Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679 (Del. 1979). · Go Syfert
Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679 (Del. 1979). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
887 citation events (823 in the last 25 years) across 5 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Mark III Media, Inc. v. Big Horn Television LLC (delsuperct, 2026-02-27)
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Top citers, strongest first. 50 distinct citers.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Mark III Media, Inc. v. Big Horn Television LLC
Del. Super. Ct. · 2026 · confidence medium
R. 56(c)). 42 Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979). 43 Del.
cited Cited as authority (rule) James Willey v. Phoenix Rehabilitation and Health Services, Inc.
Del. Super. Ct. · 2026 · confidence medium
Oct. 31, 2023) (quoting Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 681 (Del. 1979)). 29 Id. 30 Marcolini, 2023 WL 111060 , at * 2 (quoting Brzoska v. Olson, 668 A.2d 1355, 1364 (Del. 1995)). 6 D.
cited Cited as authority (rule) A&D Complete Services & Landscaping, LLC v. Horsepower Property Maintenance LLC
Del. Super. Ct. · 2026 · confidence medium
The application, 28 Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979). 29 Merrill, 606 A.2d 96 , 99–100. 30 See United Health Alliance, LLC v. United Medical, LLC, 2014 WL 6488659 , at *3 (Del.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Shawn R. Kelz and Danielle Kelz v. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Ricky Castagnaro
Del. Super. Ct. · 2026 · confidence medium
R. 56; Merrill v. Crothall-American, Inc., 606 A.2d 96 , 99–100 (Del. 1992). 43 Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979). 12 light most favorable to the nonmoving party, drawing all reasonable inferences in its favor.44 30.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Hartree Natural Gas Storage, LLC v. AIG Specialty Insurance Company
Del. Super. Ct. · 2025 · confidence medium
Ct. Nov. 30, 2021). 35 Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979) (citing Ebersole v. Lowengrub, 180 A.2d 467, 470 (Del. 1962)). 36 Del.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Navaretta v. Duong
Del. Super. Ct. · 2025 · confidence medium
R. 56(c). 33 Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 681 (Del. 1979) (citations omitted). 34 See Ebersole v. Lowengrub, 180 A.2d 467, 470 (Del. 1962). 35 See D.I. 168. 7 turn lane at the intersection where Navaretta was killed, breaching the ministerial duty to maintain safe public roadways. 3635F The State of Delaware contends sovereign immunity bars Plaintiffs’ claims because it has neither consented to the suit, nor has immunity been waived. 37 The 36F State argues that because no contract of insurance has been undertaken to cover the risk of loss here, immunity has not been waived.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Hsu v. Trinidad Navarro
Del. Super. Ct. · 2025 · confidence medium
R. 56(c). 19 Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979). 20 Jackson v. State, 2000 WL 33115718 , *1 (Del.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Fardjallah v. Christiana Hospital
Del. Super. Ct. · 2025 · confidence medium
Co., 403 A.2d 1114, 1115 (Del. 1979). 23 Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 681 (Del. 1979). 4 or her case for which he bears the burden.24 In other words, a plaintiff must identify sufficient evidence in the summary judgment record to support those essential elements.25 DISCUSSION To sustain a medical negligence claim in Delaware, a plaintiff must demonstrate by a preponderance of the evidence that a medical provider breached the standard of care, the breach proximately caused harm to the plaintiff, and the plaintiff suffered harm.26 Furthermore, the Delaware Medical Negligence Act requires a p…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Rogerson v. Delaware Surgical Group, P.A.
Del. Super. Ct. · 2025 · confidence medium
R. 56(c). 36 Id. citing GMG Insurance Agency v. Edelstein, 328 A.3d. at 309. 37 Motorola, Inc. v. Amkor Technology, 849 A.2d 931, 936 (Del. 2004) citing Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979); Ebersole v. Lowengrub, 180 A.2d 467, 470 (Del. 1962). 38 2001 WL 1456656 (Del.
cited Cited as authority (rule) McNatt v. Moore
Del. Super. Ct. · 2025 · confidence medium
June 23, 2017) (citing Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979)). 19 Id. (citing Moore, 405 A.2d at 681 ). 20 State Farm Mut.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Freedom Mortgage Corporation v. Rayfield
