Opinion
88-318.
July 28, 1989.
Appeal from the Circuit Court, Cullman County, Fred C. Folsom, J.
S. Lynn Marie McKenzie of Knight Griffith, Cullman, for appellant.
Frank Williams, Jr., Cullman, for appellee.
Defendant, Irene Gilley, appeals from the denial of her Rule 55(c), Ala.R.Civ.P., motion to set aside a default judgment entered in favor of Junior Crawford in a boundary line dispute.
In Kirtland v. Fort Morgan Authority Sewer Service, Inc., 524 So.2d 600 (Ala. 1988), we discussed in detail Rule 55(c) and the analysis used when a defendant seeks to have a default judgment set aside. We believe that the three-factor analysis of Kirtland and the Rule 55(c) presumption "that cases should be decided on the merits whenever practicable," 524 So.2d at 604, require that the default judgment be set aside and the cause remanded for further proceedings.
In applying Kirtland, we note that the three-factor analysis requires us to look first at whether the defaulting party has demonstrated "the existence of a meritorious defense." In her verified motion to set aside the default judgment, Gilley set out several defenses to the action, including adverse possession. This satisfies the Court's threshold prerequisite.
We must next consider whether the plaintiff will be prejudiced if the default judgment is set aside. We have held that for a court to make such a determination, "the prejudice warranting denial of a Rule 55(c) motion must be substantial," and that "[i]f the harm suffered by the nondefaulting party . . . could be mitigated by the imposition of reasonable terms and conditions, the prejudice is not substantial." 524 So.2d at 607. Here, Crawford planned to use the land for a business venture only, intending to construct a day care center on the property. Crawford's use of the property was not so urgent or critical that any harm suffered by him could not be mitigated by the imposition of reasonable terms and conditions. He would not, therefore, be substantially prejudiced by allowing this case to proceed to trial.
Finally, we consider the culpability of the defaulting party's conduct. In discussing this culpability, we have stated:
"Conduct committed willfully or in bad faith constitutes culpable conduct for purposes of determining whether a default judgment should be set aside. Negligence by itself is insufficient. Willful and bad faith conduct is conduct characterized by incessant and flagrant disrespect for court rules, deliberate and knowing disregard for judicial authority, or intentional nonresponsiveness. Such conduct justifies a finding of culpability and thus militates against an exercise of discretion in favor of the defaulting party. The strong policy of resolving legal issues on the merits must yield when a defaulting party has committed intentional acts that are contrary to procedural rules.
"However, a defaulting party's reasonable explanation for inaction and noncompliance may preclude a finding of culpability."
524 So.2d at 607-08 (citations omitted).
The Kirtland case cited several opinions that "exemplify the types of situations where a trial court might, in its discretion, find evidence of a reasonable explanation for a defaulting party's delay or unresponsiveness." 524 So.2d at 608. One of those cited was Oliver v. Sawyer, 359 So.2d 368 (Ala. 1978), in which the default judgment was set aside due, in part, to the advanced age and illiteracy of the defendant. Here, Gilley is 67 years old and of limited educational background (only a ninth-grade education). She also contends that she has a serious problem with her ability to think and with short- and long-term memory. We hold that under these particular facts and circumstances, Gilley has put forth a reasonable explanation for inaction and noncompliance and, therefore, that a finding of culpability is precluded.
In construing the default judgment rule, "[w]e have affirmatively acknowledged the disfavorable treatment afforded default judgments on the ground that such judgments preclude a trial on the merits." Kirtland, 524 So.2d at 604 (citations omitted). See, also, Wise v. Siegal, 527 So.2d 1281 (Ala. 1988), and Ex parte Illinois Central Gulf R.R., 514 So.2d 1283 (Ala. 1987). Additionally, "in determining whether to grant or deny a motion to set aside a default judgment, [the trial court] should exercise its broad discretionary powers with liberality and should balance the equities of the case with a strong bias toward allowing the defendant to have his day in court." Kirtland, 524 So.2d at 605.
The order of the trial court denying Gilley's motion to set aside the default judgment is reversed and the cause remanded for proceedings in accordance with this opinion.
REVERSED AND REMANDED.
HORNSBY, C.J., and JONES, SHORES, ADAMS, HOUSTON and KENNEDY, JJ., concur.
MADDOX, J., dissents.
Based upon my belief that the trial judge did not abuse his discretion, I must respectfully dissent.
There was ample evidence presented to the trial judge to support his conclusion that Gilley disregarded the notice of suit without justification.
The trial court found that Gilley "was well acquainted with the procedures of court, having been involved in serious litigation prior to this occasion."
The majority excuses her default because of her age, educational level, and mental condition. On this issue, the trial judge stated that "the court is not persuaded that defendant's default is due to any physical or mental condition as alleged." The trial court is in the best position to judge the relative mental capabilities of parties, and we should not substitute our judgment on such an issue for that of a trial judge who has a more intimate knowledge of the parties.
Evidence that Gilley was notified of the impending suit is substantial. Crawford's attorney sent Gilley four letters prior to the time litigation was commenced, informing her that her fence encroached on Crawford's land. Two of the letters specifically informed Gilley that an action would be filed if the fence was not moved. Additionally, she received the normal service of process associated with the filing of a suit, and she also received notice of a scheduled hearing to determine damages. This is not a case in which there can be any claim that the suit papers were misplaced. There was also a decided lack of evidence presented to support Gilley's claim of a meritorious defense. Nothing other than Gilley's own affidavit claiming adverse possession and an overlap in deeds was presented. "The allegations set forth in the answer and in the motions must be more than mere bare legal conclusions without factual support." Kirtland v. Fort Morgan Authority Sewer Service, Inc., 524 So.2d 600, 606 (Ala. 1988). To support his claim, Crawford presented his warranty deed, a recently conducted survey of the parcel, and certified tax records from the tax assessor's office. The trial court's establishment of the boundary line adversely to Gilley was well supported by the evidence. It appears to me that Gilley intentionally ignored Crawford's claim and acted only after Crawford's claim had been proved. To allow her a right to a trial of her claim, in view of her actions, violates the principle stated in Rule 1, Ala.R.Civ.P. Unfortunately, the Court allows another defaulting party to flout judicial process, without justification, and ties the hands of the trial judge in the process.
For the foregoing reasons, I dissent.