Notes of Decisions
Where Oregon law not Washington Deadman’s Statute governed admissibility of testimony in interpleader action brought by insurance company in district of Oregon, testimony of insured’s widow and insurance agent was admissible to determine beneficiary. Equitable Life Assur. Soc. of the U.S. v. McKay, 861 F2d 221 (9th Cir. 1988)
Chapter 28
Notes of Decisions
Declaratory judgment proceedings to determine coverage under insurance policies are legal in nature. Hartford v. Aetna/Mt. Hood Radio, 270 Or 226, 527 P2d 406 (1974)
Declaratory judgment proceedings will be treated as either legal or equitable, depending upon the essential nature of the case. Intl. Health and Life Ins. Co. v. Lewis, 271 Or 35, 530 P2d 517 (1975)
Where complaint in declaratory judgment proceeding sufficiently alleged justiciable controversy, it was error to grant motion to dismiss for failure to state claim. Hupp v. Schumacher, 29 Or App 9, 562 P2d 217 (1977); Goose Hollow v. City of Portland, 58 Or App 722, 650 P2d 135 (1982)
Where a case sounds in law, an appellate court is precluded from testing the weight of evidence but rather to see if evidence exists from which the trier of fact could have drawn particular conclusions of fact. Lindsey v. Dairyland Ins. Co., 278 Or 681, 565 P2d 744 (1977)
The insurer was found not obligated to pay a proportionate share of the attorney fees of the insured incurred in the settlement of the personal injury action. Lindsey v. Dairyland Ins. Co., 278 Or 681, 565 P2d 744 (1977)
Where students at college administered by Oregon State Board of Higher Education sought review of course grades through college grievance procedures, judicial review was properly under ORS 183.490 (Agency may be compelled to act) and not declaratory judgment provisions of this chapter. McBeth v. Elliott, 42 Or App 783, 601 P2d 871 (1979)
Declaratory judgment proceeding filed by insured to determine its rights under an insurance policy insuring against loss or damage to property in its custody did not present a justiciable controversy. Mitchell Bros. Truck Lines v. Lexington Ins. Co., 287 Or 217, 598 P2d 294 (1979)
Challenging Board of Parole’s refusal to set release date through declaratory judgment was not proper as special statutory remedy under ORS 144.335 (Appeal from order of board to Court of Appeals) was available. Sterling v. Blalock, 47 Or App 275, 614 P2d 610 (1980)
City council’s removal of plaintiff as city attorney was quasi-judicial proceeding, so proper appeal to circuit court was by way of writ of review and not declaratory judgment. Jordan v. City Council of Lake Oswego, 49 Or App 31, 618 P2d 1298 (1980), Sup Ct review denied
Where appraisal process pursuant to [former] ORS 743.648 had been initiated, declaratory judgment action to construe policy provisions could not be commenced until appraisal was completed. Director v. So. Carolina Ins. Co., 49 Or App 179, 619 P2d 649 (1980), Sup Ct review denied
Circuit court had authority to determine whether Attorney General had statutory duty, but lacked authority to determine whether exercise of duty would violate attorney disciplinary rules. Brown v. Oregon State Bar, 293 Or 446, 648 P2d 1289 (1982)
Action seeking construction of liability policy where there were legitimate questions of coverage or noncoverage arising under policy issued for protection of the insured against claims of third persons sustaining injury or damage presented justiciable controversy appropriate for declaratory judgment. State Farm Fire & Cas. Co. v. Reuter, 294 Or 446, 657 P2d 1231 (1983)
Plaintiff’s challenge to county charter failed to state justiciable claim because plaintiff only named sponsor of initiative as defendant. Hudson v. Feder, 115 Or App 1, 836 P2d 779 (1992), Sup Ct review denied
Law Review Citations
10 WLJ 370 (1974); 15 EL 244 (1985)