Robert S. Unpingco v. Antolin Derry , 2021 Guam 1 ( 2021 )

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF GUAM
ROBERT S. UNPINGCO,
Plaintiff-Appellant,
v.
ANTOLIN DERRY,
Defendant-Appellee.
Supreme Court Case No.: CVA19-016
Superior Court Case No.: CV1189-18
OPINION
Cite as: 2021 Guam 1Appeal from the Superior Court of Guam
Argued and submitted on March 9, 2020
Hagåtña, Guam
Appearing for Plaintiff-Appellant: Appearing for Defendant-Appellee:
James M. Maher, Esq. Louie J. Yanza, Esq.
Law Office of James M. Maher Law Office of Louie J. Yanza, P.C.
DNA Bldg. One Agana Bay
238 Archbishop Flores St., Ste. 300 446 E. Marine Corps Dr., Ste. 202
Hagåtña, GU 96910 Hagåtña, GU 96910
Unpingco v. Derry, 2021 Guam 1, Opinion Page 2 of 9
BEFORE: F. PHILIP CARBULLIDO, Chief Justice; ROBERT J. TORRES, Associate Justice;
KATHERINE A. MARAMAN, Associate Justice.
TORRES, J.:
[1] This appeal arises from a trespass action between neighbors over an encroaching fence and
wall built by Defendant-Appellee Antolin Derry on Plaintiff-Appellant Robert S. Unpingco’s
Torrens registered property. As established in the proceedings below, Derry completed
construction of the encroaching structures in 1994. Unpingco learned of the encroachment in
2017. In 2018, the Department of Public Works issued a notice of violation to Derry regarding
the encroachment. Unpingco sued for an injunction and damages. Unpingco moved for partial
summary judgment as no material facts were in dispute; Derry then cross-moved for summary
judgment, arguing the claim was time-barred by the three-year statute of limitations for trespass.
The trial court denied Unpingco’s motion for partial summary judgment and granted Derry’s cross-
motion for summary judgment, finding the trespass to be time-barred. Unpingco appeals, arguing
the trial court misinterpreted the nature of the trespass and the applicability of the statute of
limitations in 7 GCA § 11305(b). We reverse the summary judgment and hold that Unpingco may
maintain his suit for injunctive relief.
I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
[2] Unpingco came into possession of his property, identified as Lot 1072-2-A-2 in Barrigada,
Guam, as a properly registered landowner in 1978 under Guam’s Land Title Registration System.
He moved away from the property in 1980. He received the property via a Deed of Gift from his
parents and holds a certificate of title from the Guam Department of Land Management that does
not list any estates, liens, charges, or encumbrances on the land described in the certificate of title.
The land was first registered on February 1, 1929, and the certificate of title identifies Robert S.
Unpingco as the certified owner of the property.
Unpingco v. Derry, 2021 Guam 1, Opinion Page 3 of 9
[3] Two years after obtaining the certificate of title in 1978, Unpingco left the property and
did not return to the property until 2016. In 1994, Derry, an adjacent landowner, built a wall and
fence encroaching on Unpingco’s property. The encroaching structures were completed in
November 1994. The encroachment covers approximately 33 square feet of Unpingco’s property.
[4] A neighbor informed Unpingco of the encroachment in 2017, over 22 years after the
erection of the wall. Unpingco then sent a letter to Derry informing him of the encroachment and
asking Derry to take down the portions of the wall encroaching onto the property. Subsequently,
in 2018, the Department of Public Works issued a “Notice of Violation” to Derry regarding the
encroachment.
[5] On December 5, 2018, Unpingco filed suit against Derry before the Superior Court,
alleging trespass and seeking injunctive relief—specifically, removal of the encroachment and
damages. This action was commenced on December 5, 2018, over 24 years after the completion
of the wall.
