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Palau Civil Service Pension Plan v Udui Jr. [2014] PWSC 15; Civil Appeal 14-008 and 14-018 (23 December 2014)

IN THE
SUPREME COURT OF THE REPUBLIC OF PALAU
APPELLATE DIVISION

CIVIL APPEAL NO. 14-008/14-018

Civil Action No.: 07-220

PALAU CIVIL SERVICE PENSION PLAN
Appellant/Cross-Appellee

v

KALEB UDUI Jr. personally, and FRANCIS REMENGESAU, in his capacity as Trustee for the Pacific Savings Bank Creditors’ Trust
Appellees/Cross-Appellants

OPINION

Decided: December ____, 2014

Counsel for Appellant/Cross-Appellee: Vameline Singeo, George Anthony Long
Counsel for Appellees/Cross-Appellants: William L. Ridpath, Enver W. Painter, Jr.

BEFORE: KATHLEEN M. SALII, Associate Justice; LOURDES F. MATERNE, Associate Justice; R. ASHBY PATE, Associate Justice.

Appeal from the Trial Division, the Honorable Arthur Ngiraklsong, Chief Justice, presiding.

PER CURIAM:

Plaintiff-Appellant/Cross-Appellee Palau Civil Service Pension Plan appeals the Trial Division’s March 21, 2014 Order (Tr. Order) dismissing its case for failure to state a claim. Defendant-Appellees/Cross-Appellants Kaleb Udui Jr. and Francis Remengesau appeal a separate ruling (contained in the same order) denying Defendants’ Rule 11 motion for attorneys fees.^[1] For the reasons set forth below, the decision of the Trial Division is affirmed in its entirety.^[2]

BACKGROUND

This appeal arises out of Appellant Palau Civil Service Pension Plan’s (the Plan) attempt to recover $1,000,000.00 lost as a result of the collapse of the Pacific Savings Bank (PSB) in 2006. The Plan asserts that its deposit was subject to a “Deposit Agreement” between the Plan and PSB, which appears to grant the Plan a security interest in the form of a first lien on certain PSB assets.^[3] The Agreement was signed on behalf of PSB on July 25, 2006 and on behalf of the Plan on September 26, 2006. However, on August 25, 2006, the Financial Institutions Commission issued an Order Imposing Restrictions on Operations (Restrictive Order) that prohibited PSB from taking certain actions, including accepting deposits greater than $10,000.00. PSB was placed in receivership shortly thereafter, on November 7, 2006.

On or about November 24, 2006, the Plan filed a claim with the Receiver, Defendant Kaleb Udui Jr., in an attempt to recover the deposit or the collateral described in the Agreement. The Receiver denied the Plan’s security interest and informed it that it would be treated as an unsecured creditor. The Plan filed this suit in response, claiming that the Receiver’s actions breached the terms of the Deposit Agreement and were otherwise contrary to his duties as Receiver. The Plan sought a declaratory judgment that the Agreement was enforceable, an award of the $1,000,000.00 deposit with interest, an order requiring the Receiver to deliver the secured collateral to the Plan in lieu of refund of the deposit, and an order prohibiting the Receiver from disposing of or transferring title to the secured collateral.

Defendants opposed on numerous grounds, primarily arguing that the Deposit Agreement was not a valid contract because PSB was prohibited by the Restrictive Order from accepting deposits or pledging assets as collateral when the Plan accepted the proposed agreement—that is, the contract was signed significantly after the August 25, 2006 Restrictive Order.^[4] Defendants also requested, and were granted, a stay of the suit for more than two years while related criminal proceedings were ongoing. Following the lift of the stay in 2010, the Trial Division set trial for February of 2011, a date that also was continued on Defendant’s unopposed motion.

No significant action took place until December of 2013, when the Trial Division issued an Order to Show Cause why the case should not be dismissed for lack of prosecution. Following briefing on the Order to Show Cause, Defendants filed a Rule 11 motion for sanctions and fees in which it appears Defendants first argued that the case presented a non-justiciable question. The Plan responded to Defendants’ Rule 11 motion in all parts, including addressing justiciability. Finally, after the conclusion of briefing, the Trial Division denied Defendants’ Rule 11 motion but dismissed the case, sua sponte, for failure to state a claim upon which relief could be granted. All parties filed timely appeals of the Trial Division’s order.

