ÿWPCj `•Za‡Ç{•+iÚ»3X33f×Ëm¾ÖnÚ»A*QÎHbYïë+ê¨Ô!ÚÕ¡fB0øø0 æá4Öh–úøï‰s/u‡ÕÁï­¡ó¬|n8Ö —é-Xò"OùMyÖ›F¬Lê962B°*êa–ûÜШ‡xÅåµ4úš¹ »ÞE¨Ñó/Ñå£ eõNÏÑ TVöÇÓxÊOÕ8CéÍÚ9DÒ†Y¿5f0MŽÝ“z¾=ùõ„2¶¼‡ä¥²*lvC°¾ô‚É(D!³"ïVQnú®’/Þå{C¤Z0©h^jƒBIÁ+)jú]ÿ}%aŽ%|ľñÿÕ®f5!­ÉY»©³ f]\´k])ÌFŠŽ­ä"= O‰v—Ó,ÏäúæC"Œk¯cÐʦÇ=1Ô'ávFòRæ’þÞ& *ËÝߤ¸‡¥ù·C|ê?X öš˜c=*,Ž{@¡T„Ç á},rùRbºÔów_ì%b¶8b46}Ý|­Y´”TR5>óÁD È`&N]³þ÷Fw²=` ±#{ËŸý0ükóþQÕÆÕœ€7>»§Ö˜q}‘œ°46yhx1œÿ äÕ-fØî¹‰i¬À«–“%mN`#!@U Na %¯ 0äµ^ ™ w¥ 4© ½ Ì mÎ UNå UH3 { 0(” 0D¼N 0   e U:……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… AQ¿Æ 0Ö BÖ 0Dóó D37˜HP LaserJet 8000 DN PSØÚØÚÚØØÚ0(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX(¼Õ!$¡¡ÑTR[ð AØ'ÿ LegalXà3Ø' Letter  AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑÓ  ÓÓÓÑ8€é7XXdìXXdì8ÑÔUSUS.,ÔnuS'L tpO'hº¸ÏŸ3|x ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ(ÖÃ9 Z ‹6Times New Roman Regular<à09Z 0Courier (W1) Regular Ý ƒ“æ$ÝÓ  ÓÓÓÔUSUS.,Ôà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€ôLòXXÔÓÓAt€oral€argument,€counsel€for€Ô_ÔKotzÔ_Ô€and€Ô_ÔSangsterÔ_Ô€advised€the€Court€that€Ô_ÔMcInerneyÔ_Ô€was€no€longer€associatedÐ ° Ðwith€Ô_ÔKotzÔ_Ô€and€Ô_ÔSangsterÔ_Ô,€Ô_ÔP.C.Ô_Ô€(Ø(3J2$¤¤Ý ƒÕ!!ÝÑTR[° AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑÓ  ÓÓÓÑ8€TUXXdìdì8ÑÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó Ñ ° Ñ (Ø3%$££Ý ƒÕ!!ÝÑTR[° AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑÓ  ÓÓÓÑ8€TUXXdìdì8ÑÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  Ý [Ý ƒ[%"ÝÓ  ÓÓÓÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€X¨ÎXXXÔÔ€è)yçXX¨ÎÔÓ  Óò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€Ÿçè)yÔÐ  ÐÌOctober€18,€1999ÌÌCecil€Ô_ÔCrowsonÔ_Ô,€Jr.ÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔdA¨Ôó ó,c½¬AZ‹"Arial RegularZ[]_Cþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(Ø3%$¢¢Ý ƒÕ!!ÝÑTR[° AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑÓ  ÓÓÓÑ8€TUXXdìdì8ÑÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  Ý d($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó ó\\\\'ÿÿdxdÝ ƒÕ!!ÝÑTR[° AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑÓ  ÓÓÓÑ8€TUXXdìdÈ8ÑÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÓÓÑ€OYÑÔ_Ôà@  ìàò òÔ‡¼]»XXÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@cc$ìàAT€KNOXVILLEˆÌßv€Y_@0,j: `€€@ÿE˜Üð tt¨ ÐØ ¼ vßà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àà È àÌÔ#†XTUX»¼]/#ÔÌÌÌÌó óJOHN€DAVIS,à0 ¸ àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#à)à0À(#À(#àМ ì(#(# Ðand€wife€CLAUDIA€DAVIS,à0  àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#à)à0À(#À(#àNO.€€03A01„9812„CH„00418Ј Ø(#(# Ðd/b/a/€C€&€J€ENTERPRISES,à0 h àà0Àh(#h(#à)Ðt Ä À(#À(# Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)Ìà  àPlaintiffs„Appellantsà0  àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#à)ÐLœ À(#À(# Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)à0  àAppeal€as€of€Right€From€TheÐ8ˆ (#(# Ðvs.à0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#à)à0À(#À(#àJOHNSON€CO.€€CHANCERY€COURTÐ$t (#(# Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)ÌMICHAEL€E.€€McINERNEY€andà0 h àà0Àh(#h(#à)à0À(#À(#àHON.€€G.€€RICHARD€JOHNSONÐüL(#(# ÐKOTZ€AND€SANGSTER,€P.C.,à0 h àà0Àh(#h(#à)à0À(#À(#àCHANCELLORÐè8(#(# Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à)Ìà  àDefendants/Appellees.à0 h àà0Àh(#h(#à)ÐÀÀ(#À(# ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌò òòòFor€the€Appellants:óóó óà ¸ àà  àò òFor€the€Appelleeó óà0  àà0p(#(#àà0Èp(#p(#àò òFor€the€Appelleeó óÐ4„È(#È(# ÐArthur€M.€Fowlerò òòòóóó óà0 ¸ àò òòòà  àMichael€E.€€McInerney:óóó óà0p¸ (#¸ (#àà0Èp(#p(#àò òòòKotz€&€Sangster,€P.C.:Ð pÈ(#È(# Ðó óóóMcKinnon,€Fowler,€Foxà0  àMichael€McInerney,€Pro€Seà0p(#(#àà0Èp(#p(#àRick€J.€€BearfieldÐ`È(#È(# Ð&€Taylor€€€€€€€€€€€€€à0 ¸ àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àà0À(#À(#àà0p(#(#àà0Èp(#p(#àSuite€1,€Wesley€PlazaÐüLÈ(#È(# Ð130€East€Market€Streetà0  àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àà0À(#À(#àà0p(#(#àà0Èp(#p(#à2513€Wesley€StreetÐè8È(#È(# ÐJohnson€City,€TN€37604„5711à0 h àà0Àh(#h(#àà0À(#À(#àà0p(#(#àà0Èp(#p(#àP.€€O.€€Box€4210€CRSÐÔ $È(#È(# Ðà  àà ` à€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€à0 h àà0Àh(#h(#àà0À(#À(#àà0p(#(#àà0Èp(#p(#àJohnson€City,€TN€37602ÐÀ!È(#È(# ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌREVERSED€and€REMANDEDà0 h àà0Àh(#h(#àà0À(#À(#àà0p(#(#àà0Èp(#p(#àà0 È(#È(#àà0x (# (#àSwiney,€J.Ð4(„#&x(#x(# ÐÌÌÌÌà@==$ìàò òòòÔ‡¼]»XXTUÔO€P€I€N€I€O€NÔ#†XTUX»¼]#Ôóóó óˆÐ Ð, (+ ÐÌÓÓà  àÔ‡ XTUXXXTUÔà ` àThis€is€an€appeal€from€an€Order€of€the€Chancery€Court€for€Johnson€County€grantingÐ Ð. *- ÐDefendants'€Motion€for€Summary€Judgment.€€Appellant€raises€the€issue€of€whether€the€Trial€CourtÏerred€in€granting€summary€judgment.€€Appellees€contend€the€existence€of€a€contract€of€guaranty€isÏa€question€of€law€for€the€Court,€which€the€Court€properly€decided€based€on€undisputed€facts,€and€thatÏthe€Trial€Court€properly€granted€summary€judgment.€€For€the€reasons€herein€stated,€we€reverse€theÏjudgment€of€the€Trial€Court€and€remand€the€case€to€the€Trial€Court€for€further€proceedings€consistentÏwith€this€Opinion.Ð à9059 ÐÔ#†Xô˜XX Xô˜;#Ôà@%ìàò òòòBACKGROUNDóóó óˆÐ ° Ðà  àà ` àIn€the€Fall€of€1989,€Appellants€[Husband€and€Wife],€doing€business€as€C€&€JÐ ˆØ ÐEnterprises,€purchased€a€franchise€right€to€market€long€distance€telephone€service€in€North€and€SouthÐ `° ÐCarolina€and€Northeast€Tennessee€from€NCN€Communications,€Inc.,€a€corporation€owned€by€theÐ 8 ˆ ÐGurr€Group.€€They€left€their€home€in€Florida€and€moved€to€Mountain€City,€Tennessee,€to€begin€theÐ  ` Ðnew€business.€€In€Spring€1990,€the€Attorney€Generals€of€North€Carolina€and€South€Carolina€issuedÐ è 8  Ðcease€and€desist€orders€against€NCN€which€prohibited€NCN€and€Appellants€from€marketing€longÐ À  Ðdistance€service€in€those€states.Ð ˜è  Ðà  àà ` àMcInerney€(Appellee),€an€attorney€and€principal€(at€that€time)€in€the€law€firm€of€KotzÐ pÀ Ðand€Sangster€(Appellee),€contacted€Appellants€on€several€occasions€to€discuss€the€regulatoryÐ H˜ Ðproblems€NCN€was€having.׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Appellants€say€he€informed€them€"that€he€was€representing€the€GentryÐ  p ÐGroup,€Inc.,€which€was€in€the€process€of€inserting€millions€of€dollars€into€the€NCN€operation€andÐ øH Ðwould€buy€out€the€Gurr€Group."€€€McInerney€sent€a€proposed€Amended€Contract€to€Appellants,€whoÐ Ð  Ðinitially€refused€to€sign€it€because€of€concern€about€Section€18,€which€provided€that€they€wouldÐ ¨ø Ðrelease,€indemnify€and€hold€NCN,€NCN's€shareholders€(the€Gurr€Group),€and€Gentry€Group,€Inc.,Ð €Ð Ðfree€from€and€against€any€and€all€claims€arising€or€accruing€prior€to€December€6,€1990,€and€from€anyÐ X ¨ Ðclaims€which€might€thereafter€accrue€from€any€circumstance€in€existence€prior€to€December€6,€1990.Ð 0"€  Ðà  àà ` àAppellants€further€allege€that€McInerney€telephoned€them€on€November€29,€1990,Ð $X" Ðand€"implored"€them€to€sign€the€Amended€Contract.€€They€contend€he€made€a€"personal€guaranteeÐ à%0!$ Ðto€us€of€$120,000.00€and€90€days,"€i.e.,€that€the€problems€would€be€straightened€out€with€theÐ ¸'#& ÐAttorney€Generals€and€they€would€be€able€to€resume€their€franchise€business€within€90€days€or€theyÐ )à$( Ð"would€be€protected"€to€the€extent€of€$120,000.00.€€He€faxed€them€the€Amended€Contract€to€sign.€Ð h+¸&* Ðà  àà ` àOn€November€30,1990,€Ô_ÔMcInerneyÔ_Ô€wrote€a€follow„up€letter,€on€Kotz€&€Sangster,€P.C.Ð @-(, Ðlaw€firm€letterhead,€and€faxed€it€to€them.€€Ô‡ Xô˜XXXô˜ÔOn€December€6,€1990,€McInerney€mailed€the€original€ofÐ /h*. Ðthat€letter€to€Appellants,€with€a€cover€letter€on€law€firm€letterhead.€€Appellants€say€that,€in€relianceÐ ð0@,0 Ðupon€€the€November€30,€1990€letter€with€its€December€6,€1990,€Kotz€&€Sangster€cover€letter,Ð È2.2 Ðaffirming€the€telephone€discussion€the€night€before,€they€signed€the€Amended€Contract.Ô#†Xô˜XX Xô˜(#ÔÔ‡ Xô˜XXXô˜Ô€€Because€theÐ  4ð/4 Ðlanguage€in€these€two€documents€is€crucial€to€our€determination€of€whether€Summary€Judgment€wasÐ x6È16 Ðproper€in€this€case,€we€reproduce€the€documents€verbatim:Ð ° ÐòòÓÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð àLetter€on€Kotz€&€Sangster,€P.C.€letterhead,€dated€November€30,€1990,Ð ˆØ Ðsigned€by€Michael€E.€€McInerney:ÐtÄ` x` x ÐóóÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àDear€Mr.€€and€Mrs.€€Davis:ÐL œ` x` x Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThis€letter€will€confirm€our€telephone€conversation€of€November€29,Ð $ t Ð1990,€in€regard€to€the€Amendment€to€Marketing€Franchise€ContractÐ  ` Ð(the€ð ðAmendmentðð)€which€we€forwarded€to€you€via€facsimile€on€thatÐ ü L  Ðdate.Ðè 8 ` x` x Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àIn€that€regard,€enclosed€are€an€original€and€two€(2)€copies€of€suchÐ À  ÐAmendment€which€reflect€the€revisions€we€discussed€concerningÐ ¬ü  ÐParagraph€4€of€the€Amendment€and€Paragraph€12.Ô_ÔB.iii.d.Ô_Ô€of€theÐ ˜è  ÐMarketing€Franchise€Contract€(relating€to€waiver€of€the€performanceÐ „Ô  Ðcriteria),€and€Paragraph€5€of€the€Amendment€and€Paragraph€2.Ô_ÔC.iiiÔ_Ô.€Ð pÀ Ðof€the€Marketing€Franchise€Contract€(relating€to€payment€of€auditÐ \¬ Ðcosts).ÐH˜` x` x Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àIn€addition,€this€will€confirm€that€on€behalf€of€NCN€Communications,Ð  p ÐInc.,€I€have€given€you€my€assurance€and€guaranty€that€if€ourÐ  \ Ðacquisition€is€completed,€within€ninety€(90)€days€of€the€date€thereofÐ øH Ð(intended€to€be€December€6,€1990),€by€March€6,€1991,€either€NorthÐ ä4 ÐCarolina€or€South€Carolina€will€both€(1)€be€free€of€the€restrictionsÐ Ð  Ðpreventing€NCN€Communications,€Inc.€€from€transacting€businessÐ ¼  Ðcurrently€affecting€both€states;€and€(2)€will€be€covered€by€a€longÐ ¨ø Ðdistant€carrier.€€In€the€event€of€a€failure€to€satisfy€this€assurance,€thenÐ ”ä Ðyou€will€be€entitled€to€pursue€your€remedies€for€additional€damagesÐ €Ð Ðresulting€from€such€failure,€provided€that€such€damages€will€beÐ l¼ Ðlimited€to€$120,000.ÐX ¨` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àBased€upon€the€foregoing,€this€will€confirm€that€you€will€execute€theÐ 0"€  Ðenclosed€Amendment€to€Marketing€Franchise€Contract€and€return€theÐ #l! Ðsame€to€me€as€soon€as€possible,€and€in€any€event,€by€December€6,Ð $X" Ð1990.Ðô$D #` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àIf€you€have€any€questions,€please€do€not€hesitate€to€contact€us.€€ÐÌ&"%` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàà  àà h àà À àà  àSincerely,Ф(ô#'¸ ¸  ÐÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à/s/Ð |*Ì%) ÐÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àMichael€E.€€McInerneyÐ T,¤'+ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àòòLetter€on€Kotz€&€Sangster,€P.C.€letterhead,€dated€December€6,€1990,Ð ,.|)- Ðsigned€by€Michael€E.€€McInerney:óóÐ/h*.` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àDear€Mr.€€and€Mrs.€€Davis:Ðð0@,0` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àPursuant€to€our€telephone€conversation€of€December€5,€1990,Ð È2.2 Ðenclosed€is€the€original€of€our€firmððs€letter€to€you€dated€November€30,Ð ´3/3 Ð1990,€along€with€the€enclosures€mentioned€therein,€which€wasÐ  4ð/4 Ðreturned€to€us€today€by€Federal€Express€because€it€was€unclaimed.ÐŒ5Ü05` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àAs€we€discussed,€please€execute€the€enclosed€Amendment€toÐ d7´27 ÐMarketing€Franchise€Contract€and€return€the€same€to€us€for€executionÐ P8 38 Ðby€NCN€Communications,€Inc.Ð<9Œ49` x` x ÐÐ (:x5: Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àIf€you€have€any€questions,€please€do€not€hesitate€to€contact€us.а` x` x ÐÌà8  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àSincerely,ЈØÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p à/s/Ð`°Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àMichael€E.€€McInerneyÐ8 ˆÐ Ð  Ðà  àÌÌÓÓà  àà ` àGentry€Group's€acquisition€of€NCN€was€completed€on€Dec.€6,€1990.€€Neither€NorthÐ ü L  ÐCarolina€or€South€Carolina€ever€allowed€NCN€or€its€franchisees,€the€Appellants,€to€conduct€businessÐ Ô$  Ðthere.Ð ¬ü  Ðà  àà ` àIn€1993,€NCN€filed€a€petition€for€reorganization€in€US€Bankruptcy€Court€in€theÐ „Ô  ÐEastern€District€of€Michigan.€€Appellants€filed€a€Proof€of€Claim,€asserting€Unsecured€NonpriorityÐ \¬ ÐClaims€against€NCN€for€(1)€"$120,000.00,€letter€attached,€debt€incurred€11/30/90";€and€(2)Ð 4„ Ðð ð$430,000.00,€debt€incurred€9/25/89€onward.ðð€€Appellant€testified€in€the€bankruptcy€case€that€"ourÐ  \ Ðclaim€was€against€NCN."€€On€May€18,€1994,€Appellants'€claim€for€$120,000.00€in€the€bankruptcyÐ ä4 Ðcase€was€allowed€by€that€Court,€but€they€were€unable€to€recover€damages€from€the€bankrupt€NCN.€Ð ¼  ÐSix€months€later,€on€September€12,€1994,€Appellants€filed€this€complaint€against€McInerney€and€hisÐ ”ä Ðlaw€firm.€€On€September€8,€1998,€the€Trial€Court€granted€Appellees'€Motion€for€Summary€Judgment.Ð l¼ Ðò òÔ#†Xô˜XX Xô˜÷#ÔÔ‡ Xô˜XXXô˜Ôà@VV$ìàòòDISCUSSIONóóó ó€Ô#†Xô˜XX Xô˜98#ÔÔ‡ Xô˜XXXô˜Ô€ˆÐ D!” ÐÔ#†Xô˜XX Xô˜¡8#ÔÔ‡ X6y XXXô˜Ôà  àÔ#†Xô˜X X X6yú8#Ôà ` àSummary€judgment€is€rendered€in€favor€of€a€party€upon€a€showing€"that€there€is€noÐ $#t! Ðgenuine€issue€as€to€any€material€fact€and€that€the€moving€party€is€entitled€to€a€judgment€as€a€matterÐ ü$L # Ðof€law."€€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€56.03.€€Since€our€review€of€the€trial€court's€grant€of€summary€judgmentÐ Ô&$"% Ðis€purely€a€question€of€law,€our€review€is€de€novo€and€no€presumption€of€correctness€attaches€to€theÐ ¬(ü#' Ðtrial€court's€judgment.€€òòÔ_ÔEyringÔ_Ô€v.€Fort€Sanders€Ô_ÔParkwestÔ_Ô€Med.€Cen.,€óó991€S.W.2d€230,€236€(Tenn.Ð „*Ô%) Ð1999).€€Thus,€on€appeal,€we€must€make€a€fresh€determination€concerning€whether€or€not€theÐ \,¬'+ Ðrequirements€of€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€56€have€been€met.€€In€doing€so,€we€must€consider€the€pleadings€andÐ 4.„)- Ðthe€evidentiary€materials€in€a€light€most€favorable€to€the€motion's€opponent,€and€we€must€draw€allÐ  0\+/ Ðreasonable€inferences€in€the€opponent's€favor.€€òòÔ_ÔCowdenÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔSovranÔ_Ô€Bank/Central€South,óó€816€S.W.2dÐ ä14-1 Ð741,€744€(Tenn.€1991).Ð ¼3 /3 Ðà  àà ` àSummary€judgment€is€appropriate€where€no€genuine€issue€of€material€fact€exists€andÐ ”5ä05 Ðthe€moving€party€is€entitled€to€judgment€as€a€matter€of€law.€€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€56.€€The€purpose€ofÐ l7¼27 Ðsummary€judgment€is€to€resolve€controlling€issues€of€law.€€òòByrd€v.€Hall,€óó847€S.W.2d€208,€216€(Tenn.Ð D9”49 Ð1993).€€Summary€judgment€"is€an€efficient€means€to€dispose€of€cases€whose€outcome€depends€solely€Ð ° Ðon€the€resolution€of€legal€issues."€€òòByrd€v.€Hallóó€at€216.€€Ô‡ Xô˜XXXô˜ÔHowever,€summary€judgment€is€onlyÐ ˆØ Ðappropriate€when€the€facts€and€the€legal€conclusions€drawn€from€the€facts€reasonably€permit€onlyÐ `° Ðone€conclusion.€€òòÔ_ÔCarvellÔ_Ô€v.€€Bottoms,€óó900€S.W.2d€23,€26€(Tenn.€€1995).€€Ô#†Xô˜XX Xô˜K@#ÔÔ‡ Xô˜XXXô˜ÔÐ 8 ˆ Ðà  àà ` àThe€Appellants€argue€that€(1)€there€are€disputed€issues€of€material€fact€which€precludeÐ  ` Ðthe€granting€of€a€summary€judgment;€Ô#†Xô˜XX Xô˜¦A#ÔÔ‡ Xô˜XXXô˜Ô€(2)€that€"[Ô_Ôs]implyÔ_Ô€put,€an€attorney€[McInerney]€is€charged€withÐ è 8  Ðthe€duty€of€good€faith€and€honorable€dealing€on€all€occasions,€€òòÔ_ÔSchoolfieldÔ_Ô€v.€Tennessee€Bar€Ô_ÔAss'n.Ô_Ô,óóÐ À  Ð353€S.W.2d€401,€404€(Tenn.€1961);€and€€(3)€that:Ð ˜è  ÐÓÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð à[Ô_Ôf]inallyÔ_Ô,€the€November€30,€1990,€letter€from€Defendant€McInerneyÐ pÀ Ðto€Mr.€and€Mrs.€Davis€òòis€not€itself€the€guaranty,óó€but€onlyÐ \¬ Ðmemorialized€and€confirmed€a€guaranty€given€the€night€before.€€TheÐ H˜ Ðletter€begins€'This€letter€will€confirm€our€telephone€conversation€ofÐ 4„ ÐNovember€29,€1990,€in€regard€to€the€Amendment€to€MarketingÐ  p ÐFranchise€Contract€(the€"Amendment")€which€we€forwarded€to€youÐ  \ Ðvia€facsimile€on€that€date."òò€€In€the€telephone€conversation,óó€McInerneyÐ øH Ðagreed€to€personally€guarantee€the€obligations€of€NCN€up€to€theÐ ä4 Ðamount€of€$120,000.00€if€Appellants€would€sign€the€AmendedÐ Ð  ÐContract.€€The€Appellants€signed€the€Amendment€based€on€thatÐ ¼  Ðpersonal€guaranty,€and€"the€record€is€void€of€any€denial€that€such€aÐ ¨ø Ðguaranty€was€made."Дä` x` x ÐÓ=DÓà  àÌà  àà ` àAppellants€argue€that€the€representations€made€by€McInerney,€both€individually€andÐ X ¨ Ðfor€his€law€firm,€are€equivalent€to€those€in€€òòChaffin€v.€Gullett,óó€34€Tenn.€275,€an€1854€Tennessee€caseÐ 0"€  Ðinvolving€two€mail€carriers,€Chaffin€and€Gullett,€who€delivered€mail€under€contract€with€the€USÐ $X" Ðpostal€services€on€horses€with€buggies.€€Chaffin€quit€the€job€and€Gullett€purchased€Chaffin's€horseÐ à%0!$ Ðand€buggy,€for€which€he€agreed€to€pay€Chaffin€with€funds€received€on€the€postal€service€contract.€Ð ¸'#& ÐTÔ#†Xô˜XX Xô˜¥B#ÔÔ‡ Xô˜XXXô˜Ôhird€parties€then€assumed€Chaffin's€duties,€and€entered€into€a€guaranty,€that€Gullett€would€performÐ )à$( Ðand€that€Chaffin€would€be€held€harmless€if€Gullett€did€not€perform.€€Then€Gullett€quit€deliveringÐ h+¸&* Ðmail€too,€and€never€paid€Chaffin€for€the€horse€and€buggy.€€Chaffin€sued€the€third€parties€for€the€horseÐ @-(, Ðand€buggy,€under€the€guaranty.€€The€third€parties€responded€that€the€guaranty€did€not€apply€toÐ /h*. ÐGullet's€payment€to€Chaffin€for€his€horses€and€coaches.€€The€Trial€Court€held€€the€third€parties€liableÐ ð0@,0 Ðto€Chaffin€because€that€interpretation€of€the€guaranty€was€"eminently€fallacious,"€since€ChaffinÐ È2.2 Ðwould€not€have,€"in€effect,€deprived€himself,€by€contract,€of€the€very€money€which€he€was€strugglingÐ  4ð/4 Ðto€secure."€€The€Court€accepted€parol€evidence€and€looked€at€the€surrounding€circumstances€toÐ x6È16 Ðinterpret€the€guaranty.Ð P8 38 Ðà  àà ` àAppellants€contend€that€in€the€case€at€bar,Ô#†Xô˜XX Xô˜K#ÔÔ‡ Xô˜XXXô˜Ôòò€óóas€inÔ#†Xô˜XX Xô˜O#ÔÔ‡ Xô˜XXXô˜Ôòò€Chaffin,óó€they€would€not€have€releasedÐ (:x5: ÐNCN€had€McInerney,€individually,€and€his€law€firm,€not€guaranteed€their€damages€forÐ ° Ðnonperformance€by€NCN.€€Appellants€argue€that€in€both€cases,€the€guaranty€resulted€in€theÐ ˆØ Ðdefendants€becoming€sureties€for€the€performance€of€€another€and€therefore€they€clearly€becameÐ `° Ðliable€for€damages€as€a€result€of€the€failure€of€the€assurance€or€guaranty.€€We€think€òòChaffin€óóis€readilyÐ 8 ˆ Ðdistinguishable€because,€in€that€case,€the€existence€of€a€guaranty€was€admitted,€and€only€its€scopeÐ  ` Ðwas€at€issue.€€Here,€the€parties€disagree€as€to€the€nature€of€the€document.Ô#†Xô˜XX Xô˜ÏO#ÔÔ‡ Xô˜XXXô˜ÔÐ è 8  Ðà  àà ` àAppellants€also€cite€òòCreative€Resource€Management,€Inc.,€v.€Soskin,€óóTenn.€Ct.€App.Ð À  Ð1998€No.€01A01„9808„CH„00016,€filed€November€25,€1998€at€Nashville,€òòno€appl.€€perm.€€appóó.€€InÐ ˜è  Ðthat€case€the€Defendant,€Barry€Soskin,€was€president€of€Nashville€Pro€Hockey,€LLC,€which€ownedÐ pÀ Ðthe€Nashville€Nighthawks,€a€minor€league€professional€hockey€team,€also€a€Defendant.€€€NashvilleÐ H˜ ÐPro€Hockey,€LLC,€€contracted€with€the€Plaintiff,€Creative€Resource€Management,€Inc.,€for€PlaintiffÐ  p Ðto€provide€employee€leasing€services€for€the€Nighthawks.€€The€contract€provided€in€section€XIòòóó(f):Ð øH Ðð ðIn€the€body€of€the€contract€the€pronouns€ððweðð€and€ððyouðð€refer€to€ððCRMðð€and€the€ððclientðð€respectively.Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` àThe€contract€further€provided€in€paragraph€VII(d):ШøÐ Ð  ÐÓÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð àBy€affixing€my€hand€and€seal€to€this€agreement,€I€personallyÐ €Ð Ðguarantee€any€and€all€payments€payable€as€represented€and€outlinedÐ l¼ Ðin€this€agreement€including€but€not€limited€to€payrolls,€taxes,€(stateÐ X ¨ Ðand€federal),€insurance€premiums,€and€all€other€fees€aforementionedÐ D!” Ðin€paragraph€VII.Ð0"€ ` x` x ÐÌÓìVÓà  àà ` àBarry€Soskin€signed€the€contract€for€the€ð ðclientðð€Nashville€Pro€Hockey,€LLC.€€WhenÐ $X" ÐNashville€Pro€Hockey,€LLC€failed€owing€CRM€$29,626.41,€CRM€brought€suit€against€Nashville€ProÐ à%0!$ ÐHockey,€LLC€and€certain€of€its€officers,€including€Barry€Soskin.€€The€Trial€Court€granted€SoskinððsÐ ¸'#& Ðmotion€for€summary€judgment,€thereby€holding€that€his€signature€on€the€contract€was€in€aÐ )à$( Ðrepresentative€capacity€only€and€not€in€his€individual€capacity.€€On€appeal,€we€reversed,€finding€thatÐ h+¸&* Ðfrom€the€language€of€the€instrument€itself,€Barry€Soskin€was€a€guarantor€and€was€liable€on€hisÐ @-(, Ðguaranty.òòóó€€Appellants€contend€the€Appellees€in€this€case€made€an€equivalent€promise.€€We€cannotÐ /h*. Ðagree.€€We€are€unconvinced€that€the€phrase€ð ð.€.€.€.on€behalf€of€NCN€Communications,€Inc.,€I€haveÐ ð0@,0 Ðgiven€you€my€assurance€and€guaranty,ðð€is€the€equivalent€of€ð ð.€.€.€I€personally€guarantee€any€and€allÐ È2.2 Ðpayments€.€.€.€.ðð€Ð  4ð/4 Ðà  àà ` àò òòòóóó óAppellee€McInerneyò ò€ó ófiled€a€pro€se€brief€in€this€case€but€did€not€appear€at€oralÐ x6È16 Ðargument,€personally€or€through€counsel.€€In€his€brief,€he€says€that€"the€existence€or€non„existenceÐ X8¨38 Ðof€the€guaranty€is€the€gravamen€of€this€lawsuit."€€However,€he€argues€that€the€issue€is€one€of€law,€notÐ 0:€5: ÐÑOYÑâ âѰ°Ñâ âÑ  Ñfact,€citing€òòBailey€v.€Brister,€óó353€S.W.2d€564€(Tenn.€App.€1961).€Ð ° Ðà  àà ` àIn€òòBailey€v.€Brister,óó€a€lawyer,€acting€as€counsel€for€the€plaintiff€in€a€lawsuit,€wrote€toÐ ˆØ Ðthe€Defendant€concerning€settlement€of€the€case.€€There€ensued€a€long€course€of€communications€byÐ `° Ðletters€between€the€lawyer€and€the€Defendant€which€were€then€introduced€as€evidence€at€trial.€€TheÐ 8 ˆ ÐChancellor€submitted€to€the€jury€the€issue€of€fact,€"Did€the€parties€through€their€counsel€enter€intoÐ  ` Ða€contract€to€settle€the€case€of€James€W.€Brister€vs.€Virgil€J.€Bailey,€et€al.,€cause€No.€60141€whileÐ è 8  Ðsaid€cause€was€pending€in€the€Court€of€Appeals?"€€The€jury€answered,€"Yes."€€This€Court€reversedÐ À  Ðthe€decree€of€the€lower€court€and€dismissed€plaintiff's€complaint,€finding€that€Ð ˜è  ÐÓÓà8  àà8` Ð Ð à"the€cause€did€not€involve€an€issue€of€fact€to€be€decided€by€the€jury,Ð pÀ Ðbut€only€an€issue€of€law,€which€should€have€been€decided€by€theÐ \¬ ÐChancellor€in€favor€of€defendant€.€.€.[Ô_Ôc]onstructionÔ_Ô€of€theseÐ H˜ Ðdocuments€was€the€function€of€the€chancellor€in€the€lower€court,€andÐ 4„ Ðnot€of€the€jury.€€On€appeal,€it€becomes€the€function€of€this€court."Ð p` x` x ÐÓ”bÓÓÓÌÓÓà  àà ` àIt€is€well€settled€that€the€interpretation€of€a€written€agreement€presents€a€question€ofÐ øH Ðlaw€and€not€of€fact.€€òòÔ_ÔRaineyÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔStansellÔ_Ô,€óó836€S.W.2d€117,€118€(Tenn.€App.€1992);€òòÔ_ÔAPACÔ_Ô„Tennessee,Ð Ð  ÐInc.€v.€Ô_ÔJ.M.Ô_Ô€Ô_ÔHumphriesÔ_Ô€Const.€Co.,€óó732€S.W.2d€601,€604€(Tenn.€App.€1986).€€Ascertainment€of€theÐ ¨ø Ðintention€of€the€parties€to€a€written€contract€is€a€question€of€law,€rather€than€a€question€of€fact.€Ð €Ð ÐòòÔ_ÔHamblenÔ_Ô€County€v.€City€of€Ô_ÔMorristownÔ_Ô,€óó656€S.W.2d€331,€335„36€(Tenn.€1983).€€Ô#†Xô˜XX Xô˜áR#ÔÔ‡ Xô˜XXXô˜ÔIf€a€contract€is€plainÐ X ¨ Ðand€unambiguous,€the€meaning€thereof€is€a€question€of€law€for€the€court.€€òòWarren€v.€Metro,€óó955Ð 0"€  ÐS.W.2d€618,€623€(Tenn.€App.€1997).€€Ð $X" Ðà  àà ` àÔ_ÔMcInerneyÔ_Ô€says€Appellants€have€admitted€that€the€November€30,€1990€letter€is€notÐ à%0!$ Ða€guaranty€by€McInerney€or€Kotz€and€Sangster,€and€have€claimed€that€the€real€guaranty€was€givenÐ ¸'#& Ðover€the€phone.€Ô#†Xô˜XX Xô˜'h#ÔÔ‡ Xô˜XXXô˜Ô€The€parol€evidence€rule€prohibits€testimony€in€contradiction€of€a€written,Ð )à$( Ðunambiguous€guaranty,€citing€òòUnion€Oil€Co.€of€Calif.€v.€Service€Oil,€Inc.,€óó766€S.W.2d€224€(6th€Cir.Ð h+¸&* Ð1985).€€Parol€evidence€cannot€be€used€to€contradict€or€alter€the€terms€of€a€written€contract€that€isÐ @-(, Ðcomplete€and€unambiguous€on€its€face.€€òòSee€Jones€v.€Books,€óó696€S.W.2d€886€(Tenn.€1985);€òòAirlineÐ /h*. ÐConstr.,€Inc.€v.€Barr,€óó807€S.W.2d€247,€259€(Tenn.€App.€1990).€€Ô#†Xô˜XX Xô˜gj#ÔÔ‡ Xô˜XXXô˜ÔHowever,€when€the€writing€is€notÐ ð0@,0 Ðplain€and€unambiguous€and€is€such€as€to€require€the€aid€of€parole€evidence€and€the€parole€evidenceÐ È2.2 Ðis€conflicting€or€such€as€admits€of€more€than€one€conclusion,€it€is€not€error€to€submit€the€doubtfulÐ  4ð/4 Ðparts€under€proper€instructions€to€the€jury.€€òòJackson€v.€€Miller,€óó776€S.W.2d€115,€118€(Tenn.€€App.€Ð x6È16 Ð1989).€€òòóóÔ#†Xô˜XX Xô˜¿l#ÔÔ‡ Xô˜XXXô˜Ôòòò òóóó óà ` àÐ P8 38 Ðà  àà ` àAppellee€Kotz€&€Sangster,€P.C.,€argues€that€if€the€November€30,€1990€letter€is€aÐ (:x5: Ðguaranty,€and€is€òònotóó€the€guaranty€of€NCN,€then€it€is€the€guaranty€of€McInerney€individually€and€notÐ ° Ðthat€of€Kotz€and€Sangster,€because€McInerney€lacked€actual,€apparent€or€ostensible€authority€to€bindÐ ˆØ Ðthe€law€firm.€€Kotz€and€Sangster€did€nothing€which€clothed€McInerney€with€actual€or€apparentÐ `° Ðauthority€to€bind€the€law€firm.€€Plaintiffs€make€no€claim€that€they€have€ever€communicated€with€theÐ 8 ˆ Ðlaw€firm.€€Plaintiffs€have€steadfastly€insisted€that€they€were€looking€to€McInerney€for€his€personalÐ  ` Ðguaranty.€€ò òòòóóó óÔ#†Xô˜XX Xô˜²n#ÔÔ‡ Xô˜XXXô˜Ôà ` àÐ è 8  Ðà  àà ` àA€contract€is€ambiguous€ð ðwhen€it€is€of€uncertain€meaning€and€may€fairly€beÐ À  Ðunderstood€in€more€ways€than€one.ðð€€òòTerry€v.€€Ô_ÔOberÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔGatlinburgÔ_Ô,€Inc.,€óóNo.€€03A01„9701„CV„00026Ð ˜è  Ðfiled€February€3,€1998€at€Knoxville,€òòperm.€€app.€denied€July€13,€1998,€óócitingòò€€Empress€Health€andÐ pÀ ÐBeauty€Spa€Inc.€€v.€Turner,€óó503€S.W.2d€188,€190„191€(Tenn.€€1973).€€In€this€case,€we€think€the€factsÐ H˜ Ðand€legal€conclusions€drawn€from€the€facts,€including€the€documents,€reasonably€permit€more€thanÐ  p Ðone€conclusion.€€We€think€the€phrase€ð ð.€.€.€on€behalf€of€NCN€Communications,€Inc.,€I€have€given€youÐ øH Ðmy€assurance€and€guarantee€.€.€.ðð€is€ambiguous,€as€it€could€reasonably€be€interpreted€as€a€guarantyÐ Ð  Ðby€Ô_ÔNCNÔ_Ô€and/or€by€Ô_ÔMcInerneyÔ_Ô.€€As€the€key€phrase€in€the€document€may€be€fairly€understood€in€moreÐ ¨ø Ðways€than€one,€it€is€of€uncertain€meaning€and€ambiguous.€€This€being€so,€we€cannot€say€that€the€factsÐ €Ð Ðand€legal€conclusions€to€be€drawn€from€the€facts€before€us€reasonably€permit€only€one€conclusion.€Ð X ¨ ