Opinion
No. 5827
Decided March 4, 1958.
Appeal — On questions of law and fact — Chancery case — Action to construe contract and for accounting — Appeal dismissed and cause retained on questions of law, when — Supersedeas bond — Failure to comply with Section 2505.09, Revised Code — Motion for rehearing — Overruled where not accompanied by brief — Rule III, Rules of Courts of Appeals.
1. A declaratory judgment action to construe the rights of an attorney under a written agreement for legal services and to order an accounting is primarily equitable in nature, constitutes a chancery case, and is appealable on questions of law and fact.
2. In an appeal to the Court of Appeals on questions of law and fact, under the provisions of Section 2505.09, Revised Code, the appellant is required to be the principal and the one primarily liable on the supersedeas bond, and the amount of such bond is required to be a sum not less than the amount of the judgment and interest.
3. An appeal on questions of law and fact will be dismissed, and the cause retained as an appeal on questions of law only, where the supersedeas bond filed by the appellant does not comply with the provisions of Section 2505.09, Revised Code.
4. A motion for rehearing, filed in the Court of Appeals without an accompanying brief, will be overruled for failure to comply with the requirement of subparagraph 1 of Rule III, Rules of the Courts of Appeals, that "applications, motions and demurrers shall be accompanied by briefs."
ON MOTION to dismiss: Court of Appeals for Franklin County.
Mr. Philip C. Ebeling, for appellees.
Messrs. Herbert, Tuttle, Applegate Britt, for appellant.
This matter comes on for consideration upon the motion of William G. Pickrel and others, plaintiffs, appellees herein, to dismiss the appeal on questions of law and fact of May T. Hrobon, defendant, appellant herein. Pickrel and others will be referred to as plaintiffs and Mrs. Hrobon as defendant.
The first ground of the motion is as follows:
"1. The action below was a statutory action for a declaratory judgment which is not appealable on questions of law and fact."
In support thereof, counsel for plaintiffs argue that only questions known as chancery cases at the time of the adoption of the 1912 Constitution may be the subject of an appeal on questions of law and fact; that this action was for a declaratory judgment; that the right to bring a declaratory action was created by statute in 1933; and hence that an appeal on questions of law and fact is not permitted.
Counsel for defendant disputes this, claiming some declaratory actions may be the subject of a law and fact appeal, while others may not. They urge that the nature of the declaratory judgment action must be looked to to tell whether it is a law action or one where equitable relief is the main objective, and that, in the latter case, which they say is the case here, a law and fact appeal is permissible.
It has been held by the Supreme Court of Ohio that an action for a declaratory judgment may possess attributes either of law or equity, depending upon the particular case. In Sessions, Trustee, v. Skelton, 163 Ohio St. 409, 127 N.E.2d 378, the third paragraph of the syllabus is as follows:
"3. An action for a declaratory judgment is sui generis in the sense that it is neither one strictly in equity nor one strictly at law; it is purely a procedural remedy wherein the court having jurisdiction may apply such principles of equity or of law as may be necessary to adjudicate the issues presented."
At page 415 of the majority opinion by Zimmerman, J., it was said:
"It has been observed that an action for a declaratory judgment is sui generis in the sense that it is neither one strictly in equity nor one strictly at law; it may possess attributes of both. Although declaratory judgment actions had their origin in controversies peculiar to equity, such an action may be utilized in a matter which is strictly legal. A declaratory judgment action creates no new or substantive rights, it is purely a procedural remedy, and in determining the issues presented such principles of law or of equity may be invoked as are appropriate. When such an action partakes of equity it calls for the application of equitable principles and when it partakes of an action at law it utilizes any available legal principles necessary to dispose of the issues. See Borchard on Declaratory Judgments (2 Ed.), 237 et seq."
In Westerhaus Co., Inc., v. City of Cincinnati, 165 Ohio St. 327, 135 N.E.2d 318, the first, second and third paragraphs of the syllabus are as follows:
"1. Whether an action is legal and, therefore, appealable on questions of law only or equitable and, therefore, appealable on questions of law and fact is determined from the pleadings and the issues made thereby.
"2. Where a petition indicates that the primary or paramount issues raised are equitable and any other relief sought is merely incidental to the equitable relief sought, the case is a `chancery case.'
"3. An action may be a `chancery case' even though declaratory judgment relief is sought therein."
Taft, J., in the opinion in the Westerhaus case, supra, refers with approval to the prior holdings that if the case below is a "chancery case" it is appealable upon questions of law and fact. He cites in support thereof Meyer v. Meyer, 153 Ohio St. 408, 91 N.E.2d 892, and Connelly, Trustee, v. Balkwill, 160 Ohio St. 430, 116 N.E.2d 701. In the latter case, paragraph one of the syllabus reads:
"1. Whether an action is legal and, therefore, appealable on questions of law only or equitable and, therefore, appealable on questions of law and fact is determined from the pleadings and the issues made thereby."
The Westerhaus case, supra ( 165 Ohio St. 327), was decided June 6, 1956.
In 16 Ohio Jurisprudence (2d), 643, Declaratory Judgments, Section 11, Nature of Proceeding, it is said:
"An action for a declaratory judgment is essentially a special statutory proceeding. Such an action is sui generis in the sense that it is neither one strictly in equity nor one strictly at law. But the Code provisions providing for declaratory judgments do not establish or change any substantive rights; they simply broaden the remedies, but do not, and could not, change the essential nature of an action itself. Therefore, whether a particular action for a declaratory judgment is legal or equitable in nature, and whether legal or equitable principles may be invoked, is dependent upon the nature of the issues raised. In determining the issues presented such principles of law or of equity may be invoked as are appropriate. When such an action partakes of equity it calls for the application of equitable principles, and when it partakes of an action at law it utilizes any available principles necessary to dispose of the issues.
"Applying the above principles, a matter primarily involving the construction of a written agreement and determining the right to maintain a mandatory injunction for a violation of a restriction in a deed is equitable in nature. * * *"
Applying the tests above set forth to the pleadings and issues in the case now before us, it would appear that the proceeding below was primarily equitable in nature. Plaintiffs attached to their petition an exact copy of the signed agreement between defendant and plaintiffs for their legal services and asked the court to construe their rights and to order an accounting on behalf of the defendant with respect thereto. In both causes of action, plaintiffs allege they have made demand upon defendant for an accounting and in each case it is alleged defendant has failed or refused so to do.
1 Ohio Jurisprudence (2d), 206, Accounts and Accounting, Section 49, reads in part as follows:
"The existence of a fiduciary relationship between the parties is ground for equitable jurisdiction of an action by one to compel an accounting by the other. * * *
"Equitable jurisdiction over accounting by various other persons in fiduciary relations such as principal and agent, principal and factor, attorney and client, and partner, exists."
For the reasons above set forth the first ground for the motion to dismiss is not well taken and must be overruled.
The second ground is as follows:
"2. No bond was filed as required by law in order to support an appeal on questions of law and fact."
In support of this ground, plaintiffs refer to Section 2505.06 of the Revised Code which provides as follows:
"Except as provided in section 2505.12 of the Revised Code, no appeal shall be effective as an appeal upon questions of law and fact until the order, judgment, or decree appealed from is superseded by a bond in the amount and with the conditions provided in Sections 2505.09 and 2505.14 of the Revised Code, and unless such bond is filed at the time the notice of appeal is required to be filed."
On behalf of the defendant, it is claimed that all provisions of the bond statute have been complied with and that a bond in the sum of $85,000, as approved by the lower court, is now on file with the Clerk of Courts of Franklin County.
We have examined the papers in this case and have failed to find any order fixing such bond at $85,000. We find that the court below decided the case on July 25, 1957, and on October 11, 1957, by journal entry, duly filed, overruled a motion for a new trial and entered judgment for $76,909.15 and interest in favor of plaintiffs and against defendant on plaintiffs' first cause of action. The court further found that plaintiffs were entitled to receive, upon sale of the subject property, twenty-five percent of any amount received in excess of $352,234.61 under the circumstances therein described.
It was on October 31, 1957, that the notice of appeal on questions of law and fact was filed and on the same date a journal entry was filed fixing the amount and conditions of the supersedeas bond required under Section 2505.06 of the Revised Code. Instead of fixing the supersedeas bond for twice the amount of $76,909.15 and interest, or the amount of $153,818.30 and interest, the court set the amount at $110,000. The entry reads as follows:
"This day this cause came on to be heard upon application to fix a supersedeas bond in the above action and the same was heard in open court with both parties present, and the court finds the parties have agreed upon additional security for any judgment and that a bond should be approved.
"Wherefore, it is hereby ordered and decreed that a supersedeas bond be fixed in the sum of one hundred ten thousand ($110,000) dollars and that the clerk of court shall take the defendant as principal on the bond and Emil M. Hrobon Maxine Hrobon as security on said bond and that in view of other security being agreed upon between the parties further security is hereby dispensed with."
The bond in this case is entered in "Capital Record of Miscellaneous Bonds No. 2, Page 225." This supersedeas bond reads in part as follows:
"Know all men by these presents, That we, May T. Hrobon, Emil M. Hrobon and Maxine Hrobon are held and firmly bound unto plaintiffs in the sum of one hundred ten thousand and no/100 dollars, to the payment of which sum, well and truly to be made, we do hereby jointly and severally bind ourselves, our successors, heirs, executors and administrators.
"Signed by us, and dated this 31st day of Oct. 1957.
"The condition of the above obligation is such, That, entry filed Oct. 31, 1957:
"This day this cause came on to be heard upon application to fix a supersedeas bond in the above action and the same was heard in open court with both parties present, and the court finds the parties have agreed upon additional security for any judgment and that a bond should be approved.
"Wherefore, it is hereby ordered and decreed that a supersedeas bond be fixed in the sum of one hundred ten thousand ($110,000) dollars and that the clerk of court shall take the defendant as principal on the bond and Emil M. Hrobon and Maxine Hrobon, as securitiy (security) on said bond and that in view of other security being agreed upon between the parties further security is hereby dispensed with.
"Gessaman, Judge
"Edwin M. Tuttle
"Then this obligation to be void; otherwise to remain in full force and virtue in law.
"(Known as Coredlia May Hrobon)
[Note: Above is printed in ink.]
"Executed in presence of "Dorothy Campbell May T. Hrobon "Deputy Clerk Emil Hrobon "Maxine Hrobon"
Attached to the above bond are two certificates from the office of the Franklin County Auditor, each of which contains the following statement:
"This is to certify, that the principal and sureties subscribing to the appended bond appear on the tax lists of Franklin County, Ohio, with the taxable valuations shown opposite their names:"
On one of the certificates property standing in the name of Emil M. and Maxine Hrobon, located at 2861 S. Dorchester Road, is valued at $18,020, while on the other, property standing in the name of Cordelia M. Hrobon, located at 1969 Chatfield Road, is valued at $26,050. The second certificate bears this notation: "Accepted on advice of Judge Gessaman."
We are unable to find any other or any further evidence that the supersedeas bond complies with the statute. Section 2505.09 of the Revised Code requires not only that the principal amount of the bond shall be not less than the amount of judgment and interest but also that there be sufficient surety. Section 2505.09, supra, is as follows:
"No appeal shall operate as a stay of execution, except as provided in sections 2505.11 and 2505.12 of the Revised Code, until a supersedeas bond is executed by the appellant to the adverse party with sufficient surety and in such sum, not less than the amount of the judgment and interest, as is directed by the court making the order which is sought to be superseded or by the court to which the appeal is taken. Such bond shall be conditioned as provided in Section 2505.14 of the Revised Code." (Emphasis added.)
