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finding that a sales contract and its addendum were documents upon which the complaint necessarily relied
Summary of this case from Ophir Corp. v. Honeywell Int'l Inc.Opinion
Argued and Submitted May 7, 2004.
NOT FOR PUBLICATION. (See Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure Rule 36-3)
Rehearing Denied May 23, 2005.
Page 77.
John Harris Paer, Honolulu, HI, for Plaintiffs-Appellants.
J.N. Wiedman, Honolulu, HI, for Defendant-Appellee.
Appeal from the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, David A. Ezra, District Judge, Presiding.
Before FARRIS, NOONAN, and RAWLINSON, Circuit Judges.
This disposition is not appropriate for publication and may not be cited to or by the courts of this circuit except as provided by Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3.
Kevin and Lilly Rosa (the Rosas) appeal the district court's granting of Cutter Pontiac Buick GMC's motion for Judgment on the Pleadings. The Rosas contend that their complaint and supporting exhibits adequately allege consummation of the credit transaction, and, therefore, the defendant may be held to answer for alleged violations of the Truth in Lending Act.
Regulation Z defines consummation as "the time that a consumer becomes contractually obligated on a credit transaction." Jackson v. Grant, 890 F.2d 118, 120 (9th Cir.1989) (quoting 12 C.F.R. § 226.2(a)(13)). "When a consumer 'becomes contractually obligated' is, in turn, determined by looking to state law[.]" Id. In Hawaii, a credit sale contract must be in writing; contain, incorporate by reference, or otherwise clearly refer to all the agreement of the parties; and be signed by the parties. H.R.S. § 476-3(a)(1)-(3).
The Rosas did not sign the Credit Sale Contract. However, they did sign the Addendum to the Credit Sale Contract, which is described as "intended to be the front page of the Credit Sale Contract."
When reviewing motions for judgment on the pleadings under Rule 12(c) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, we may consider documents on which the complaint necessary relies. See Lee v. City of Los Angeles, 250 F.3d 668, 688 (9th Cir.2001). The Complaint necessarily relied upon the Credit Sale Contract, of which the Addendum was a part. The fact that the Rosas signed the Addendum and accepted the goods created a triable issue of fact regarding whether the Rosas became contractually obligated under Hawaii law, thereby precluding entry of judgment on the pleadings. Gen. Conference Corp. of Seventh Day Adventists v. Seventh-Day Adventist Congregatinal Church, 881 F.2d 228, 230 (9th Cir. 1989); see H.R.S. § 490:2-201(1)-(3); see also Jackson, 890 F.2d at 121-22.
The district court in this case also determined that no contract was consummated because the Rosas did not qualify for financing. However, subsequent to the district court's ruling, our sister circuit held that unfunded financing agreements are encompassed within the meaning of consummation under the Truth in Lending Act. See Nigh v. Koons Buick Pontiac GMC, Inc., 319 F.3d 119, 124 (4th Cir.2003), reversed on other grounds in Koons Buick Pontiac GMC, Inc. v. Nigh, --- U.S. ----, 125 S.Ct. 460, 160 L.Ed.2d 389 (2004). "In Nigh, the Fourth Circuit addressed the issue that we expressly declined to address in Jackson: whether a consumer's right of action may attach when only the consumer is contractually obligated." Jackson, 890 F.2d at 122, n.7.
We agree with the reasoning of the Fourth Circuit and, accordingly, reverse the judgment of the district court. We remand this case for consideration of the Plaintiffs' federal and state claims in accordance with this disposition.
REVERSED and REMANDED.