Del. Super. Ct. · 2025 · confidence medium
Ct. 2015), aff'd, 140 A.3d 431 (Del. 2016) (quoting Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del.1979). 33 Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d at 681 . 34 Brzoska v. Olson, 668 A.2d 1355, 1364 (Del. 1995). 35 Super.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Gilbert v. Santiago
Del. Super. Ct. · 2025 · confidence medium
Ms. Cravens seeks compensation for (1) the value of services John performed on a rental property shared by John and Ms. Cravens; (2) half the cost of a family crypt Ms. Cravens purchased that she contends John agreed to contribute to before his 20 Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979) (citing Ebersole v. Lowengrub, 180 A.2d 467 (1962)). 21 Id. 22 Id. at 679. 23 Connolly v. Theta Chi Fraternity, Inc., 2018 WL 1137587 , at *3 (Del.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Antoine Landing v. Builders FirstSource, Inc.
Del. Super. Ct. · 2025 · confidence medium
Ct. 2015), aff'd, 140 A.3d 431 (Del. 2016) (quoting Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del.1979). 20 Sizemore, 405 A.2d at 681 .
cited Cited as authority (rule) Rich v. University of Delaware
Del. Super. Ct. · 2025 · confidence medium
Ct. Nov. 30, 2021). 46 Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. v. Illinois National Insurance Company
Del. Super. Ct. · 2025 · confidence medium
R. 56(c). 28 Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979). 29 Brzoska v. Olson, 668 A.2d 1355, 1364 (Del. 1995) (citing Moore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 ). 30 Brzoska, 668 A.2d at 1364 (citing Wootten v. Kiger, 226 A.2d 238 (Del.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC v. Sumwabe
Del. Super. Ct. · 2025 · confidence medium
June 23, 2017) (citing Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979)). 37 Id. (citing Moore, 405 A.2d at 681 ). 38 Banning, 2021 WL 212750 , at *4 (citing Kennedy v. Giannone, 527 A.2d 732 , 1987 WL 37799 , at *1 (Del.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC v. Sonus Networks, Inc.
Del. Super. Ct. · 2025 · confidence medium
Feb. 22, 1990) (citing Ebersole, 180 A.2d at 467 ) (“Summary judgment will not be granted under any circumstances when the record indicates . . . that it is desirable to inquire more thoroughly into the facts in order to clarify the application of law to the circumstances.”). 6 See Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1970) (citing Ebersole, 180 A.2d at 470 ). 7 See Brzoska v. Olsen, 668 A.2d 1355, 1364 (Del. 1995). 8 IDT Corp. v. U.S. Specialty Ins.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Aikens v. Delaware Transit Corporation
Del. Super. Ct. · 2025 · confidence medium
Ct. 2015), aff'd, 140 A.3d 431 (Del. 2016) (quoting Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del.1979). 25 Sizemore, 405 A.2d at 681 . 26 Brzoska v. Olson, 668 A.2d 1355, 1364 (Del. 1995). 27 Super.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In re Coral Gables Luxury Holdings, a Delaware limited liability company
Del. Ch. · 2025 · confidence medium
The Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (the “LLC Act”) grants members of an LLC “the statutory freedom . . . to shape, by contract, their own approach to common business relationship problems.”52 In resolving governance disputes in the LLC context, the court first looks to the rights and obligations as set forth in “the parties’ bargained-for operating agreement.”53 Delaware courts interpret LLC agreements like other contracts—objectively, giving “priority to the parties’ intentions as reflected in the four corners of the agreement, construing the agreement as a whole a…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Cercacor Laboratories, Inc. v. Metronom Health, Inc.
Del. Super. Ct. · 2025 · confidence medium
Ct. Oct. 28, 2020). 62 Telxon Corp. v. Meyerson, 802 A.2d 257, 262 (Del. 2002). 63 Judah v. Delaware Trust Co., 378 A.2d 624, 632 (Del. 1977) (internal citations omitted). 64 Radulski, 2020 WL 8676027 , at *3 (citing Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979)). -9- party to show that there are material issues of fact.”65 IV.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Cercacor Laboratories, Inc. v. Metronom Health, Inc.
Del. Super. Ct. · 2025 · confidence medium
Ct. Oct. 28, 2020). 62 Telxon Corp. v. Meyerson, 802 A.2d 257, 262 (Del. 2002). 63 Judah v. Delaware Trust Co., 378 A.2d 624, 632 (Del. 1977) (internal citations omitted). 64 Radulski, 2020 WL 8676027 , at *3 (citing Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979)). -9- party to show that there are material issues of fact.”65 IV.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Troy Ventures, LLC v. Mark Kosloski
