Carrabine Construction Co. v. Chrysler Realty Corp.

495 N.E.2d 952, 25 Ohio St. 3d 222, 25 Ohio B. 283, 1986 Ohio LEXIS 724
CourtOhio Supreme Court
DecidedAugust 6, 1986
DocketNo. 85-1441
StatusPublished
Cited by25 cases

This text of 495 N.E.2d 952 (Carrabine Construction Co. v. Chrysler Realty Corp.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Ohio Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Carrabine Construction Co. v. Chrysler Realty Corp., 495 N.E.2d 952, 25 Ohio St. 3d 222, 25 Ohio B. 283, 1986 Ohio LEXIS 724 (Ohio 1986).

Opinion

Locher, J.

The issue presented in this action is whether the trial court properly granted summary judgment in favor of Chrysler. For the reasons that follow, we hold that summary judgment was properly granted and, accordingly, reverse the judgment of the court of appeals on this issue.

Our analysis must begin by examining the procedural controversy surrounding this action. The controversy centers around the testimony of Norman Salem, zoning administrator for the city of Akron. Salem’s testimony was presented for the first time at the summary judgment hearing on March 29, 1983. That trial court heard Salem’s sworn testimony and stated in its opinion and ruling that it was “convinced that, as a matter of law, the property in question was properly zoned. The testimony of Mr. Norman Salem * * * was most persuasive in this regard. * * *” The trial court then granted summary judgment in favor of Chrysler. In Carrabine Constr. Co. v. Chrysler Realty Corp. (Dec. 22, 1983), Cuyahoga App. No. 46886, unreported, the court of appeals, in overturning the trial court’s decision, stated:

“* * * [T]he court based its ruling upon the oral testimony of Salem as to the procedures which allegedly should have been followed by * * * [Car[225]*225rabine] to avoid delay, and in addition, heard testimony concerning claimed oral modifications of the contract documents.
“* * * We find that in the instant case the court’s consideration of the testimony, presented for the first time at the hearing, is improper under Civ. R. 56.
“Absent the testimony of Salem, the court was unable to determine whether the subject property was improperly zoned, as claimed by * * * [Carrabine], and therefore it could not grant summary judgment on the issue of delay as a matter of law.”

Following remand, Chrysler again moved for summary judgment under Civ. R. 56(C). Chrysler submitted the transcript of the testimony of Salem from the prior hearing as part of its evidence. On August 30, 1984, the new trial court granted Chrysler’s motion for summary judgment. Upon appeal, the court of appeals stated in pertinent part: “We conclude that the transcribed oral testimony was not properly before the court. Although Civ. R. 56(C) permits transcripts of evidence in the pending case, e.g., Gessler v. Madigan (1974), 41 Ohio App. 2d 76 [70 O.O.2d 68], we construe this to mean transcripts of evidence in the pending case otherwise than in connection with the motion for summary judgment. * * * The testimony should not have been presented and received in the first place and cannot be legitimatized by having it transcribed.” We do not agree.

Civ. R. 56(C) provides in relevant part:

“Summary judgment shall be rendered forthwith if the pleading, depositions, answers to interrogatories, written admissions, affidavits, transcripts of evidence in the pending case, and written stipulations of fact, if any, timely filed in the action, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. No evidence or stipulation may be considered except as stated in this rule.” (Emphasis added.)

Thus, a trial court is precluded from considering supplemental oral testimony introduced for the first time at a hearing on a motion for summary judgment under Civ. R. 56. The language of the rule is clear as to what should be considered by a trial court in a summary judgment proceeding. Additionally, a summary judgment hearing is not the proper setting for conducting a full trial.

In the instant case, the oral testimony was improperly considered by the trial judge when heard for the first time in the summary judgment hearing on March 29, 1983. However, that testimony does not remain “defective” following transcription when the testimony is reliable. The transcribed testimony of Norman Salem was properly considered by the trial court in the 1984 summary judgment proceeding. The testimony is embraced within Civ. R. 56 as “transcripts of evidence in the pending case.” To rule that the transcript of Salem’s testimony should not have been considered is, in effect, to rule that the transcript is not reliable evidence. However, the testimony is reliable. The transcribed testimony is [226]*226sworn testimony in a court of law at a hearing in which opposing counsel was present. Opposing counsel had the opportunity to rebut the testimony and cross-examine Salem. Finally, the 1984 summary judgment was granted by a judge who did not hear or witness the oral testimony. Chrysler contends that the transcribed oral testimony is analogous to a deposition transcript. We agree.

Additionally, to require Chrysler to have the same testimony transcribed in a deposition or written in interrogatories would, at this point, be senseless and result in a triumph of form over substance. Also, further consideration of this testimony by yet another trial court would amount to a waste of judicial resources. Thus, we hold that the transcribed testimony of Norman Salem was properly considered by the trial court.

We must now consider whether the facts contained in the record, as considered by the trial court, warrant summary judgment in favor of Chrysler. “It is axiomatic that summary judgment shall be rendered only when the movant has shown that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact. Civ. R. 56(C). Further, upon appeal from summary judgment, the reviewing court should look at the record in the light most favorable to the party opposing the motion. * * *” Campbell v. Hospitality Motor Inns, Inc. (1986), 24 Ohio St. 3d 54, 58. It should be noted that the court of appeals below, following its discussion on the transcribed testimony, concluded: “Moreover, the substance of the disputed evidence would not warrant summary disposition.” Upon an examination of the record in the light most favorable to Carrabine, we disagree with this finding of the court of appeals.

It is necessary to outline the facts once again. In February 1972, Chrysler solicited bids for construction of a new car dealership in Akron, Ohio. Carrabine was awarded the contract as the successful contractor-bidder. The “bid package,” which was received by all bidders, consisted of several documents. These documents outlined, among other things, the duties and obligations to be incurred by the successful contractor-bidder. After the contract was awarded to Carrabine, several additional documents became part of the “contract.” At least six of the documents2 specifically placed the burden of complying with all local laws, ordinances and regulations on the contractor. The contractor also had the responsibility to secure all necessary permits. Additionally, Article 30 of the document entitled “General Conditions for Construction Contracts” provided a “no damages for delay” clause. This clause specifically places the [227]*227risk of delay, including those caused by governmental act or regulation, on the contractor, and states in pertinent part: “The Contractor shall have no claim against the Owner for an increase in the contract price or a payment or allowance of any kind based on any damage, loss or additional expense the Contractor may suffer as a result of any delays in prosecuting or completing the work under the contract, whether such delays are caused by the circumstances set forth in the preceding paragraph or by any other circumstances.

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Bluebook (online)
495 N.E.2d 952, 25 Ohio St. 3d 222, 25 Ohio B. 283, 1986 Ohio LEXIS 724, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/carrabine-construction-co-v-chrysler-realty-corp-ohio-1986.