[6] Unpingco moved for partial summary judgment, alleging there were no material facts in
dispute regarding the encroachment on his property as neither Unpingco nor Derry contested the
encroachment’s existence on Unpingco’s property. Derry, however, cross-moved for summary
judgment, asserting the suit was time-barred under 7 GCA § 11305(b), which sets a three-year
statute of limitations on actions for trespass upon real property.
[7] The trial court denied Unpingco’s motion and granted Derry’s cross-motion for summary
judgement, finding that no genuine issues of material fact remained regarding the statute of
limitations. In doing so, the trial court held that Unpingco failed to bring a timely action under 7
GCA § 11305(b), and thus the three-year statute of limitations had run for Unpingco to bring an
action for permanent trespass on his property. The trial court entered a final judgment, which
Unpingco timely appealed.
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II. JURISDICTION
[8] This court has jurisdiction over appeals from a final judgment of the Superior Court. 48
U.S.C.A. § 1424-1(a)(2) (Westlaw through Pub. L. 116-259 (2020)); 7 GCA §§ 3107(b), 3108(a)
(2005).
III. STANDARD OF REVIEW
[9] “We review a trial court’s decision granting a motion for summary judgment de novo.”
Hawaiian Rock Prods. Corp. v. Ocean Hous., Inc., 2016 Guam 4 ¶ 13 (citing Zahnen v. Limtiaco,
2008 Guam 5 ¶ 8). Summary judgment is proper “if the pleadings, depositions, answers to
interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no
genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter
of law.” Guam R. Civ. P. 56(c).
IV. ANALYSIS
[10] Though multiple issues are raised on appeal, we limit our review to whether the trial court
improperly granted summary judgment to Derry on the basis that Unpingco’s complaint is barred
by the three-year statute of limitations set forth in 7 GCA § 11305(b). Unpingco argues the trial
court mistakenly relied on California case law when assessing the applicability of the statute of
limitations for trespass actions. Appellant’s Br. at 12-13 (Dec. 13, 2019). Unpingco argues 7
GCA § 11305(b) does not apply to trespass actions on real property registered under the Land Title
Registration Act. Id. We agree.
[11] Guam’s Land Title Registration Act uses a form of registration known as the Torrens
system, a system for registering real property titles by “the use of certificates which conclusively
show the state of the title at all times.” Pelowski v. Taitano, 2000 Guam 34 ¶ 30 (quoting Pioneer
Abstract & Title Guar. Co. v. Feraud, 267 P. 134, 137 (Cal. Dist. Ct. App. 1928)); see also 21
GCA § 29101 et seq. (2005). The system’s creator, Sir Robert Torrens, made the system to
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simplify transfers of real estate and to render titles safe and indefeasible. See Pioneer Abstract,
267 P. at 137.
[12] To initially register land under Guam’s Torrens system, one must petition the Superior
Court of Guam. 21 GCA § 29105. After notice and hearing to determine the owner of the property,
21 GCA § 29115, the owner may order registration of their title by filing a court-issued decree
pursuant to 21 GCA § 29116. Upon the first proper registration of the parcel of land, the title “is
final and conclusive as against ‘the rights of all persons, known and unknown, to assert any estate,
interest, claim, lien, or demand of any kind or nature whatsoever, against the land so ordered
registered or any part thereof, except only as in [the Registration Law] provides.’” Pelowski, 2000
Guam 34 ¶ 30 (alteration in original) (quoting 21 GCA § 29117 (1994)). Proper registration should
function to make the title indefeasible. See Taitano v. Calvo Fin. Corp., 2008 Guam 12 ¶ 60.
