Thursday, April 23, 2009

Second Circuit: Unrepresented non-attorney may not sue on behalf of another

The Second Circuit ruled today that under federal law an unrepresented non-attorney may not sue on behalf of another person as guardian ad litem. But the Court vacated a district court ruling dismissing sua sponte the claim brought by the purported guardian on behalf of the other person because the other person was not properly represented. That is, a district court may not rule on the merits of a claim brought on behalf of someone by a non-attorney until an opportunity has been provided to the plaintiff to retain an attorney to represent the party on whose behalf the action was brought.

The case is Berrios v. NYC Housing Authority, No. 08-4832-cv (2d Cir. Apr. 23, 2009)

Monday, January 19, 2009

federal District Court for VT remands removed diversity case

A defendant may remove a case from state court based on diversity of citizenship only if the complaint, notice of removal, or other evidence in the record provides “concrete information” that “the potential value of Plaintiff's claims” exceeds the amount in controversy required by 28 U.S.C. § 1332. Palmermo v. Fidelity & Guar. Ins. Co., 2009 WL 88340 (D.Vt. Jan. 12, 2009). This was a bad faith claim against a workers’ compensation insurer. Since the insurer failed to provide the required evidence re: amount in controversy, the court remanded the case to the state court in which plaintiff filed it.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Second Circuit Rules on Scope of Arbitrators' Subpoena Power Re Non-parties to Arbitration Proceeding

Section 7 of the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. § 7, “does not enable arbitrators to issue pre-hearing document subpoenas to entities not parties to the arbitration proceeding.”

Life Receivables Trust v. Syndicate 102 at Lloyd’s of London, 07-1197-cv (2d Cir. Nov. 25, 2008)

Thursday, November 13, 2008

"Romanette": I didn't know either Mr. Chief Justice

From Legal Times:

November 10, 2008

Assistant to SG Teaches Chief Justice a New Word

Today's oral argument in United States v. Hayes was dense with debate over rules of grammar and statutory interpretation, all aimed at figuring out what Congress meant when it passed a statute in 1996 that expanded the scope of a law that makes it a crime for those convicted of felonies to possess a firearm. Just how far the new law went to include those convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors was the subject of the day, and by the end of the hour it was harder to predict the outcome than it was at the beginning.

One bright spot in the colloquy came during Assistant to the Solicitor General Nicole Saharsky's defense of an expansive view of the law. In discussing the statute at issue, 18 U.S.C. 922 (a)(33)(A)(i) and (ii), justices had been referring, awkwardly, to sections "little eye" and "little eye eye." But Saharsky had a far better way. She called them "Romanette one and two," using an obscure but self-explaining and almost whimsical term for a lower-case Roman numeral.

"Romanette?" asked Chief Justice John Roberts quizzically.

"Oh, little Roman numeral," Saharsky replied offhandedly. No biggie.

"I've never heard that before!" said Roberts. "That's ... Romanette."

In all his days in the solicitor general's office and in private practice, Roberts had apparently never run across the term. The audience laughed -- including many, to be sure, who had never heard the word before themselves. Chief justices, along with everyone else, can learn something new every day.

http://legaltimes.typepad.com/blt/2008/11/assistant-to-sg-teaches-chief-justice-a-new-word.html

Friday, September 12, 2008

VSC: When defendant appears, Superior Court may not enter judgment by default w/o holding a hearing

In Housing Foundation, Inc. v. Beagle, No. 2007-474 (unpublished entry order by three-justice panel), the Vermont Supreme Court reversed a default judgment entered by the superior court. The Court ruled that since defendant had “appeared” in the case, default judgment was available only after a hearing. Since the superior court did not hold a hearing, the court abused its discretion by entering judgment by default.

V.R.C.P. 55(b)(4) provides “if the party against whom judgment by default is sought has appeared in the action judgment may be entered after hearing, upon at least 3 days’ written notice served by the clerk.” Plaintiff did not dispute that defendant appeared in the case. The Supreme Court agreed that by filing an answer (albeit one day late), and subsequent other motions and responses, the defendant had “appeared” for purposes of Rule 55(b)(4). The Supreme Court ruled that under Rule 55(b)(4), a hearing was mandatory, not merely discretionary. The superior court, therefore, abused its discretion by entering default judgment without a hearing.

In concluding that the defendant had appeared in the case, the Supreme Court cited out-of-state authority. But it did not cite V.R.C.P. 79.1(b), which provides “[A]n attorney’s signature to a pleading shall constitute an appearance.” Although defendant may not have been represented by an attorney, her signature on an answer arguably constituted an appearance under this rule. An answer to a complaint is a “pleading” for purposes of the Vermont Rules of Civil Procedure. See V.R.C.P. 7(a) (specifying “pleadings” under the Rules). As used in the Vermont Rules of Civil Procedure, “The term ‘plaintiff's attorney’ or ‘defendant’s attorney’ or any like term shall include the party appearing without counsel.” Thus, a pro se defendant’s signature on an answer arguably constitutes an appearance within the meaning of Rule 79.1(b).

VSC: superior court may enter SJ w/o written decision; court did not err in refusing to issue findings of fact

In Pietrangelo v. AMI-Burlington Inc. No. 2008-115 (unpublished), the Court stated:

On appeal, plaintiff first argues that the superior court erred in granting defendants summary judgment without issuing an opinion with findings of fact and conclusions of law. We conclude there was no procedural error in the court’s decision. Rule 56 allows the court to enter “judgment as a matter of law” on behalf of a party when the record demonstrates that “there is no genuine issue as to any material fact”; however, the Rule does not require the court to issue a written decision. V.R.C.P. 56(c)(3). Indeed, we have explained that “[w]hile a trial court’s recitation of the undisputed facts is often helpful for appellate review of a grant of summary judgment, they are not necessary.” Blake v. Nationwide Ins. Co., 2006 VT 48, ¶ 21, 180 Vt. 14.

We are not persuaded by plaintiff’s argument that his request for findings required the court to issue written findings. Rule 52 states:

In all determinations of motions in which (a) the decision of the court is based upon a contested issue of fact, (b) the decision is or could be dispositive of a claim or action, and (c) a party has, within five days of the notice of decision, requested findings of fact and conclusions of law, the court shall, on the record or in writing, find the facts and state its conclusions of law.

V.R.C.P. 52(a)(3). Although plaintiff requested findings and the decision on summary judgment was dispositive of plaintiff’s claims, a motion for summary judgment is not a decision “based upon a contested issue of fact.” Id. “It is not the function of the trial court to find facts on a motion for summary judgment, even if the record appears to lean strongly in one direction.” Fritzeen v. Trudell Consulting Eng’rs, Inc., 170 Vt. 632, 633 (2000). Thus, we conclude that the court did not err in issuing its decision on summary judgment without findings.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

VSC: Vermont adopts "Time on the Risk" in Long-Tail Cases

Environmental Claims

8/25/2008 8:54:29 PM EST

Vermont Joins Other Northeastern States, Adopts “Time on the Risk” Approach in Long-Tail Cases

Posted by Michael Aylward

See http://law.lexisnexis.com/practiceareas/Insurance-Law-Blog/Insurance/Vermont-Joins-Other-Northeastern-States-Adopts-Time-on-the-Risk-Approach-in-Long-Tail-Cases