In a case such as this the appellant was required to be the principal on the bond and is the one primarily liable for the full amount of judgment, interest and costs which may be ultimately found to be due from such appellant. In order for the sureties to qualify, property they own is required in addition to that which may be owned by the appellant.
Hence, from the records available to us it would appear that property having a tax value of $18,020, and nothing else, is pledged as surety for the appellant on a bond in the principal sum of $110,000. By no stretch of the imagination could this be said to comply either with the statute or the order of Judge Gessaman. The second ground of the motion is well taken and will, therefore, be sustained.
The third and final ground of the motion to dismiss is as follows:
"The trial brief required by Rule VII, sub-division B, to be filed within fifty (50) days has not been filed by appellant."
Plaintiffs urge that the notice of appeal was filed October 31, 1957, and they contend under Rule VII, B, of this court, that the appellant should have filed a trial brief within fifty days thereafter. The rule referred to, namely, subdivision B of Rule VII, Rules of the Courts of Appeals, prior to the amendment, effective January 1, 1958, was as follows:
"Unless otherwise ordered by the court or a judge thereof, upon appeals on questions of law and fact, counsel for plaintiff shall, within fifty (50) days after filing the notice of appeal, file with the clerk his trial brief.
"Within fifteen (15) days after plaintiff's brief has been filed and a copy thereof served on opposite counsel, such opposing counsel shall file like briefs, and brief in reply thereto shall be filed within seven (7) days thereafter."
It will be noted that the obligation of this rule applies to the plaintiffs in the court below, in this case, appellees. It is to be doubted if plaintiffs seek to invoke this rule against themselves. This ground must, therefore, be held not to be well taken.
In light of our conclusions as set forth above, the first and third grounds of the motion to dismiss will be overruled and the court having found the second ground shown upon the present apparent condition of the record to be well taken, it will be sustained and the appeal will be dismissed as an appeal on questions of law and fact, but will be retained as an appeal on questions of law with the usual time allowed defendant to settle her bill of exceptions.
Judgment accordingly.
PETREE, P. J., and MILLER, J., concur.
(Decided April 29, 1958.)
ON REHEARING.
BRYANT, J. The sole question before the court at this time in the above entitled case arises under a motion for rehearing of a motion to dismiss the appeal on questions of law and fact filed by counsel for defendant, appellant herein, May T. Hrobon. Said motion is as follows:
"Now comes the defendant and moves for a rehearing upon the opinion of the court relative to the second part of the plaintiffs' motion to dismiss the appeal on law and fact which reads: `No bond was filed as required by law in order to support an appeal on questions of law and fact,' for the following reasons:
"(a) After a hearing before Judge Gessaman and representation of the security of May T. Hrobon, principle [principal] and Emil M. Hrobon, surety, the entry was made as set forth in the court's opinion accepting the bond as furnished.
"(b) Plaintiff was cognizant of bond as filed and agreed to the same.
"(c) The bond furnished was in accordance with the order of Gessaman, J." (Bracketed material added.)
We have considered the motion and the memorandum in opposition filed by counsel for plaintiffs. We have examined the file with care and are unable to find any brief or memorandum in support of the motion of April 4, 1958, above referred to. It is our conclusion that the motion is not well taken and that we should adhere to our opinion of March 4, 1958.
We also note that the failure to accompany this motion with a memorandum or brief setting forth the statutes, cases, text or authorities relied upon and how they apply to the pending question amounts to a failure to comply with subparagraph 1 of Rule III of the rules of this court, which provides in part as follows:
"* * * Applications, motions and demurrers shall be accompanied by briefs * * *."
For the reasons above set forth the motion for rehearing must be overruled.
Motion overruled.
PETREE, P. J., and MILLER, J., concur.