Alexander v. Simmons

Decision Date17 January 1974
Docket NumberNo. 7291,7291
Citation90 Nev. 23,518 P.2d 160
PartiesAlvin G. ALEXANDER and Shirley A. Alexander, Appellants, v. Sylvia A. SIMMONS, Respondent.
CourtNevada Supreme Court

M. Gene Matteucci, Las Vegas, for appellants.

Alan R. Johns, Las Vegas, for respondent.

OPINION

PER CURIAM:

Sylvia Simmons brought an action against the appellants for money damages allegedly resulting from the latter's failure to perform certain repairs on residential premises sold to her. Appellants alleged that an agreement dated February 21, 1970 explained the complete understanding of the parties and that the appellants had performed each and every covenant and condition on their part. Sylvia in turn denied that the written contract between the parties represented their entire agreement and claimed that she had relied upon oral representations of the appellants to her detriment.

The lower court admitted evidence of collateral oral agreements, found that they were relied upon to the detriment of the respondent and awarded damages accordingly.

1. The appellants now contend that the trial court erred in admitting evidence of the oral agreements. The case law is clear that the mere existence of a written contract is insufficient to prevent a party from showing a separate and independent contemporaneous oral agreement. Douglass v. Thompson, 35 Nev. 196, 127 P. 561 (1912). Undoubtedly the existence of a separate oral agreement as to any matter on which a written contract is silent, and which is not inconsistent with its terms, may be proven by parol, if under the circumstances of the particular case it may properly be inferred that the parties did not intend the written paper to be a complete and final statement of the whole of the transaction between them. Seitz v. Brewers' Refrigerating Machine Co., 141 U.S. 510, 517, 12 S.Ct. 46, 35 L.Ed. 837 (1891).

2. We are unable to decide whether under the facts of this case the admission of parol evidence was erroneous because this court has not been favored with a transcript of the proceedings in the district court, nor have the appellants submitted a settled and approved statement of the evidence or proceedings. Turner v. Staggs, 89 Nev. 230, 510 P.2d 879 (1973); NRAP 10(c), (e). There has been no showing by the appellants that the judgment of the trial court was clearly erroneous or that it was not based upon substantial evidence. B & C Enterprises v. Utter, 88 Nev. 433, 498 P.2d 1327 (1972).

Affirmed.

To continue reading

Request your trial
13 cases
  • Johnson v. Johnson
    • United States
    • Supreme Court of Nevada
    • December 22, 1977
    ...See also, F.P.D., Inc. v. Long, 90 Nev. 27, 518 P.2d 155 (1974); Ute, Inc. v. Apfel, 90 Nev. 25, 518 P.2d 156 (1974); Alexander v. Simmons, 90 Nev. 23, 518 P.2d 160 (1974); Turner v. Staggs, 89 Nev. 230, 510 P.2d 879 However, the rule enunciated in Turner v. Staggs, supra, was not designed ......
  • Tore, Ltd. v. Church, 18775
    • United States
    • Supreme Court of Nevada
    • April 25, 1989
    ...may be proven by parol." Crow-Spieker # 23 v. Robinson, 97 Nev. 302, 305, 629 P.2d 1198, 1199 (1981) (quoting Alexander v. Simmons, 90 Nev. 23, 24, 518 P.2d 160, 161 (1974)). In this case, the lease extension agreement is silent as to any guaranty of Hobby Towne, Inc.'s lease obligations. G......
  • Martin Bloom Associates, Inc. v. Manzie
    • United States
    • U.S. District Court — District of Nevada
    • February 13, 1975
    ...presented on the merits. Plaintiff relies on the two letters as representing the complete agreement of the parties. In Alexander v. Simmons, 518 P.2d 160 (Nev.1974), plaintiff claimed that a written contract did not contain the complete agreement of the parties and that she had relied to he......
  • Kaldi v. FAMERS INS. EXCH.
    • United States
    • Supreme Court of Nevada
    • April 13, 2001
    ...may be proven by parol.'" Crow-Spieker # 23 v. Robinson, 97 Nev. 302, 305, 629 P.2d 1198, 1199 (1981) (quoting Alexander v. Simmons, 90 Nev. 23, 24, 518 P.2d 160, 161 (1974)). Here, however, the complaint does not allege that Kaldi and Farmers entered into a separate oral contract regarding......
  • Request a trial to view additional results

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT