Dunseath v. Hallauer

246 P.2d 496, 40 Wash. 2d 708, 1952 Wash. LEXIS 379
CourtWashington Supreme Court
DecidedJuly 3, 1952
DocketNo. 31979
StatusPublished
Cited by2 cases

This text of 246 P.2d 496 (Dunseath v. Hallauer) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Washington Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Dunseath v. Hallauer, 246 P.2d 496, 40 Wash. 2d 708, 1952 Wash. LEXIS 379 (Wash. 1952).

Opinion

Weaver, J.

Respondent moves: (1) to strike the statement of facts upon the ground that it was not served and filed within the time prescribed by law; (2) to vacate the order granting extension of time for filing appellants’ opening brief because application for it was not properly or timely made; (3) to strike the transcript of the record upon the ground that it was not filed within the time limited by law; or (4) in the alternative, to dismiss the appeal because it has not been diligently prosecuted.

The procedural facts necessary to our decision are these:

1. July 24, 1951 Findings of Fact filed.
2 » » » Judgment signed and filed.
3 ” ” ” Motion for a new trial filed.
4. Aug. 21, 1951 First Notice of Appeal served.
5. Aug. 22, 1951 First Notice of Appeal filed.
6. Aug. 31, 1951 Cash bond filed and notice given.
7. Oct. 1,1951 Order denying motion for a new trial.
[709]*7098. Oct. 17, 1951 Second notice of appeal served.
9. Oct. 22, 1951 Second notice of appeal filed.
10. Oct. 22, 1951 Statement of Facts filed.
11. Oct. 25, 1951 Second bond for costs filed.
12 ” 99 Supersedeas bond filed.
Nov. 26, 1951 Statement of Facts served.

Rule on Appeal 34, 34A Wn. (2d) 36, provides, in part:

“A proposed statement of facts must be served on one of the adverse parties and filed in the office of the clerk of the superior court in which the case was tried within ninety days after the date of entry of the final judgment, or appeal-able order, for the purpose of appealing from which the statement is proposed and notice of the filing thereof shall also be served on all other adverse parties: ...” (Italics ours.)

Respondent contends that the statement of facts had to be served and filed within ninety days after July 24, 1951, the date judgment was entered or on or before October 22nd. It was filed October 22nd and served November 26th.

Appellants argue that the period in which the statement of facts may be served and filed did not commence until October 1, 1951, the daté the court denied appellants’ motion for a new trial, and thus the statement of facts was served and filed within ninety days thereafter.

The motion for a new trial is the root of the problem. The question presented is not a narrow one limited to its effect upon the time in which a statement of facts should be served and filed upon appeal. It also affects the time in which notice of appeal should be given, for Rule on Appeal 33 (34A Wn. (2d) 33) requires that notice of appeal be given within thirty days “after the day of the entry of such final judgment."

The language of both Rule 33 and Rule 34, as italicized above, is almost identical. Unless the time in which an appeal can be taken commences to rim at the same moment the period startsf in which a statement of facts must be served and filed, we have a procedural inconsistency which not only creates pitfalls for the unwary, but which places even resourceful counsel in a dilemma when there is a [710]*710motion for a new trial pending at the time judgment is entered, or such a motion is filed thereafter within two days from the date the findings are filed.

It could well happen, by reason of prolonged argument, written briefs, and the matter being taken under advisement by the trial judge, that an order denying a motion for a new trial might not be entered until more than ninety days after the entry of the judgment. The losing party would then (under authorities discussed later) have the right to appeal, but, should the time in which a statement of facts must be filed start from the date of the judgment, he would not have the right to serve and file a statement of facts. This is an extreme example, but it illustrates the possible inconsistency.

In order to resolve the question of when the period starts to run in which a statement of facts must be filed, it is necessary to examine our present statutes and rules, and those in force prior to 1921.

RCW 4.44.050 reads as follows:

“Upon the trial of an issue of fact by the court, its decisions shall be given in writing and filed with the clerk. In giving the decision, the facts found and the conclusions of law shall be separately stated. Judgment upon the decision shall be entered accordingly. [1854 p 168 § 205; Code 1881 § 246; RRS § 367.]”

RCW 4.44.060 provides:

“The order of proceedings on a trial by the court, shall be the same as provided in trials by jury. The finding of the court upon the facts shall be deemed a verdict, and may be set aside in the same manner and for the same reason, in so far as applicable, and a new trial granted. [1869 p 60 § 251; Code 1881 § 247; RRS § 368.]”

RCW 4.76.060 provides, in part:

“The party moving for a new trial must, within two days after the verdict of a jury, ... or two days after notice in writing of the decision of the court or referee, if the action was tried without a jury, file with the clerk, and serve upon the adverse party, his motion for a new trial, designating the grounds upon which it is made. . . . [1891 c 59 § 1; 1897 c 14 § 1; RRS § 402.]” (Italics ours.)

[711]*711This section of the statute we have further expanded and explained by providing that the time within which a motion for a new trial shall be served and filed shall not begin to run until the findings of fact and conclusions of law have been signed by the court. Rule of Superior Court 16, 34A Wn. (2d) 118.

In construing the statutes above set forth, we said, in State ex rel. Payson v. Chapman, 35 Wash. 64, 66, 76 Pac. 525:

“It clearly appears from these sections that the practice in equity, and other cases tried by the court without a jury, is governed by the rules applicable to jury trials.” (Italics ours.)

Prior t.o the adoption of section 1, chapter 65, p. 199, Laws of 1921 (now RCW 4.64.010), the time for entering judgment was governed by Rem. 1915 Code, § 431, which provided, in part:

“When a trial by jury has been had, judgment shall be entered by the clerk immediately in conformity to the verdict . . . Provided, however, that if a motion for a new trial shall be filed, execution shall not be issued upon said judgment until said motion shall be determined: And provided, further, That the granting of a motion for a new trial shall immediately operate as the vacation and setting aside of said judgment. [L. ’03, p. 285, § 1. . . . ]” (Italics ours.)

Thus, under Rem.

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Bluebook (online)
246 P.2d 496, 40 Wash. 2d 708, 1952 Wash. LEXIS 379, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/dunseath-v-hallauer-wash-1952.