Del. Super. Ct. · 2025 · confidence medium
R. 56(c). 38 Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979). 39 Brzoska v. Olson, 668 A.2d 1355, 1364 (Del. 1995) (citing Moore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 ). 40 Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC v. HSBC Bank USA, 2014 WL 3058230 , at *2 (Del.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) US Dominion, US v. Newsmax Media, Inc.
Del. Super. Ct. · 2025 · confidence medium
Feb. 22, 1990) (citing Ebersole, 180 A.2d at 467 ) (“Summary judgment will not be granted under any circumstances when the record indicates … that it is desirable to inquire more thoroughly into the facts in order to clarify the application of law to the circumstances.”). 180 Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1970) (citing Ebersole, 180 A.2d at 470 ). 22 to demonstrate that there are material issues of fact for the resolution by the ultimate fact- finder. 181 “These well-established standards and rules equally apply [to the extent] the parties have filed cross-motions for summ…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Level 3 Parent, LLC v. FirstDigital Communications, LLC
Del. Super. Ct. · 2025 · confidence medium
R. 56(c)). 27 Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979). 7 there are material issues of fact in dispute.28 If the facts permit a reasonable person to draw but one inference, the question is ripe for summary judgment.29 IV.
cited Cited as authority (rule) The Cumberland Mutual Fire Insurance Company v. Broan-Nutone, LLC
Del. Super. Ct. · 2025 · confidence medium
Ct. 2015), aff'd, 140 A.3d 431 (Del. 2016) (quoting Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979)). 13 Sizemore, 405 A.2d at 681 . 14 Brzoska v. Olson, 668 A.2d 1355, 1364 (Del. 1995). 15 Super.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Mattel, Inc. v. XL Insurance America, Inc.
Del. Super. Ct. · 2025 · confidence medium
Nov. 30, 2020) (citing Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979)). 68 Id. (citing Brzoska v. Olson, 668 A.2d 1355, 1364 (Del. 1995)). 14 would be appropriate.”69 The moving party’s claim must be “based on more than mere speculation.”70 “[W]here the parties have filed cross-motions for summary judgment, as here, the standard for summary judgment ‘is not altered.’”71 If “neither party argues the existence of a genuine issue of material fact, ‘the Court shall deem the motions to be the equivalent of a stipulation for decision on the merits based on the record submitted …
discussed Cited as authority (rule) June v. Wal-Mart Stores East, L.P.
Del. Super. Ct. · 2025 · confidence medium
Standard of Review Under Superior Court Civil Rule 56(c), this Court may grant a motion for summary judgment when “there is no genuine issue of material fact[,] and [ ] the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law.” The moving party bears the burden of showing no genuine issues of material fact remain in dispute.12 If the moving party meets that burden, the non-moving party must demonstrate material issues of fact remain.13 The Court evaluates the record in a light most favorable to 11 D.I. 41 (Dec. 11, 2024). 12 Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979) (citing Ebe…
cited Cited as authority (rule) Wygand v. Presidio, Inc.
Del. Super. Ct. · 2025 · confidence medium
R. 56(c); Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979). 6 DiOssi v. Maroney, 548 A.2d 1361, 1362 (Del. 1988). 7 Del.
cited Cited as authority (rule) White v. LM General Insurance Company
Del. Super. Ct. · 2025 · confidence medium
Nov. 17, 2011) (first citing Ebersole v. Lowengrub, 180 A.2d 467, 469 (1962); and then citing Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979)). 4 III.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Covert v. Nationwide Property and Casualty Insurance Company
Del. Super. Ct. · 2025 · confidence medium
Ct. 2015), aff'd, 140 A.3d 431 (Del. 2016) (quoting Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979)). 39 Sizemore, 405 A.2d at 681 . 40 Brzoska v. Olson, 668 A.2d 1355, 1364 (Del. 1995). 41 Super.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Trott v. Delaware Division of Child Support Services
Del. Super. Ct. · 2025 · confidence medium
Nov. 25, 2014) (citing Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979)). 19 Lyondell Chem.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Mousley v. Vincent Overlook Homeowners Association, Inc.
