Bellco Credit Union v. USA

Filing 127

ORDER granting 119 Plaintiff Bellco Credit Unions Motion to Bifurcate Issues of Liability from Computation Issues and Limit December 7 Trial to Issues of Liability. The trial in this matter shall be limited to issues of liability. Subsequent to the Courts decision on the issue of liability, the Court will consult with the parties regarding the most efficient and expedient manner of resolving any outstanding computational issues. by Judge Christine M. Arguello on 12/1/09.(erv, )

Download PDF
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLORADO Judge Christine M. Arguello Civil Action No. 08-cv-01071-CMA-KMT BELLCO CREDIT UNION, Plaintiff, v. THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Defendant. ORDER BIFURCATING LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION ISSUES This matter is before the Court on Plaintiff Bellco Credit Union's Motion to Bifurcate Issues of Liability from Computation Issues and Limit December 7 Trial to Issues of Liability (Doc. # 119) and the United States' Statement Regarding Bifurcation (Doc. # 118). Plaintiff's motion is granted. This is a tax case involving the principal question of whether Plaintiff is liable for taxes on various income streams. If the Court finds that Plaintiff is not liable for taxes on these income streams, then a subsidiary issue arises, i.e., what is the amount of any refund due to Bellco. At the final trial preparation conference, the Court asked the parties for their position on bifurcating these two issues and adjudicating only the tax liability issue at the bench trial scheduled to begin December 7, 2009. Bellco advocates bifurcation, arguing that it would promote efficiency and is consistent with the Tax Court's procedures in similar cases. The United States, by contrast, opposes bifurcation, contending that it may be difficult to distinguish substantive issues from computational issues. The United States also argues, as it claimed in its previously filed motion in limine (Doc. # 116), that Bellco has not disclosed information necessary to support certain refund computations. Separate trials for separate issues may be ordered "[f]or convenience, to avoid prejudice, or to expedite and economize." Fed. R. Civ. P. 42(b). The decision on bifurcation is left to the discretion of this Court. See Palace Exploration Co. v. Petroleum Development Co., 316 F.3d 1110, 1118-19 (10th Cir. 2003). The Court finds that bifurcation is appropriate in this case. A trial focused on the broad, substantive issues of liability avoids complications of detailed evidence addressed to specific calculations, and the Court's decision on liability may abate the need for much, if any, additional evidence on the specific refund amount. The Court finds that the interests of judicial economy and efficiency dictate that the substantive issue of liability be bifurcated from the computational issue of the amount of taxes/refund due. The Court understands that it is Bellco's burden to prove that it is entitled to a refund and the Court is sensitive to the United States' concern that there may be instances where it will be difficult to separate liability from computation, or where one piece of evidence or testimony bears on both questions. Therefore, the Court makes clear that nothing in this order shall shift the burden of proof or limit the parties' ability to put on all relevant and necessary evidence in support of their liability claims or defenses. Further, nothing in this order shall be interpreted as passing any judgment on the merits of the United States' outstanding motion in limine regarding the adequacy of Bellco's discovery disclosures (Doc. # 116). 2 Accordingly, it is ORDERED that Plaintiff Bellco Credit Union's Motion to Bifurcate Issues of Liability from Computation Issues and Limit December 7 Trial to Issues of Liability (Doc. # 119) is GRANTED. The trial in this matter shall be limited to issues of liability. Subsequent to the Court's decision on the issue of liability, the Court will consult with the parties regarding the most efficient and expedient manner of resolving any outstanding computational issues. DATED: December 1 , 2009 BY THE COURT: _______________________________ CHRISTINE M. ARGUELLO United States District Judge 3

Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.


Why Is My Information Online?