estoppel doctrine in Rhode Island

2010See Providence Teachers Union v. Providence School Board , 689 A.2d 388 , 391-92 (R.I. 1997); see also El Marocco Club, Inc. v. Richardson , 746 A.2d 1228 , 1233 , 1234 (R.I. 2000) (the key element of an estoppel is intentionally induced prejudicial reliance) (quoting East Greenwich Yacht Club v. Coastal Resources Management Council , 118 R.I. 559 , 568 , 376 A.2d 682 , 686 (1977)). *Page 20 Notwithstanding that Defendants may well be estopped from undoing the transactions that occurred in the past, the record in the instant case is devoid of any evidence from which a fact finder might draw an

2009Additionally, an estoppel claim requires two elements: “first, an affirmative representation * * * on the part of the person against whom the estoppel is claimed which is directed to another for the purpose of inducing the other to act or fail to act in reliance thereon; and secondly, that such representation or conduct in fact did induce the other to act or fail to act to his injury.” Providence Teachers Union v. Providence School Board, 689 A.2d 388, 391-92 (R.I.1997).

2009See Romano v. Retirement Board of the Employees’ Retirement System of Rhode Island, 767 A.2d 35, 39-40 (R.I.2001) (noting that estoppel does not apply when governmental officers act in conflict with state law); Technology Investors v. Town of Westerly, 689 A.2d 1060, 1062 (R.I.1997) (refusing to apply estoppel when municipality enacted an ordinance in clear contravention of state law).

1998The doctrine of estoppel, however, is not applicable when a municipality's acts are "ultra vires." Technology Investors , 689 A.2d at 1062 (doctrine of estoppel is not applicable where town enacted ordinance that was not consistent with a state statute.) But see , Fleet Constr.

2010Corso Excavating, Inc. v. Poulin , 747 A.2d 994 , 1001 (R.I. 2000) ("[N]otions of promissory estoppel that are routinely applied in private contractual contexts are ill-suited to public-contract-rights analysis."). *Page 30 Essentially, without actual authority, a promisee may not justifiably rely on the promise of a public official. "[A] person's failure to discover the true scope of a government agent's authority will not provide any grounds to relieve that person's detrimental reliance upon the agent's representations or actions." Romano , 767 A.2d at 43 (citations omitted); see also Waterm

2009See Romano v. Retirement Board of the Employees’ Retirement System of Rhode Island, 767 A.2d 35, 39-40 (R.I.2001) (noting that estoppel does not apply when governmental officers act in conflict with state law); Technology Investors v. Town of Westerly, 689 A.2d 1060, 1062 (R.I.1997) (refusing to apply estoppel when municipality enacted an ordinance in clear contravention of state law).

2010See Providence Teachers Union v. Providence School Board , 689 A.2d 388 , 391-92 (R.I. 1997); see also El Marocco Club, Inc. v. Richardson , 746 A.2d 1228 , 1233 , 1234 (R.I. 2000) (the key element of an estoppel is intentionally induced prejudicial reliance) (quoting East Greenwich Yacht Club v. Coastal Resources Management Council , 118 R.I. 559 , 568 , 376 A.2d 682 , 686 (1977)). *Page 20 Notwithstanding that Defendants may well be estopped from undoing the transactions that occurred in the past, the record in the instant case is devoid of any evidence from which a fact finder might draw an

2009See also El Morocco Club, Inc. v. Richardson, 746 A.2d 1228, 1233 (R.I.2000).

1999This type of relief is "extraordinary and will not be applied unless the equities clearly must be balanced in favor of the parties seeking relief under this doctrine." Greenwich Bay Yacht Basin Assoc. v. Brown, 537 A.2d 988 , 991 (R.I. 1988); See also Ocean Road Partners v. State , 612 A.2d 1107 , 1111 (R.I. 1992).

1999This type of relief is "extraordinary and will not be applied unless the equities clearly must be balanced in favor of the parties seeking relief under this doctrine." Greenwich Bay Yacht Basin Assoc. v. Brown, 537 A.2d 988 , 991 (R.I. 1988); See also Ocean Road Partners v. State , 612 A.2d 1107 , 1111 (R.I. 1992).

2005The estoppel doctrine may be "applied to a governmental authority when the equities are clearly balanced in favor of the party seeking relief under the doctrine and when compelling evidence warrants the doctrine's application." Fleet Construction Co. v. Town of North Smithfield, 713 A.2d 1241 , 1244 (R.I. 1988) citing Greenwich Bay Yacht Basin Associates v. Brown, 537 A.2d 988 , 991-92 (R.I. 1988).

1999This type of relief is "extraordinary and will not be applied unless the equities clearly must be balanced in favor of the parties seeking relief under this doctrine." Greenwich Bay Yacht Basin Assoc. v. Brown, 537 A.2d 988 , 991 (R.I. 1988); See also Ocean Road Partners v. State , 612 A.2d 1107 , 1111 (R.I. 1992).

2010Corso Excavating, Inc. v. Poulin , 747 A.2d 994 , 1001 (R.I. 2000) ("[N]otions of promissory estoppel that are routinely applied in private contractual contexts are ill-suited to public-contract-rights analysis."). *Page 30 Essentially, without actual authority, a promisee may not justifiably rely on the promise of a public official. "[A] person's failure to discover the true scope of a government agent's authority will not provide any grounds to relieve that person's detrimental reliance upon the agent's representations or actions." Romano , 767 A.2d at 43 (citations omitted); see also Waterm

2010Corso Excavating, Inc. v. Poulin , 747 A.2d 994 , 1001 (R.I. 2000) ("[N]otions of promissory estoppel that are routinely applied in private contractual contexts are ill-suited to public-contract-rights analysis."). *Page 30 Essentially, without actual authority, a promisee may not justifiably rely on the promise of a public official. "[A] person's failure to discover the true scope of a government agent's authority will not provide any grounds to relieve that person's detrimental reliance upon the agent's representations or actions." Romano , 767 A.2d at 43 (citations omitted); see also Waterm

2010See Providence Teachers Union v. Providence School Board , 689 A.2d 388 , 391-92 (R.I. 1997); see also El Marocco Club, Inc. v. Richardson , 746 A.2d 1228 , 1233 , 1234 (R.I. 2000) (the key element of an estoppel is intentionally induced prejudicial reliance) (quoting East Greenwich Yacht Club v. Coastal Resources Management Council , 118 R.I. 559 , 568 , 376 A.2d 682 , 686 (1977)). *Page 20 Notwithstanding that Defendants may well be estopped from undoing the transactions that occurred in the past, the record in the instant case is devoid of any evidence from which a fact finder might draw an

2010See Providence Teachers Union v. Providence School Board , 689 A.2d 388 , 391-92 (R.I. 1997); see also El Marocco Club, Inc. v. Richardson , 746 A.2d 1228 , 1233 , 1234 (R.I. 2000) (the key element of an estoppel is intentionally induced prejudicial reliance) (quoting East Greenwich Yacht Club v. Coastal Resources Management Council , 118 R.I. 559 , 568 , 376 A.2d 682 , 686 (1977)). *Page 20 Notwithstanding that Defendants may well be estopped from undoing the transactions that occurred in the past, the record in the instant case is devoid of any evidence from which a fact finder might draw an

2010Corso Excavating, Inc. v. Poulin , 747 A.2d 994 , 1001 (R.I. 2000) ("[N]otions of promissory estoppel that are routinely applied in private contractual contexts are ill-suited to public-contract-rights analysis."). *Page 30 Essentially, without actual authority, a promisee may not justifiably rely on the promise of a public official. "[A] person's failure to discover the true scope of a government agent's authority will not provide any grounds to relieve that person's detrimental reliance upon the agent's representations or actions." Romano , 767 A.2d at 43 (citations omitted); see also Waterm

2004See, e.g., Casa DiMario, Inc. v. Richardson, 763 A.2d 607 , 611 (R.I. 2000).