Del. Super. Ct. · 2025 · confidence medium
R. 56(c); Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979). 7 DiOssi v. Maroney, 548 A.2d 1361, 1362 (Del. 1988). 8 Del.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. v. XL Specialty
Del. Super. Ct. · 2025 · confidence medium
Nov. 30, 2020) (citing Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 681 (Del. 1979)). 53 Id. (citing Brzoska v. Olson, 668 A.2d 1355, 1364 (Del. 1995)). 10 into the facts would be appropriate.”54 The moving party’s claim must be “based on more than mere speculation.”55 When the parties have filed cross-motions for summary judgment, “the standard for summary judgment ‘is not altered.’”56 If “neither party argues the existence of a genuine issue of material fact, ‘the Court shall deem the motions to be the equivalent of a stipulation for a decision on the merits based on the record submi…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) BVFL I FI LLC v. Office Partners XIII Iron Hill LLC
Del. Super. Ct. · 2025 · confidence medium
Ct. 2015), aff'd, 140 A.3d 431 (Del. 2016) (quoting Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979)). 72 Sizemore, 405 A.2d at 681 . 13 factfinder.73 When considering a motion for summary judgment, the Court's function is to examine the record, including “the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any,” in the light most favorable to the non-moving party to determine whether genuine issues of material fact exist “but not to decide such issues.” 74 Summary judgment will only be appropriate if the Court finds there is…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Del Laws, LLC. v. Scottsdale Indemnity Company
Del. Super. Ct. · 2025 · confidence medium
Ct. Oct. 28, 2020). 38 Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 681 (Del. 1979) (citations omitted). 7 Court will not grant summary judgment if it appears that there is a material fact in dispute or that further inquiry into the facts would be appropriate. 39 In determining whether a genuine issue of material fact exists, the Court must view the facts in the light most favorable to the non-moving party.40 III.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Benefytt Technologies Inc. v. Capitol Specialty Insurance Corporation
Del. Super. Ct. · 2025 · confidence medium
Ct. Nov. 30, 2021). 125 Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979). 126 Del.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Benefytt Technologies, Inc. v. Capitol Specialty Insurance Corporation
Del. Super. Ct. · 2025 · confidence medium
Ct. Nov. 30, 2021). 123 Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979). 124 Del.
cited Cited as authority (rule) In re AmerisourceBergen Corp. (n/k/a Cencora) Delaware Insurance Litigation
Del. Super. Ct. · 2024 · confidence medium
Nov. 30, 2020) (citing Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 681 (Del. 1979)). 84 Id. (citing Brzoska v. Olson, 668 A.2d 1355, 1364 (Del. 1995)). 85 Capano v. Lockwood, 2013 WL 2724634 , at *2 (Del.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Brown v. Fisher-Price, Inc.
Del. Super. Ct. · 2024 · confidence medium
R. 56(c)). 42 Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979). 43 Brzoska v. Olson, 668 A.2d 1355, 1364 (Del. 1995) (citing Moore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 ). 44 Brzoska, 668 A.2d at 1364 (citing Wootten v. Kiger, 226 A.2d 238 (Del.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Christie v. Porter
Del. Super. Ct. · 2024 · confidence medium
Ct. 2015), aff'd, 140 A.3d 431 (Del. 2016) (quoting Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979)). 13 the burden of demonstrating that the undisputed facts support its claims or defenses.65 If the moving party meets its burden, the burden shifts to the non-moving party to show that there are material issues of fact to be resolved by the ultimate factfinder.66 When considering a motion for summary judgment, the Court's function is to examine the record, including “the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any,” in th…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Miller v. Leidos, Inc. (2×)
Del. Super. Ct. · 2024 · confidence medium
Bosch must demonstrate that when the record is reviewed in a light most favorable to Mr. Miller, there are no genuine issues of material fact as to each element of each claim. 47 Merrill v. Crothall-American, Inc., 606 A.2d 96, 99 (Del. 1992) (citing Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979)). 48 Id. (citing Adickes v. S.H.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Huggins v. Benson
Del. Super. Ct. · 2024 · confidence medium
R. 56(c); Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979). 2 Nelson v. Russo, 844 A.2d 301, 302 (Del. 2004); Taylor v. Vanhorn, 2023 WL 3946342 , at *2 (Del.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Loos v. Jackson
Del. Super. Ct. · 2024 · confidence medium
Ct. 2015), aff'd, 140 A.3d 431 (Del. 2016) (quoting Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979)). 45 Sizemore, 405 A.2d at 681 . 8 affidavits, if any” in determining whether to grant summary judgment.46 Summary judgment will be appropriate only when, upon viewing all of the evidence in the light most favorable to the non-moving party, the Court finds that there is no genuine issue of material fact.47 When material facts are in dispute, or “it seems desirable to inquire more thoroughly into facts to clarify the application of the law to the circumstances, summary judgment will not be a…
cited Cited as authority (rule) Corteva Agriscience LLC v. Monsanto Company
Del. Super. Ct. · 2024 · confidence medium
Ct. Nov. 30, 2021). 46 Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979). 47 Del.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Smartmatic USA Corp. v. Newsmax Media, Inc.
Del. Super. Ct. · 2024 · confidence medium
Co., 378 A.2d 624, 632 (Del. 1977); Merrill, 606 A.2d at 99 ; Ebersole v. Lowengrub, 180 A.2d 467, 468-69 (Del. 1962)). 173 Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979). 174 Brzoska v. Olson, 668 A.2d 1355, 1364 (Del. 1995). 175 See Alexander Indus., Inc. v. Hill, 211 A.2d 917, 918-19 (Del. 1965). 176 See Mile Marker, Inc. v. Petersen Publ’g, L.L.C., 811 So. 2d 841, 845 (Fla. Dist.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Feaster v. Tyler
Del. Super. Ct. · 2024 · confidence medium
Ct. 2015), aff'd, 140 A.3d 431 (Del. 2016) (quoting Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979)). 26 Sizemore, 405 A.2d at 681 . 27 Brzoska v. Olson, 668 A.2d 1355, 1364 (Del. 1995). 5 interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any,” in the light most favorable to the non-moving party to determine whether genuine issues of material fact exist “but not to decide such issues.”28 Summary judgment will only be appropriate if the Court finds there is no genuine issue of material fact.
cited Cited as authority (rule) AM Buyer, LLC v. Argosy Investment Partners IV, L.P.
Del. Super. Ct. · 2024 · confidence medium
Ct. Nov. 30, 2021). 80 Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979). 81 Del.
cited Cited as authority (rule) JanCo FS 2, LLC v. ISS Facility Services, Inc.
Del. Super. Ct. · 2024 · confidence medium
Nov. 30, 2020) (citing Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 681 (Del. 1979)). 282 Id. (citing Brzoska v. Olson, 668 A.2d 1355, 1364 (Del. 1995)). 283 Capano v. Lockwood, 2013 WL 2724634 , at *2 (Del.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Seva Holding Inc. v. Octo Platform Equity Holdings, LLC (2×)
Del. Ch. · 2024 · confidence medium
Oct. 29, 2019) (quoting Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979)). 41 Id. (cleaned up) (quoting Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 681 (Del. 1979)); Del.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Brisco v. Hurley
Del. Super. Ct. · 2024 · confidence medium
R. 56(c). 17 See Moore v. Sizemore, 405 A.2d 679, 680 (Del. 1979). 18 See id. at 681 . 19 See Merrill v. Crothall-American, Inc., 606 A.2d 96, 99-100 (Del. 1992) (internal citations omitted). 5 employment of an attorney; (2) the attorney’s neglect of a professional obligation; and (3) resultant loss. 20 To prove the third element, the damages element, the Plaintiff in a legal malpractice action must demonstrate that “but for his lawyers’ negligence, Plaintiff would have been successful in the underlying action.”21 “Thus, in order to sustain a claim of professional negligence against …
Howard W. MOORE, Jr., and Ruth M. Moore, His Wife, Plaintiffs, Appellants,
v.
Glenn A. SIZEMORE and Leon R. Ellis, Partners of Sizemore & Ellis Realty Co., a Delaware Partnership, Glenn A. Sizemore, Individually, Leon R. Ellis, Individually, Lee Littleton, and William D. DeVore and Christina E. DeVore, His Wife, Defendants, Appellees
Supreme Court of Delaware.
Aug 6, 1979.
405 A.2d 679
William D. Fletcher, Jr., of Schmittinger & Rodriguez, P.A., Dover, for plaintiffs., Randy J. Holland and June E. West, of Dunlap, Holland & Eberly, Georgetown, for defendants Glenn A. Sizemore and Lee Lit-tleton., H. Clay Davis, III, of Davis & Marshall, Georgetown, for defendant Leon R. Ellis.
Herrmann, Duffy, Horsey.
Cited by 613 opinions  |  Published
DUFFY, Justice:

