Ciba-Geigy Corp. v. Liberty Mutual Insurance

The opinion of the Court was delivered by

POLLOCK, J.

These appeals pose the issue whether a constitutional right to a jury trial exists in an action for a declaratory judgment concerning claims against insurers for breach of contract and the recovery of future remediation costs. Resolution of the issue depends on whether such an action is more like a traditional common-law action for damages or one for equitable relief.

In Ciba-Geigy v. Liberty Mutual Insurance Co., plaintiff Ciba-Geigy Corporation (“Ciba-Geigy”) sued its insurers seeking a judgment declaring that the insurers are obligated to…