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Citizens National Bank of Texas v. Dallas ATM Management Services, Inc., D/B/A Cash Carriers USA ( 2009 )


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  •                                    NO. 07-08-0011-CV
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE SEVENTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS
AT AMARILLO
PANEL D
JULY 15, 2009
______________________________
CITIZENS NATIONAL BANK OF TEXAS, APPELLANT
V.
DALLAS ATM MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.,
DBA CASH CARRIERS USA, APPELLEE
_________________________________
FROM THE 40TH DISTRICT COURT OF ELLIS COUNTY;
NO. 71,516; HONORABLE GENE KNIZE, JUDGE
_______________________________
Before QUINN, C.J., and CAMPBELL and PIRTLE, JJ.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Through one issue, appellant Citizens National Bank of Texas appeals from the trial
court’s denial of its no-evidence motion for summary judgment filed against appellee Dallas
ATM Management Services, Inc. d/b/a Cash Carriers USA (“Cash Carriers”). We will
dismiss the appeal.
Background
Cash Carriers sued Citizens, alleging breach of a contract between them. After
discovery, including several depositions, Citizens filed a no-evidence motion for summary
judgment, through which it asserted Cash Carriers had no evidence of its damages.1 The
trial court heard argument at a hearing and denied Citizens’ motion.
The case was tried to a jury, which returned a verdict in favor of Cash Carriers. The
trial court entered judgment accordingly. On appeal, Citizens presents argument based
on the summary judgment record, and contends the trial court erred by denying its no-
evidence motion for summary judgment.
Analysis
We must consider our jurisdiction over an appeal, sua sponte if necessary. See
Buffalo Royalty Corp. v. Enron Corp.,
    906 S.W.2d 275
    , 277 (Tex.App.–Amarillo 1995, no
writ) (noting our obligation to consider jurisdiction sua sponte). As a general rule, appellate
courts do not have jurisdiction to review on appeal the denial of summary judgment.2
1
On appeal, the parties assert different characterizations of Citizens’ ground for
summary judgment. For purposes of this opinion, we adopt Citizens’ characterization. The
elements of a breach of contract claim are (1) the existence of a valid contract between
plaintiff and defendant; (2) the plaintiff’s performance or tender of performance; (3) the
defendant’s breach of the contract; and (4) the plaintiff’s damage as a result of the breach.
Frost Nat’l Bank v. Burge,
    29 S.W.3d 580
    , 593 (Tex.App.–Houston [14th Dist.] 2000, no
pet.).
2
Exceptions to the general rule exist. See ASEP USA, Inc. v. Cole,
    199 S.W.3d 369
    , 375 (Tex.App.–Houston [1st Dist.] 2006, no pet.) (noting exception when cross-
motions are filed and the court grants one); Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. §
51.014(a)(5) & (6) (Vernon 2008) (interlocutory appeals). No exception applies here.
2
Ackermann v. Vordenbaum,
    403 S.W.2d 362
    , 365 (Tex. 1966); Hines v. Comm’n for
Lawyer Discipline,
    28 S.W.3d 697
    , 700 (Tex.App.–Corpus Christi 2000, no pet.).
Specifically, when a motion for summary judgment is denied by the trial court and the case
is thereafter tried on its merits, the order denying the motion for summary judgment is not
reviewable on appeal.
    Ackermann, 403 S.W.2d at 365
    ; Tricon Tool & Supply, Inc., v.
Thumann,
    226 S.W.3d 494
    , 509 (Tex.App.–Houston [1st Dist.] 2006, pet. denied); Horton
v. Horton,
    965 S.W.2d 78
    , 88 (Tex.App.–Fort Worth 1998, no pet.).
The rule is the same for no-evidence motions for summary judgment as for
traditional motions, as the comment to Rule 166(a)(i) makes clear. Tex. R. Civ. P.
166(a)(i), cmt. (stating the denial of a no-evidence motion for summary judgment is no
more reviewable by appeal or mandamus than the denial of a traditional motion for
summary judgment); In re R.W.,
    129 S.W.3d 732
    , 744 (Tex.App.–Fort Worth 2004, pet.
denied);
    Hines, 28 S.W.3d at 700
    . In the instant case, a final judgment was rendered after
a jury trial. Thus, the issues in this case were tried on the merits and any order denying
Citizens’ motion for summary judgment is not subject to review on appeal.
    Ackermann, 403 S.W.2d at 364-65
    ; Carr v. Weiss,
    984 S.W.2d 753
    , 760 (Tex.App.–Amarillo 1999, pet.
denied). Accordingly, we dismiss the appeal.
James T. Campbell
Justice
3