Polynesian Airlines v. E.P.S., Inc.
Polynesian Airlines v. E.P.S., Inc.
Opinion of the Court
Order Denying Motion for Summary Judgment:
I. History
The motion by plaintiff Polynesian Airlines ("Polynesian") for summary judgment against defendants E.P.S., Inc., dba CDI Travel and Tours, and Elaine Prescott Singh (collectively "CDI") came regularly for hearing on December 7, 1994. Counsel for both parties were present.
CDI purchased several airline tickets from Polynesian, using CDI company checks. Five of these checks, in the aggregate amount of $8,632.73, were returned unpaid for insufficient funds. It is unclear whether Polynesian made demands for the payment of this debt prior to the filing of this complaint. Polynesian has been withholding CDI's commissions and applying them against the debt, and claims that the debt is presently $7,541.25.
CDI does not dispute the facts which gave rise to the debt, but claims that the $7,541.25 figure does not reflect the current amount of the obligation.
II. Standard of Review
Summary judgment is appropriate where there is no issue with respect to any material fact, and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. T.C.R.C.P. 56. It may be invoked only when "no genuine issue as to any material fact" exists. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, 477 U.S. 242, 247-250 (1986); Celotex v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322-24 (1986). To determine that no material fact exists, the facts must be "beyond dispute," even though the non-moving party's factual assertions, supported by discovery material are presumed to be true, and that all inferences are construed in a light most favorable to the non-moving party. Ah Mai v. American Samoa Government, 11 A.S.R.2d 133, 136 (Trial Div. 1989); see Lokan v. Lokan, 6 A.S.R.2d 44, 46 (Trial Div. 1987); U.S. v. Diebold, 369 U.S. 654 (1962).
III. Discussion
The parties agree that they mutually assented to the arrangement whereby Polynesian applies CDI's commissions for the sale of airline tickets against the amount of CDI's debt to Polynesian. There is dispute as to the amount by which CDI's commissions have reduced its debt to Polynesian. CDI claims, by affidavit, that it has commissions in excess of $2,000.00. Polynesian, however, credits CDI with only $1,091.48 in debt reduction due to commissions retained by Polynesian.
CDI asserts that it entered into a verbal agreement
Taking CDI's rendition of the facts to be true, and construing them in a ‘ light most favorable to CDI, we are unable to grant Polynesian summary judgment in the amount of $7,541.25, as a matter of law. Accordingly, we deny Polynesian's motion.
It is so ordered.
There may be an issue of whether the alleged agreement is enforceable in view of the statute of frauds. A.S.C.A. § 27.1530 et seq. Since this issue has not been raised by Polynesian, we express no opinion regarding it.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.