STANDARDS OF REVIEW

A lower court’s conclusions of law are reviewed de novo. Roman Tmetuchl Family Trust v Whipps, 8 ROP Intrm. 317, 318 (2001). Whether or not a claim for relief is justiciable is a conclusion of law, so the Trial Division’s decision to dismiss the case, whether for failure to state a claim or for non-justiciability, is reviewed de novo. Ford Motor Co. v United States, 688 F.3d 1319, 1323 (Fed. Cir. 2012); Gary G. v El Paso Indep. Sch. Dist., 632 F.3d 201, 206 (5th Cir. 2011). A lower court’s decision regarding Rule 11 sanctions or fees is reviewed for abuse of discretion. Shmull v Rosenthal, 8 ROP Intrm. 261, 261–62 (2001). We may affirm a decision of the Trial Division for any basis apparent in the record. Inglai Clan v Emesiochel, 3 ROP Intrm, 222 (1992); see also 5 Am. Jur. 2d Appellate Review § 775.

ANALYSIS

The Plan asserts numerous issues on appeal, of which a handful are relevant to t to the actual question at the core of their appeal—whether the Trial Division erred in dismissing the Plan’s claims against either of the Defendants. Defendants challenge that the Trial Division erred in denying their request for Rule 11 sanctions and attorneys fees. Because we find that dismissal was appropriate and that the Trial Division did not abuse its discretion in denying Rule 11 sanctions, the decision of the Trial Division will be affirmed.

I. Feichtinger v Udui

The Plan argues that the Trial Division erred when it determined that Feichtinger v Udui, 16 ROP 173 (2009), required dismissal of the complaint. Correctly quoting this Court’s opinion, it notes that it is “inaccurate to say that the court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over the claim.” Plan Brief 9 (quoting Feichtinger, 16 ROP at 177). Based on this holding, the Plan argues that dismissal under Rule 12(b)(6) was improper because the Trial Division had jurisdiction to hear the claim. While we agree that the Trial Division possessed jurisdiction, we disagree with the Plan’s interpretation of Feichtinger.

A court’s jurisdiction to hear a case is a fundamentally different question than the whether the claim is justiciable—that is, whether or not the subject matter is appropriate for judicial consideration. Baker v Carr, [1962] USSC 42; 369 U.S. 186, 198[1962] USSC 42; , 82 S. Ct. 691, 700 (1962), adopted in part by Filibert v Ngirmang, 8 ROP Intrm. 273 (2001); Fritz v Republic of Palau, 4 ROP Intrm. 264 (Tr. Div 1993) (applying the Baker political question analysis). While a lack of jurisdiction entirely forecloses judicial oversight or review, justiciability requires a case by case inquiry over subject matters that, while within the court’s jurisdiction, may be inappropriate for consideration for other reasons. Baker, 369 U.S. at 198, 82 S. Ct. at 700. Justiciability is not just about whether a plaintiff can state a claim; it is about “whether the duty asserted can be judicially identified and its breach judicially determined, and whether protection for the right asserted can be judicially molded.” Id. Under Palauan law, justiciability doctrines are largely a product of statute, judicial prudence, and interpretation of constitutional provisions. See Gibbons v ROP, 1 ROP Intrm. 634, 637 (1989) (holding that plaintiffs must demonstrate standing to show that a case is “a matter[] which traditionally require[s] judicial resolution”); see also Gibbons v Seventh Koror State Legislature, 11 ROP 97, 104–105 (2004) (analyzing standing of the legislature); Senate v Nakamura, 7 ROP Intrm. 8, 9–10 (1998) (same); Salii v House of Delegates, 1 ROP Intrm. 708, 710–711 (1989) (holding that moot cases must be dismissed despite this Court’s general jurisdiction).

