Frame v. Hunter, MacLean, Exley & Dunn, P.C.
Frame v. Hunter, MacLean, Exley & Dunn, P.C.
Opinion of the Court
In Frame v. Hunter, Maclean, Exley & Dunn, P.C., 227 Ga. App. 169 (488 SE2d 713), we reversed the trial court’s grant of summary judgment in this legal malpractice action, holding that Hunter, Maclean, Exley & Dunn, P.C.’s (“the firm”) continued relationship after withdrawing as Christopher Frame’s and Rosemary Frame’s long-time family lawyer, while assuring the Frames that they would not suffer damages as a result of the firm’s alleged malpractice, would authorize a finding that the statute of limitation was tolled. Id. at 171 (1), supra. The Supreme Court of Georgia granted certiorari and reversed our decision in Hunter, Maclean, Exley & Dunn, P.C. v. Frame, 269 Ga. 844, 851 (2) (507 SE2d 411) directing that, “[o]n remand, the Court of Appeals [of Georgia] may consider justiciable issues previously raised, but not decided, in that Court.” Id. Accordingly, our judgment in the case sub judice is vacated and the judgment of the Supreme Court of Georgia is hereby made the judg
Before the applicable statute of limitation on the Frames’ malpractice claim expired on April 24, 1993, the firm executed a written tolling agreement extending this limitation period to April 24, 1994.
Citing Gen. Communications Svc. v. Ga. Pub. Svc. Comm., 149 Ga. App. 466 (254 SE2d 710), affirmed in Ga. Pub. Svc. Comm. v. Gen. Communications Svc., 244 Ga. 855 (262 SE2d 96), the Frames contend their detrimental reliance on the alleged verbal tolling agreement compels enforcement of the understanding. We do not agree.
In Gen. Communications, this Court held that detrimental reliance on a verbal understanding between counsel may equitably preclude OCGA § 15-19-5’s requirement that such agreements be made in writing. But unlike the circumstances in Gen. Communications, the alleged verbal tolling agreement in the case sub judice was reduced to writing. The controlling issue, then, is whether this writing is subject to reformation based on the Frames’ assertion that a “mutual mistake” caused the second written tolling agreement not to reflect the parties verbal understanding that the statute of limitation would be extended to October 1, 1994.
“ A mistake relievable in equity is some unintentional act, omission, or error arising from ignorance, surprise, imposition, or misplaced confidence.’ OCGA § 23-2-21. Where reformation is sought on the ground of mutual mistake, it must, of course, be proved to be the mistake of both parties. Layfield v. Sanford, 247 Ga. 92, 93 (274 SE2d 450) (1981). We have examined the record in [the case sub
Judgment affirmed.
It is undisputed that this agreement mistakenly designates April 24, 1993, as the statute of limitation extension date.
Concurring Opinion
concurring specially.
Although I do not concur in the analysis, I concur in the judgment because the issue the court decides is moot insofar as this Court’s jurisdiction is concerned. The Supreme Court of Georgia, in reversing this Court, states at the end of its opinion that “[the statute of limitation] was tolled until April 23, 1994, by the written tolling agreement.” Hunter, Maclean, Exley & Dunn, P. C. v. Frame, 269 Ga. 844, 851 (507 SE2d 411) (1998). The Supreme Court did not leave open the possibility that the agreement was subject to reformation to add a further extension to October 1 due to mutual mistake. As pointed out by it, the action was not filed until September 26. The Court held that the action was accordingly time barred. That forecloses the farther consideration of the contention that what was in fact intended by the parties was an extension to October 1.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- FRAME Et Al. v. HUNTER, MACLEAN, EXLEY & DUNN, P.C.
- Cited By
- 5 cases
- Status
- Published