[13] Generally, “[e]very registered owner of land which is brought under the Torrens system
holds the land free from any and all adverse claims, rights and encumbrances not noted on the
certificate of title[.]” 14 Michael Allen Wolf, Powell on Real Property § 83.03[8] (2020)
(LexisNexis Matthew Bender). This indefeasibility and simplicity is fundamental to the Torrens
system. Id.; see also Lujan v. Quinata, 2016 Guam 39 ¶ 11 (explaining Guam’s Land Registration
System is intended to ensure titles are safe and indefeasible). Once the initial registering
landowner completes the first registration process, one cannot “assert any interest or right in or
lien or demand upon the same, or make entry thereon adversely to the title of interest” after one
year, 21 GCA § 29146 (2005); 7 GCA § 11204 (2005),1 unless the initial instrument was forged
1
Title 7 GCA § 11204, titled “Limitation of Actions Relating to Registered Land,” states:
No person shall commence any action at law or in equity for the recovery of land, or assert
any interest in or right in or lien or demand upon the same, or make entry thereon adversely to the
title of interest certified in the certificate of title bringing the land under the operation of the Land
Title Registration Act after one (1) year following the first registration . . . .
7 GCA § 11204; see also 21 GCA § 29146.
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or “executed by a person under legal disability,” 21 GCA § 29139 (2005). One cannot, for
example, adversely possess Torrens registered land. See 21 GCA § 29136 (2005); 7 GCA § 11204;
Burkhart v. Miranda, 2013 Guam 2 ¶ 18 (“The law is well established that one cannot adversely
possess registered land.”); see also Peters v. Archambault, 278 N.E. 2d 729, 731 (Mass. 1972)
(recognizing encroachment would defeat purpose of land registration act because registered land
is protected more than other land from unrecorded and unregistered liens, prescriptive rights,
encumbrances, and other burdens); Ass’n of Apartment Owners of Wailea Elua v. Wailea Resort
Co., 58 P.3d 608, 633 n.2 (Haw. 2002) (Ramil, J., concurring) (recognizing express easement over
registered land requires compliance with land registration statute which is premised on preserving
integrity of titles).
[14] The Torrens land registration system “ensure[s] [the real property’s] marketability, to
protect the transferee of a registered title, and to simplify conveyancing by allowing prospective
purchasers to rely on the certificate of title as reflecting all interests in the land.” 66 Am. Jur. 2d
Registration of Land Titles § 1 (2020) (footnotes omitted); see also Pelowski, 2000 Guam 34 ¶ 30;
Calvo Fin. Corp., 2008 Guam 12 ¶ 60. The system is intended to create “an absolute presumption
that the register of titles speaks the last word about the title to land, eliminating all ‘secret liens
and hidden equities,’ and making the language in the register of titles absolute proof of indefeasible
title excepting only those encumbrances and claims noted therein.” Kincaid v. Yount, 459 N.E.2d
235, 238 (Ohio Ct. App. 1983); see also 7 GCA § 11204; 21 GCA § 29137 (2005). As a result of
this indefeasibility and reliance on the register of titles, “no unregistered estate, interest, power,
right, claim, contract or trust’ may prevail against the title of a registered owner taking bona fide
for valuable consideration or any person bona fide claiming under him.” Pelowski, 2000 Guam
34 ¶ 33 (quoting 21 GCA § 29140 (1994)). The indefeasible title free from all rights or claims not
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registered provides assurance to those that may deal with the property that the only rights or claims
they need to take notice of are those registered.
[15] As a result of this indefeasibility, a landowner may bring an ejectment action on Torrens-
registered property regardless of a statute of limitations. See, e.g., Burkhart, 2013 Guam 2 ¶ 18
(holding that landowner may bring ejectment action in part because 7 GCA § 11205, the statute of
limitations to recover real property, does not apply to Torrens-registered land); Hebert v. City of
Fifty Lakes, No. A13-0311, 2014 WL 103327, at *4 (Minn. Ct. App. Jan. 13, 2014). Even the
obviousness of an encroachment is not enough to overcome the rights of a registered landowner.
See Kincaid, 459 N.E.2d at 239-40.
