urges the trial court should be affirmed on the ground that appellant’s opening statement did not: (1) “spell out” the terms of the representation; (2) “indicate that the [ajppellee had specifically retained the [appellant’s law firm to do any specific acts for the son”; or (3) make “reference to any benefit running to the [ajppellee.” These contentions lack merit. An opening statement is not a substitute for evidence. Its purpose is merely to inform the court and jury generally what the evidence is expected to show. As supplemented by the pleadings, the opening statement alleged that appellee had retained the firm to represent his son in a criminal matter, had promised to be personally responsible for the fee, and failed to pay when the firm performed. This was sufficient to state a claim.

¶22As to the lack of reference to any benefit running to appellee, in this jurisdiction and most others a contract is enforceable even though no actual benefit accrues to the party promising, so long as the promisee incurs a legal detriment. Kidwell & Kidwell, Inc. v. W. T. Galliher & Bro., Inc., D.C.App., 282 A.2d 575, 578 (1971); Clay v. Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Co., 87 U.S.App.D.C. 284, 285, 184 F.2d 995, 996 (1950); Danenhower v. Hayes, 35 App.D.C. 65, 68 (1910).14

¶23Reversed with instructions to vacate the judgment and the case is remanded for a new trial.