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Dixon v. Midland Mortgage Co.

Citation: Not availableDocket: Civil Action No. 2009-1789

Court: District Court, District of Columbia; September 29, 2011; Federal District Court

Original Court Document: View Document

Narrative Opinion Summary

In this case, the Plaintiff, acting as conservator, filed a motion for partial summary judgment against the Defendant, a mortgage company, alleging trespass, breach of contract, and wrongful eviction. The Court granted the Defendant's motion for summary judgment on all counts, while denying the Plaintiff's motion. The Plaintiff claimed that the Defendant's entry into the property constituted trespass without authorization, but the Court found this entry privileged due to the property's abandonment and concerns of vandalism. Regarding the breach of contract, the Plaintiff failed to demonstrate a valid contract with specific terms preventing the Defendant's actions or efforts to sell the property before foreclosure. The wrongful eviction claim lacked evidence of intent or removal of belongings by the Defendant. The Court emphasized the Plaintiff's failure to contest the Defendant's undisputed facts, leading to their acceptance. The Plaintiff's attempt to alter the wrongful eviction theory was dismissed as prejudicial and unsupported. Consequently, the Court dismissed the Plaintiff's amended complaint with prejudice, reaffirming the Defendant's compliance with legal standards and procedural rules.

Legal Issues Addressed

Adherence to Local Civil Rule 7(h)(1)

Application: Failure to respond appropriately or contest the opposing party's statement of undisputed facts may lead the court to accept those facts as conceded.

Reasoning: Midland complied with this rule by submitting a detailed statement of undisputed facts, while Dixon failed to respond appropriately or contest these facts, leading the Court to accept Midland's statement as conceded.

Breach of Contract Requirements

Application: A Plaintiff must show a valid contract with consideration and evidence of breach by the Defendant. The absence of specific contractual terms preventing the Defendant's actions undermines the breach claim.

Reasoning: The breach of contract claim is based on an alleged agreement...However, Plaintiff has not provided evidence of any specific contractual terms preventing such actions by Midland and concedes this point.

Summary Judgment Standards

Application: Summary judgment is appropriate when there is no genuine issue of material fact, and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.

Reasoning: Summary judgment is warranted when there is no genuine issue of material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.

Trespass under District of Columbia Law

Application: A party must demonstrate unauthorized entry that interferes with the owner's property rights. However, entry may be privileged if it serves a public interest, such as securing an abandoned property.

Reasoning: Dixon alleged that Midland unlawfully entered his property...constituting trespass under District of Columbia law, which defines trespass as unauthorized entry that interferes with the property owner's rights.

Wrongful Eviction under D.C. Law

Application: To prove wrongful eviction, a Plaintiff must show the Defendant's intent to permanently deprive the enjoyment of property and adherence to legal eviction procedures.

Reasoning: Plaintiff claims that Midland wrongfully evicted Jiggetts...Plaintiff must show that Midland acted with the intent to permanently deprive him of property enjoyment.