2000See Loiselle v. City of East Providence, 116 R.I. 585 , 359 A.2d 345 (1976) (court refused to enforce estoppel doctrine against city, even when city allowed two years to pass before enforcing six-month residency requirement, where there was no evidence to support plaintiff's contention that he had been denied employment opportunities because of his deferred entry into the job market and where plaintiff took no action to resolve his problem until three days before he was scheduled to be fired). 5 Notwithstanding considerations of equity, however, estoppel will not lie as against a municipality

2000See Loiselle v. City of East Providence, 116 R.I. 585 , 359 A.2d 345 (1976) (court refused to enforce estoppel doctrine against city, even when city allowed two years to pass before enforcing six-month residency requirement, where there was no evidence to support plaintiff's contention that he had been denied employment opportunities because of his deferred entry into the job market and where plaintiff took no action to resolve his problem until three days before he was scheduled to be fired). 5 Notwithstanding considerations of equity, however, estoppel will not lie as against a municipality

1998In Martinelli v. Travelers Insurance Companies, 687 A.2d 443, 447 (R.I.1996), we cited with approval the cases of Pedersen v. United Services Automobile Association, 383 N.W.2d 427, 430-31 (Minn.Ct.App.1986), and ABCD ...

1998In Martinelli v. Travelers Insurance Companies, 687 A.2d 443, 447 (R.I.1996), we cited with approval the cases of Pedersen v. United Services Automobile Association, 383 N.W.2d 427, 430-31 (Minn.Ct.App.1986), and ABCD ...

1998The plaintiffs misplaced reliance on the non-insurance case of Schiavulli v. School Committee of North Providence, 114 R.I. 443, 449-50 , 334 A.2d 416, 419 (1975). does not warrant deviation from the Martinelli rule. 2 For these reasons, we sustain Narragansett Bay’s appeal, reverse the trial court’s order denying Narragansett Bay’s motion for judgment as a matter of law on the estoppel claim, vacate the judgment, and remand the papers in this case for the entry of an amended judgment in favor of Narragansett Bay. 1 .

1998The plaintiffs misplaced reliance on the non-insurance case of Schiavulli v. School Committee of North Providence, 114 R.I. 443, 449-50 , 334 A.2d 416, 419 (1975). does not warrant deviation from the Martinelli rule. 2 For these reasons, we sustain Narragansett Bay’s appeal, reverse the trial court’s order denying Narragansett Bay’s motion for judgment as a matter of law on the estoppel claim, vacate the judgment, and remand the papers in this case for the entry of an amended judgment in favor of Narragansett Bay. 1 .

1975See Keene v. Harling, 36 Cal. Rptr. 98 , 106 (App. 1963), aff’d, 61 Cal.2d 318 , 392 P.2d 273 , 38 Cal. Rptr. 513 (1964); Von Walden v. Geddes, 105 Conn. 374, 377 , 135 A. 396, 397 (1926); Belle Isle Corp. v. Corcoran, 49 A.2d 1, 4 (Del. 1946); Commissioner of Banks v. Cosmopolitan Trust Co., 253 Mass. 205, 218 , 148 N. E. 609, 614 (1925); Seitz v. Michel, 148 Minn. 80, 84 , 181 N.W. 102, 104 (1921) ; Levin v. Levin, 253 App. Div. 758 , 300 N.Y.S. 1042 (1937); State v. Northwest Magnesite Co., 28 Wash.2d 1, 27-28 , 182 P.2d 643, 656-57 (1947).

1975See Keene v. Harling, 36 Cal. Rptr. 98 , 106 (App. 1963), aff’d, 61 Cal.2d 318 , 392 P.2d 273 , 38 Cal. Rptr. 513 (1964); Von Walden v. Geddes, 105 Conn. 374, 377 , 135 A. 396, 397 (1926); Belle Isle Corp. v. Corcoran, 49 A.2d 1, 4 (Del. 1946); Commissioner of Banks v. Cosmopolitan Trust Co., 253 Mass. 205, 218 , 148 N. E. 609, 614 (1925); Seitz v. Michel, 148 Minn. 80, 84 , 181 N.W. 102, 104 (1921) ; Levin v. Levin, 253 App. Div. 758 , 300 N.Y.S. 1042 (1937); State v. Northwest Magnesite Co., 28 Wash.2d 1, 27-28 , 182 P.2d 643, 656-57 (1947).

1975See Keene v. Harling, 36 Cal. Rptr. 98 , 106 (App. 1963), aff’d, 61 Cal.2d 318 , 392 P.2d 273 , 38 Cal. Rptr. 513 (1964); Von Walden v. Geddes, 105 Conn. 374, 377 , 135 A. 396, 397 (1926); Belle Isle Corp. v. Corcoran, 49 A.2d 1, 4 (Del. 1946); Commissioner of Banks v. Cosmopolitan Trust Co., 253 Mass. 205, 218 , 148 N. E. 609, 614 (1925); Seitz v. Michel, 148 Minn. 80, 84 , 181 N.W. 102, 104 (1921) ; Levin v. Levin, 253 App. Div. 758 , 300 N.Y.S. 1042 (1937); State v. Northwest Magnesite Co., 28 Wash.2d 1, 27-28 , 182 P.2d 643, 656-57 (1947).

1975See Keene v. Harling, 36 Cal. Rptr. 98 , 106 (App. 1963), aff’d, 61 Cal.2d 318 , 392 P.2d 273 , 38 Cal. Rptr. 513 (1964); Von Walden v. Geddes, 105 Conn. 374, 377 , 135 A. 396, 397 (1926); Belle Isle Corp. v. Corcoran, 49 A.2d 1, 4 (Del. 1946); Commissioner of Banks v. Cosmopolitan Trust Co., 253 Mass. 205, 218 , 148 N. E. 609, 614 (1925); Seitz v. Michel, 148 Minn. 80, 84 , 181 N.W. 102, 104 (1921) ; Levin v. Levin, 253 App. Div. 758 , 300 N.Y.S. 1042 (1937); State v. Northwest Magnesite Co., 28 Wash.2d 1, 27-28 , 182 P.2d 643, 656-57 (1947).

1975See Keene v. Harling, 36 Cal. Rptr. 98 , 106 (App. 1963), aff’d, 61 Cal.2d 318 , 392 P.2d 273 , 38 Cal. Rptr. 513 (1964); Von Walden v. Geddes, 105 Conn. 374, 377 , 135 A. 396, 397 (1926); Belle Isle Corp. v. Corcoran, 49 A.2d 1, 4 (Del. 1946); Commissioner of Banks v. Cosmopolitan Trust Co., 253 Mass. 205, 218 , 148 N. E. 609, 614 (1925); Seitz v. Michel, 148 Minn. 80, 84 , 181 N.W. 102, 104 (1921) ; Levin v. Levin, 253 App. Div. 758 , 300 N.Y.S. 1042 (1937); State v. Northwest Magnesite Co., 28 Wash.2d 1, 27-28 , 182 P.2d 643, 656-57 (1947).

1975See Keene v. Harling, 36 Cal. Rptr. 98 , 106 (App. 1963), aff’d, 61 Cal.2d 318 , 392 P.2d 273 , 38 Cal. Rptr. 513 (1964); Von Walden v. Geddes, 105 Conn. 374, 377 , 135 A. 396, 397 (1926); Belle Isle Corp. v. Corcoran, 49 A.2d 1, 4 (Del. 1946); Commissioner of Banks v. Cosmopolitan Trust Co., 253 Mass. 205, 218 , 148 N. E. 609, 614 (1925); Seitz v. Michel, 148 Minn. 80, 84 , 181 N.W. 102, 104 (1921) ; Levin v. Levin, 253 App. Div. 758 , 300 N.Y.S. 1042 (1937); State v. Northwest Magnesite Co., 28 Wash.2d 1, 27-28 , 182 P.2d 643, 656-57 (1947).

1975See Keene v. Harling, 36 Cal. Rptr. 98 , 106 (App. 1963), aff’d, 61 Cal.2d 318 , 392 P.2d 273 , 38 Cal. Rptr. 513 (1964); Von Walden v. Geddes, 105 Conn. 374, 377 , 135 A. 396, 397 (1926); Belle Isle Corp. v. Corcoran, 49 A.2d 1, 4 (Del. 1946); Commissioner of Banks v. Cosmopolitan Trust Co., 253 Mass. 205, 218 , 148 N. E. 609, 614 (1925); Seitz v. Michel, 148 Minn. 80, 84 , 181 N.W. 102, 104 (1921) ; Levin v. Levin, 253 App. Div. 758 , 300 N.Y.S. 1042 (1937); State v. Northwest Magnesite Co., 28 Wash.2d 1, 27-28 , 182 P.2d 643, 656-57 (1947).

1975See Keene v. Harling, 36 Cal. Rptr. 98 , 106 (App. 1963), aff’d, 61 Cal.2d 318 , 392 P.2d 273 , 38 Cal. Rptr. 513 (1964); Von Walden v. Geddes, 105 Conn. 374, 377 , 135 A. 396, 397 (1926); Belle Isle Corp. v. Corcoran, 49 A.2d 1, 4 (Del. 1946); Commissioner of Banks v. Cosmopolitan Trust Co., 253 Mass. 205, 218 , 148 N. E. 609, 614 (1925); Seitz v. Michel, 148 Minn. 80, 84 , 181 N.W. 102, 104 (1921) ; Levin v. Levin, 253 App. Div. 758 , 300 N.Y.S. 1042 (1937); State v. Northwest Magnesite Co., 28 Wash.2d 1, 27-28 , 182 P.2d 643, 656-57 (1947).

1975See Keene v. Harling, 36 Cal. Rptr. 98 , 106 (App. 1963), aff’d, 61 Cal.2d 318 , 392 P.2d 273 , 38 Cal. Rptr. 513 (1964); Von Walden v. Geddes, 105 Conn. 374, 377 , 135 A. 396, 397 (1926); Belle Isle Corp. v. Corcoran, 49 A.2d 1, 4 (Del. 1946); Commissioner of Banks v. Cosmopolitan Trust Co., 253 Mass. 205, 218 , 148 N. E. 609, 614 (1925); Seitz v. Michel, 148 Minn. 80, 84 , 181 N.W. 102, 104 (1921) ; Levin v. Levin, 253 App. Div. 758 , 300 N.Y.S. 1042 (1937); State v. Northwest Magnesite Co., 28 Wash.2d 1, 27-28 , 182 P.2d 643, 656-57 (1947).

1975See Keene v. Harling, 36 Cal. Rptr. 98 , 106 (App. 1963), aff’d, 61 Cal.2d 318 , 392 P.2d 273 , 38 Cal. Rptr. 513 (1964); Von Walden v. Geddes, 105 Conn. 374, 377 , 135 A. 396, 397 (1926); Belle Isle Corp. v. Corcoran, 49 A.2d 1, 4 (Del. 1946); Commissioner of Banks v. Cosmopolitan Trust Co., 253 Mass. 205, 218 , 148 N. E. 609, 614 (1925); Seitz v. Michel, 148 Minn. 80, 84 , 181 N.W. 102, 104 (1921) ; Levin v. Levin, 253 App. Div. 758 , 300 N.Y.S. 1042 (1937); State v. Northwest Magnesite Co., 28 Wash.2d 1, 27-28 , 182 P.2d 643, 656-57 (1947).

1975See Keene v. Harling, 36 Cal. Rptr. 98 , 106 (App. 1963), aff’d, 61 Cal.2d 318 , 392 P.2d 273 , 38 Cal. Rptr. 513 (1964); Von Walden v. Geddes, 105 Conn. 374, 377 , 135 A. 396, 397 (1926); Belle Isle Corp. v. Corcoran, 49 A.2d 1, 4 (Del. 1946); Commissioner of Banks v. Cosmopolitan Trust Co., 253 Mass. 205, 218 , 148 N. E. 609, 614 (1925); Seitz v. Michel, 148 Minn. 80, 84 , 181 N.W. 102, 104 (1921) ; Levin v. Levin, 253 App. Div. 758 , 300 N.Y.S. 1042 (1937); State v. Northwest Magnesite Co., 28 Wash.2d 1, 27-28 , 182 P.2d 643, 656-57 (1947).