This is an action for misrepresentation in connection with a land sale. The parties to the sale were Howard W. Moore, Jr., and Ruth M. Moore, his wife (plaintiffs) and William D. DeVore and Christina E. DeVore, his wife. * The real estate agents involved were Glenn A. Sizemore, Leon R. Ellis, Lee Littleton and the partnership of Sizemore & Ellis Realty Co. (defendants). The Superior Court granted summary judgment to all defendants, and plaintiffs docketed this appeal.

I

Taking the record in the light most favorable to plaintiffs, who are the non-moving parties, Matas v. Green, Del.Super., 3 Storey 473, 171 A.2d 916 (1961), the facts are these:

The DeVores wanted to sell a house and land which they owned near Seaford and they authorized Sizemore & Ellis to be their agent in arranging for a sale of the property. In May 1975, the Moores and the De-Vores entered into a contract for the purchase and sale of the property. The contract did not refer to the size of the tract, but to a description of the land filed with the Recorder of Deeds. The sale was closed on July 21, 1975.

The amount of acreage was an important factor in plaintiffs’ decision to buy the De-Vores’ property, and they say that defendants falsely represented to them that the land consisted of three acres; plaintiffs say that such misrepresentations were made with intent to deceive and defraud them, and that they relied upon the misrepresented facts.

Sometime after the Moores took title to the property, they discovered that the parcel contained only one and three-quarters acres and on May 26, 1977 they filed this action for breach of fiduciary duty and misrepresentation. Defendants moved to dismiss the complaint on the ground that it did not state a claim upon which relief can be granted, and a Superior Court Judge granted the motion as to the breach of fiduciary duty count, but denied it as to the remainder of the complaint. The Judge left open the possibility of a motion for summary judgment and, thereafter, defendants filed such a motion, supporting it with an affidavit by Sizemore. Plaintiffs then filed a motion to amend the complaint to add allegations of deceptive trade practices in violation of 6 Del.C. §§ 2532, 2533.