Feichtinger held, unambiguously, that claims against a receiver in review of his decisions were nonjusticiable. Feichtinger, 16 ROP at 177–178. Despite this Court’s broad subject matter jurisdiction, we recognized in Feichtinger several reasons that the Court should not decide the case: the policy basis behind creation of the receivership, the need for efficient resolution of claims against PSB, the necessity of autonomy of the receivership, and respect for the statutory scheme enacted by the political branches of the government. Id at 176, 178. What we failed to do was give a clear explanation as to why these claims are nonjusticiable, so we now clarify Feichtinger’s holding by recognizing that claims against a receiver seeking review of his decisions in that capacity present nonjusticiable political questions.

The political question doctrine derives its roots, in both the United States and in Palau, from the separation of powers within the branches of government. See 13A Charles Alan Wright et al., Federal Practice and Procedure § 3534 (2nd E. 1984). In Fritz v Republic of Palau, 4 ROP Intrm. 264 (Tr. Div 1993), the Trial Division recognized that a question is political, and therefore nonjusticiable, where there is “[1] a textually demonstrable constitutional commitment of the issue to a coordinate political department; or [2] a lack of judicially discoverable and manageable standards for resolving it.”^[5] Fritz, 4 ROP Intrm. at 271–272 (quoting Baker v Carr, [1962] USSC 42; 369 U.S. 186, 217, 84 S. Ct. 691, 710 (1962)) (enumeration added); see also Filibert v Ngirmang, 8 ROP Intrm. 273 (2001) (citing Fritz for its analysis of political questions). Where cases present questions that are explicitly designated to a political branch by our Constitution or present questions which cannot be answered within the legal standards available for adjudication, this Court will generally refrain from interfering in the business of the political branches.

We would be remiss, however, if we did not take this opportunity to recognize the limits of a prudential doctrine such as the political question doctrine. Political questions, such as the validity of the actions of the Receiver, are not entirely immune to judicial review; they are insulated from a judicial substitution of our judgment for that of the political branches of government.

One can, nevertheless, envision different and unusual circumstances that might justify a more searching review of [the] proceedings. If the [Receiver] were to act in a matter seriously threatening the integrity of [the] results, [denying], say, upon a coin toss, or upon a summary determination that a [claimant] was simply ‘a bad guy,’ judicial interference might well be appropriate. In such circumstances, the [Receiver’s] action might be so far beyond the scope of its [] authority, and the consequent impact on the Republic so great, as to merit a judicial response despite the prudential concerns that would ordinarily counsel silence. “The political question doctrine, a tool for maintenance of governmental order, will not be so applied as to promote only disorder.”

Nixon v United States[1993] USSC 6; , 506 U.S. 224, 253–54[1993] USSC 6; , 113 S. Ct. 732, 748 (1993) (Souter, J., concurring) (quoting Baker, 369 U.S. at 215, 82 S.Ct. at 709). But so long as the political branches provide a legitimate evaluation of such questions where the integrity of the results, whatever they may be, is not seriously disputed, the courts will not intervene.

Understanding Feichtinger as recognizing a political question, it becomes clear that the Plan’s attempts to distinguish its claim misconstrue Feichtinger, justiciability, and the nature of due process itself. The Plan argues that, as a secured creditor, it holds a property interest in the secured collateral and that it was deprived of that interest without due process when the Receiver denied its claim.^[6] While the Feichtinger Court did note that suits for recovery of funds lost in a bank failure do not “allege[ ] constitutional violations or need [] constitutional interpretation,” that in no way means that Feichtinger’s holding can be circumvented merely by the perfunctory inclusion of a constitutional claim without alleging possible facts sufficient to support that claim. See Feichtinger, 16 ROP at 177.

The facts alleged by the Plan, even when assumed to be true, demonstrate only an unfavorable result—not a denial of due process—and do not materially distinguish this case from Feichtinger in any constitutional dimension. As the Trial Division correctly noted, both secured and unsecured creditors hold a property interest in loaned or deposited funds, and a suit for recovery of funds or assets lost in a bank collapse seeks only the enforcement of such a contractual or property interest. See id. Having failed to allege any facts actually suggesting that the Receiver’s adjudication was in any way invalid or illegitimate, the Plan’s due process argument is supported only by the naked allegation that denial of its claim could only have resulted from actions contrary to law or that were otherwise improper. To resolve such an entirely unsupported allegation, the Trial Division would have to engage in a searching, de novo review of the Receiver’s adjudication—exactly what we said in Feichtinger that we would not do when we held that such claims were nonjusticiable. The trial court correctly treated Feichtinger as binding precedent.^[7]

