Summary
concluding that order denying motion for relief from judgment entered pursuant to confession of judgment is analogous to order denying motion to vacate default judgment
Summary of this case from American Summit Lending Corp. v. HennenOpinion
No. C4-89-1454.
September 26, 1989.
Appeal from the District Court, Hennepin County, H. Peter Albrecht, J.
Andrew Mitchell, Larkin, Hoffman, Daly Lindgren, Bloomington, for appellant.
Steven Hedges, Abdo Abdo, Minneapolis, for respondents.
Considered at Special Term and decided by WOZNIAK, C.J., and NORTON and GARDEBRING, JJ., without oral argument.
SPECIAL TERM OPINION
FACTS
Appellant Shelter Shield allegedly failed to fulfill its obligations under a settlement agreement, and judgment was entered in 1987 pursuant to a confession of judgment. Shelter Shield did not participate in the proceedings leading to entry of judgment. More than two years later, Shelter Shield sought relief from the judgment under Minn.R.Civ.P. 60.02. The trial court ruled that failure to seek relief within one year of the judgment barred the motion. Shelter Shield appealed from that order. Respondents move to dismiss, claiming the order is not appealable.
DECISION
As a general rule, orders denying motions to vacate final judgments are not appealable. Angelos v. Angelos, 367 N.W.2d 518, 519 (Minn. 1985). The proper appeal is from the judgment itself. However, the supreme court has held that "the critical factor" which makes the denial of some motions to vacate appealable, "is whether defendant participated in the original action so that an appeal from the judgment would also raise the propriety of its vacation." Spicer v. Carefree Vacations, Inc., 370 N.W.2d 424, 425 (Minn. 1985) (citations omitted). If the defendant did not participate in the proceeding, an appeal from the default judgment would generally present no issue for appellate review.
Shelter Shield did not participate in the proceedings leading to entry of judgment in this case. The fact that Shelter Shield had notice and could have participated before judgment was entered is irrelevant. Id. ("The appealability of an order refusing to vacate a default judgment does not depend on whether a defendant had actual knowledge of the suit before the time to appeal from the judgment has expired.") The order denying relief from the judgment is appealable under Minn. R. Civ. App. P. 103.03(e). Id. at 426.
Motion to dismiss denied.