Legal Opinion
J.R. Simplot, Inc. v. Knight
Washington Supreme Court
Decided November 18, 1999No. 67652-6PublishedCited by 10 opinions
1Opinion of the CourtSanders, J.
Although “[pjunctuation is a most fallible standard by which to interpret a writing,” Lessee of Ewing v. Burnet, 36 U.S. (11 Pet.) 41, 54, 9 L. Ed. 624 (1837), the sole issue we must determine is the legal significance of a hyphen separating multiple payees on a negotiable instrument.
Three checks made payable to the order of “Rick KnightSimplot Soil Builders” were endorsed and deposited by Rick Knight alone. Simplot sued Yakima Federal Savings and Loan (hereinafter “Yakima Federal”) for conversion, but the trial court granted summary judgment, holding the hyphen was ambiguous and the check…
2Cases cited16 opinions
- Mt. Park Homeowners Ass'n, Inc. v. TydingsWashington Supreme Court · 1994
- Lessee of Ewing v. BurnetSupreme Court of the United States · 1837
- Public Citizen, Inc. v. First National Bank in FairmontWest Virginia Supreme Court · 1996
- Joffe v. United California BankCalifornia Court of Appeal · 1983
- Swiss Baco Skyline Logging, Inc. v. HaliewiczCourt of Appeals of Washington · 1977
11 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by10 opinions
- Pelican National Bank v. Provident BankCourt of Appeals of Maryland · 2004
- In Re DanielsUnited States Bankruptcy Court, M.D. Florida · 2004
- First American Title Insurance v. Department of RevenueWashington Supreme Court · 2001
- Coregis Insurance v. Fleet National BankConnecticut Appellate Court · 2002
- JR Simplot, Inc. v. KnightWashington Supreme Court · 1999
5 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.