Saab v. Norton Family, Inc.

This is a summary process action in which a judgment for possession of commercial premises was entered for the plaintiff-landlord, Louis M. Saab (“Saab”). Pursuant to Dist./Mun. Cts. R. A. D. A., Rule 8C, Saab now appeals the trial court’s failure to award him damages for past rent and utility charges allegedly due. He contends that the trial judge erred in (1) applying the doctrine of frustration of purpose so as to relieve the tenant of its obligations for unpaid rent and utilities, and (2) failing to act on his requests for rulings of law.

Much of the evidence at trial was undisputed. In…