[16] Some jurisdictions have held Torrens-registered land may be defeasible in a very narrow,
limited number of circumstances. For example, Massachusetts provides restitution for claims
against registration decrees made in bad faith or procured by fraud. See, e.g., Tetrault v. Bruscoe,
497 N.E.2d 275, 278 n.6 (Mass. 1986); Keller v. O’Brien, 683 N.E.2d 1026, 1030 (Mass. 1997);
State St. Bank & Tr. Co. v. Beale, 227 N.E.2d 924, 927 (Mass. 1967). Minnesota courts allow the
doctrine of laches as an equitable defense to an ejection action. See Hebert, 2014 WL 103327, at
*4; cf. Burkhalter v. Mays, 877 N.W.2d 788, 793-94 (Minn. Ct. App. 2016) (holding a party must
prove actual, not merely constructive, knowledge to prevail on claim of interest not memorialized
on certificate of title).
[17] Minnesota has established an exception for “boundary by practical location” through which
adjoining landowners may change their boundary line, even for Torrens-registered land, through
acquiescence, agreement, or estoppel. See In re Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., No. A15-1557, 2016 WL
3582593 (Minn. Ct. App. July 5, 2016); see also Romanchuk v. Plotkin, 9 N.W.2d 421, 427 (Minn.
1943). To achieve a change in boundary lines by acquiescence or agreement, the owner of the
property being claimed must do something beyond mere passive conduct. Britney v. Swan Lake
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Cabin Corp., 795 N.W.2d 867, 872 (Minn. Ct. App. 2011). There must be some active conduct
from which one could reasonably infer the landowner’s assent to a change in the boundary line.
Id.[18] These circumstances are not present here—and Derry’s encroachment would not defease
Unpingco of title, were these tests to apply.
[19] Derry argues the protections against title defeasance in Guam’s Land Title Registration
Act is irrelevant to assessing this claim as there is no attempt by Derry to claim or defease
Unpingco’s land title. Appellee’s Br. at 15-16 (Jan. 13, 2020). Even if Derry, however, is not
claiming title to a portion of Unpingco’s property, his encroachment is an unauthorized intrusion
and encumbrance upon the property. As we have held, no one may claim “any estate, interest,
claim, lien, or demand of any kind or nature whatsoever, against the land so ordered registered or
any part thereof.” Pelowski, 2000 Guam 34 ¶ 30 (quoting 21 GCA § 29117). Even if Derry’s
encroachment is found unintentional or negligent, Unpingco holds title free from all encumbrances
except those noted on his certificate of title. At present, there are no encumbrances on Unpingco’s
certificate of title. Unpingco, under our Land Title Registration Act, is entitled to maintain only
the encumbrances currently listed on his certificate of title, i.e., a property free of encumbrances.
The present record discloses no circumstances that would justify denying Unpingco equitable
relief to compel removal of the encroachment.
[20] Since lands registered under the Land Title Registration Act are indefeasible, absent
potential aforementioned exceptions, the three-year statute of limitations for trespass actions set
forth in 7 GCA § 11305(b) is inapplicable to trespass actions on Torrens-registered land. We hold
that the trial court erred in granting summary judgment as Unpingco’s complaint of trespass is not
time-barred. Unpingco may proceed with his complaint for injunctive relief and damages against
Derry.
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[21] Unpingco also argues his complaint is not time-barred as there are genuine issues of
material fact needing resolution by a fact-finder, in particular: whether the excess water drainage
from Derry’s property created an ongoing trespass; whether the discovery rule tolled Unpingco’s
claims; and whether there was evidence of fraud. Appellant’s Br. at 5-8; Appellant’s Reply Br. at
5-7 (Jan. 24, 2020). “As a general appellate principle, a court will not address issues unnecessary
to the resolution of the case before it.” Hemlani v. Hemlani, 2015 Guam 16 ¶ 33. Since we
determine this case on other grounds and remand to the trial court for further proceedings, we need
not reach the merits of those issues.
V. CONCLUSION
[22] We REVERSE the grant of summary judgment and REMAND to the trial court for further
proceedings not inconsistent with this opinion.
/s/ /s/
ROBERT J. TORRES KATHERINE A. MARAMAN
Associate Justice Associate Justice
/s/
F. PHILIP CARBULLIDO
Chief Justice