Even assuming that the Plan has both the rights and injuries that it claims, no judicially discoverable or manageable standards exist under which this Court could award relief to the Plan and similarly situated claimants. Each depositor or creditor in the wake of PSB’s failure could bring an all but identical claim before this Court, and, assuming the validity of their claims, each might be entitled to judgment in full in fulfillment of its contractual or property rights. But if it were possible for this Court to make each legitimate claimant whole with payment in full from PSB’s assets, PSB would never have failed in the first place.

Instead, the unfortunate reality of receivership is necessarily one of compromise: few, if any, significant claimants can be made whole, and having adjudicated the validity of the claims, it is the responsibility of the Receiver to fairly manage, liquidate, and/or distribute PSB assets amongst the claimants. Such decisions regarding relief are inherently discretionary and carry enormous national and social implications that the legislature and the executive have entrusted, in part, to the Receiver. See 26 PNC § 10.113 (providing the powers and duties of the receiver and allowing for certain dispositions where, in the opinion of the receiver, they are likely to help satisfy the failed bank’s obligations). To evaluate whether the denial of the Plan’s claim as a secured creditor was proper, or whether the eventual relief granted by the Receiver, if any, was sufficient, we would have to substitute our judgment for that of the lawfully appointed agent of the political branches. Doing so would require the joinder, comparison, and adjudication of every competing claim against PSB’s assets, the consideration of which is necessary to come to a reasonable conclusion where compromise is required. See id. § 10.114(b) (requiring all claims in a class abate in equal proportion where assets are insufficient to meet liabilities).

We are not unsympathetic to the Plan’s losses in tke of this financial disaster, but the question of how to r to resolve PSB’s failure is one best left to the political branches of government. Absent any showing that they have abdicated their constitutional obligations to the people, it is inappropriate for the Judiciary to become involved.

II. The Trial Division’s Denial of Rule 11 Sanctions.

The Trial Division disposed of Defendants’ Rule 11 request for sanctions and fees in one paragraph, declining to award fees and finding that “Plaintiff’s arguments, although unsuccessful, are [not] wholly without merit or in bad faith.” Tr. Order 4. Given that Rule 11 sanctions are reviewed only for abuse of discretion, it is extremely rare that a meritorious basis for appeal of a Rule 11 decision will exist. See Shmull v Rosenthal, 8 ROP Intrm. 261, 261–62 (2001). Generally, it can be problematic if a trial court rules on a motion for sanctions without giving much explanation of its reasoning, because such an order sometimes fails to provide sufficient explanation for the Appellate Division to review the decision. Wolff v Sugiyama, 5 ROP Intrm. 105, 113–114 (1995). However, “even a perfunctory order may suffice if the [decision] was clearly appropriate from the record.” Id. at 113 (quoting Katz v Household Int'l, Inc., [1994] USCA7 1156; 36 F.3d 670, 673 (7th Cir. 1994).

Several notable facts make it clear that the Trial Division applied the proper legal standard, evaluated Defendants’ motion and the evidence, and did not abuse its discretion in denying relief. First, it is beyond dispute that the complaint, when filed, cannot have been frivolous or in bad faith under Feichtinger, because it was filed two years prior to Feichtinger being decided. The Trial Division eventually ruled that the factual differences between the Plan’s case and Feichtinger did not sufficiedistinguishguish the cases as to warrant a different result, but it certainly appears from the record that a colorable legal argument was made. A pleading does not violate Rule 11 simply by bensuccessful; it must be e wholly without merit. Rdialul v Kirk & Shadel, 12 ROP 89, 94 (2005). While Rule 11 also applies to parties’ subsequent motions and papers, the record does not appear to contain clear evidence of any filings by the Plan that were so baseless, frivolous, or in bad faith as to require the Trial Division to impose sanctions or award fees. See Kruger v Rosenthal, 9 ROP 105, 111 (2002).