Bryan Trucking v. Terry Gier

374 P.3d 585, 160 Idaho 422, 2016 Ida. LEXIS 181
CourtIdaho Supreme Court
DecidedJune 28, 2016
DocketDocket 43461
StatusPublished
Cited by10 cases

This text of 374 P.3d 585 (Bryan Trucking v. Terry Gier) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Idaho Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Bryan Trucking v. Terry Gier, 374 P.3d 585, 160 Idaho 422, 2016 Ida. LEXIS 181 (Idaho 2016).

Opinions

J. JONES, Chief Justice

Appellant Bryan Trucking, Inc., sued Respondent Terry Gier for fraud, based on statements and representations Gier alleged[424]*424ly made to Bryan Trucking that induced Bryan Trucking to purchase a used commercial truck from a third party. The district court dismissed the claim by stipulation of the parties. Bryan Trucking appeals the district court’s subsequent award of costs and attorney fees to Gier.

I.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Gier is a member of Gier Jammer’s Diesel Repair, LLC. Gier Jammer’s serviced long-haul trucks for Bryan Trucking starting in 2009. In August 2012, Gier Jammer’s overhauled the motor in a 2005 Kenworth truck owned by Niel Ring Trucking, Inc. (“Ring Trucking”).1 In approximately November 2013, Niel Ring (“Ring”) notified Gier that Ring Trucking wanted to sell the truck. Shortly thereafter, Ty Bryan of Bryan Trucking happened to ask Gier if Gier knew of anyone selling a used truck. Gier informed Bryan of the 2005 Kenworth for sale by Ring Trucking. Because Gier and Gier Jammer’s had overhauled the Kenworth’s motor and performed other maintenance on the vehicle, Gier was able to answer numerous questions Bryan posed about the truck.

Bryan Trucking purchased the truck from Ring Tracking in January 2014. The parties agree that the truck experienced leaking and overheating problems in April 2014. However, the parties dispute the cause of the problems. Bryan Tracking alleged that Gier improperly overhauled the track, while Gier alleged that Bryan caused the overheating and subsequent damage. Bryan Tracking allegedly incurred more than $10,000 in costs related to the repair of the track.

Bryan Tracking sued Ring Tracking as well as Gier and Ring individually. The amended complaint alleged four counts: Fraud against both Gier and Ring, plus breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and unjust enrichment against Ring and Ring Tracking. The amended complaint also alleged that Bryan Tracking is entitled to attorney fees under Idaho Code sections 12-120(3) and 12-121.

The district court dismissed the claims against Ring and Ring Trucking by stipulation of the parties. On April 21, 2015, the district court dismissed with prejudice the claim against Gier, also by stipulation. On May 5, 2015, fourteen days later, Gier filed a “Memorandum of Costs, Disbursements and Attorneys Fees” with the district court. Gier also emailed the memorandum and supporting documents to Bryan Tracking’s counsel the same day, but did not attempt any other method of delivery. Bryan Tracking filed and served a motion to disallow GieFs memorandum of costs, alleging that Gier could not recover costs and fees because he had failed to timely serve the memorandum of costs on Bryan Trucking. At a subsequent hearing, the district court awarded costs and attorney fees to Gier. The court concluded Gier had not waived the request by failing to serve the memorandum of costs and fees on Bryan Trucking within fourteen days and that Idaho Code section 12-120(3) provided a legal basis supporting an award of fees. On July 1, 2015, the district court issued an amended judgment awarding Gier costs and fees totaling $26,496.66. Bryan Tracking timely appealed on August 7,2015.

II.

ISSUES PRESENTED ON APPEAL

1. Whether the district court erred in concluding Gier did not waive his right to fees and costs by failing to serve Bryan Tracking within fourteen days.

2. Whether the district court erred in concluding there was a commercial transaction supporting an award of attorney fees to Gier under Idaho Code section 12-120(3).

3. Whether Gier is entitled to recover attorney fees at the district court under Idaho [425]*425Code section 12-121 in the event he cannot recover under section 12-120(3).

4. Whether either party is entitled to attorney fees on appeal.

III.

STANDARD OF REVIEW

“The interpretation of the Idaho Rules of Civil Procedure is.a matter of law over which this Court has free review.” Printcraft Press, Inc. v. Sunnyside Park Utilities, Inc., 153 Idaho 440, 448, 283 P.3d 757, 765 (2012).

“The awarding of attorney fees and costs is within the discretion of the trial court and subject to review for an abuse of discretion.” Idaho Transp. Dep’t v. Ascorp, Inc., 159 Idaho 138, 140, 357 P.3d 863, 865 (2015). However, “[wjhether an action is based on a commercial transaction is a question of law over which this Court exercises free review.” Id.

rv.

ANALYSIS

A. The district court did not err in concluding Gier did not waive his right to fees and costs by failing to serve Bryan Trucking within fourteen days.

Idaho Rule of Civil Procedure 54(d)(5) provides:

At any time after the verdict of a jury or a decision of the court, any party who claims costs may file and serve on adverse parties a memorandum of costs, itemizing each claimed expense, but such memorandum of costs may not be filed later than fourteen (14) days after entry of judgment. Such memorandum must state that to the best of the party’s knowledge and belief the items are correct and that the costs claimed are in compliance with this rule. Failure to file such memorandum of costs within the period prescribed by this rule shall be a waiver of the right of costs. A •memorandum of costs prematurely filed shall be considered as timely.

Similarly, Idaho Rule of Civil Procedure 54(e)(5) provides in relevant part that “Attorney fees, when allowable by statute or contract, shall be deemed as costs in an action and processed in the same manner as costs and included in the memorandum of costs.”

Here, it is undisputed that Gier filed a memorandum of costs and fees with the district court fourteen days after the court entered judgment and that Gier did not serve the memorandum of costs and fees on Bryan Tracking within the same fourteen-day period.2 Bryan Trucking moved to disallow Gier’s memorandum of costs and fees on the basis that the memorandum was not timely served. The district court ruled that the motion was timely filed and that Gier’s failure to serve it on Bryan Trucking within the filing period did not constitute a waiver of Gier’s right to collect fees and costs.

On appeal, Bryan Tracking relies on Williams v. Haven, where the Court held: “A failure to both serve and file the itemized memorandum of costs within the time prescribed by the statute is fatal, and costs cannot be allowed where the statute is not complied with.” 92 Idaho 439, 446-447, 444 P.2d 132, 139-140 (1968). However, Williams predates Rule 54(d) and (e); the case addressed the proper construction of Idaho Code section 12-113. Williams, 92 Idaho at 446, 444 P.2d at 139. That statute, which was repealed in 1975, provided in relevant part that

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Bluebook (online)
374 P.3d 585, 160 Idaho 422, 2016 Ida. LEXIS 181, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/bryan-trucking-v-terry-gier-idaho-2016.