1. Pleading — Sufficiency
A pleading is sufficient if it gives fair notice of the claim and the grounds upon which it rests. V.R.C.P. 8(a).
2. Pleading — Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings — Tests and Standards
On a motion for judgment on the pleadings the issue is whether movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law on the basis of the pleadings. V.R.C.P. 12(c).
3. Pleading — Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings — Tests and Standards
For purposes of a motion for judgment on the pleadings, all well-pleaded factual allegations in the nonmovant's pleadings and all reasonable inferences that can be drawn therefrom are assumed to be true and all contravening assertions in the movant's pleadings are taken to be false. V.R.C.P. 12(c).
4. Brokers — Broker's Rights and Duties — Causes of Action
Claim that real estate appraiser was plaintiffs' employee, hired by an agent of plaintiffs, that in performing his duties he failed to report certain defects he should have reported, and that as a result of such alleged negligence plaintiffs, who purchased the property in reliance on the appraisal, were damaged, stated a claim upon which relief could be granted, and it was error to grant motion to dismiss on the pleadings. V.R.C.P. 8(a), 12(c).
Per Curiam.
The plaintiffs brought an action in the Chittenden Superior Court against the defendant Keller, a real estate appraiser, and the defendant corporation, Keller, Navin Creamer, Inc. The plaintiffs alleged that their agent, the Burlington Savings Bank, employed the defendants to appraise certain residential property, that the defendants failed to report structural defects in the foundation of the property, and that the plaintiffs purchased the property in reliance on the appraisal. The defendants denied the allegation and moved to dismiss the complaint for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. V.R.C.P. 12(c). The trial court granted the motion and plaintiffs appeal. Subsequent to the filing of the appeal the parties stipulated to the dismissal of the corporate defendant as a party.
V.R.C.P. 8(a) provides that a claim for relief shall contain a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the plaintiff is entitled to relief, and a demand for judgment for the relief to which he deems himself entitled. A pleading is sufficient if it gives fair notice of the claim and the grounds upon which it rests. Mancini v. Mancini, 136 Vt. 231, 234, 388 A.2d 414, 416 (1978); 2A Moore's Federal Practice ¶ 8.13 (2d ed. 1980). On a motion for judgment on the pleadings, V.R.C.P. 12(c), the issue is whether the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law on the basis of the pleadings. Reynolds v. Sullivan, 136 Vt. 1, 3, 383 A.2d 609, 611 (1978). For the purposes of the motion all well pleaded factual allegations in the nonmovant's pleadings and all reasonable inferences that can be drawn therefrom are assumed to be true and all contravening assertions in the movant's pleadings are taken to be false. Reynolds v. Sullivan, supra; 5 C. Wright A. Miller ¶ 1368, at 691 (1969). Considering the plaintiffs' factual allegations and the reasonable inferences that may be drawn from them, their claim is that the defendant was the plaintiffs' employee, hired by an agent, and that in performing his duties he failed to report certain defects he should have reported, and as a result of this alleged negligence plaintiffs were damaged. This is an adequate complaint under V.R.C.P. 8(a). The trial court was in error in granting the motion to dismiss on the pleadings.
Reversed and remanded.