Thursday, October 10, 2019

actions against the Commonwealth - laches and estoppel

Berry v. State Employees Retirement Board – Cmwlth. Court – October 9, 2019 – unreported**

Laches
“A party asserting the doctrine of laches must first show that there was a delay caused by the other party’s failure to exercise due diligence, and second, prejudice from that delay.” McGaffic v. City of New Castle, 74 A.3d 306, 317 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2013). 
A party asserting equitable estoppel against a Commonwealth agency must establish that: (1) the agency intentionally or negligently misrepresented a material fact; (2) the agency knew or had reason to know that the party would justifiably rely on the misrepresentation; and (3) the party acted to his or her detriment by justifiably relying on the misrepresentation. Carroll v. City of Philadelphia, Board of Pensions and Retirement, 735 A.2d 141, 144 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1999.
Equitable estoppel
A party asserting equitable estoppel against a Commonwealth agency must establish that: (1) the agency intentionally or negligently misrepresented a material fact; (2) the agency knew or had reason to know that the party would justifiably rely on the misrepresentation; and (3) the party acted to his or her detriment by justifiably relying on the misrepresentation. Carroll v. City of Philadelphia, Board of Pensions and Retirement, 735 A.2d 141, 144 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1999). 
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**An unreported Commonwealth Court case may not be cited binding precedent but can be cited for its persuasive value.  See 210 Pa. Code § 69.414(b) and Pa. R.A.P.  3716