In ruling on the motions, the Trial Judge (not the same Judge who had ruled on the motions to dismiss) issued the following opinion:

“On the present record I cannot find by studying the complaint any cause of action upon which the plaintiffs can possibly be successful against those defendants who have filed motions to dismiss.
Accordingly, the motions to dismiss are granted.”

Three weeks later, upon plaintiffs’ motion for reargument, the Trial Judge issued an opinion stating:

“Implicit in my letter opinion in the above matter is denial of the plaintiffs’ motion to amend and the granting of the defendants’ motions for summary judgment.
Unfortunately the language used in the letter apparently created some misunderstanding.
Accordingly, the motion for reargument is denied.”

It is from those rulings that plaintiffs appeal.

II

A summary judgment may not be granted under Rule 56 unless there are no material issues of fact, State ex rel. Mitchell v. Wolcott, Del.Supr., 7 Terry 362, 83 A.2d 759 (1951), and the moving party initially bears the burden of showing that none are present. Ebersole v. Lowengrub, Del.Supr., 4 Storey 463, 180 A.2d 467 (1962).[*681] When a motion for summary judgment is “supported” by such a showing under the Rule, the burden shifts to a non-moving party to demonstrate that there are material issues of fact. Hurtt v. Goleburn, Del. Supr., 330 A.2d 134 (1974). See also 6 Moore's Federal Practice 56.15[3] (1976).

In this case, the complaint alleges misrepresentation, fraud and deceit by defendants about the size of the tract of land. Defendants have not filed an answer. Indeed, the only relevant document in the record, other than the complaint, is the Sizemore affidavit filed with the motion for summary judgment, which states:

“2. The property of William D. DeVore and Christina E. DeVore was advertised for sale as containing three (3) acres of land solely on the basis of representations made to Sizemore & Ellis Realty Company by William D. DeVore and Christina E. DeVore.
3. The property of William D. DeVore and Christina E. DeVore was advertised for sale as containing three acres of land in good faith reliance on representations made to the Sizemore & Ellis Realty Company by the aforementioned De-Vores.
4. The contract for sale made no reference to acres but referred to the property to be sold as described in Deed Book 689, Page 418 as recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds, Georgetown, Sussex County, Delaware.”

On its face, the affidavit does not controvert the issues of fraud and deceit alleged in the complaint, except that it states that Sizemore and Ellis relied on representations made to them by the DeVores with respect to the acreage.

The allegations of the complaint as to fraud, misrepresentation, reliance and actual acreage are not denied by anything which defendants have put in the record. Indeed, the Sizemore affidavit conceded that the property was advertised as containing three acres, but says that was done “in good faith reliance on representations made to the Sizemore & Ellis Realty Company by the aforementioned DeVores.” On this state of affairs, defendants did not support the motion for summary judgment as to allegations of fraud, misrepresentation, reliance and actual acreage. Thus the burden did not shift to plaintiffs to show that there were material issues of fact as to such issues. Hurtt v. Goleburn, supra.

Defendants did, however, propose a legal issue by filing the Sizemore affidavit, alleging good faith reliance on the representations by the principals (that is, the owners). But the Superior Court opinions do not discuss that issue nor do the briefs filed in this Court. In this Court, the briefs filed by the parties deal largely with procedural issues — whether a defendant is required to file an answer before moving for summary judgment, whether a motion for summary judgment was permissible after the Court had denied a motion to dismiss the complaint, whether counter-affidavits were required, and so on.

We recognize that an agent who makes untrue statements based upon information-received from the principal may not be liable because the principal knew that the information was untrue. See Restatement of the Law, Agency 2d § 348, comment b; Anno.: Misrepresentation — Area of Realty, 54 A.L.R.2d 660. But the Superior Court did not consider that law nor have the parties argued it here. Thus, it cannot be said, as a matter of law, that defendants are entitled to judgment. It follows that the case was not ready for summary judgment, and the Trial Judge erred when he granted it. See 6 (Part 2) Moore’s Federal Practice ¶ 56.23 (1979). We do not reach other issues raised by the parties.

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Reversed.

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The DeVores are named defendants but have not been served with process.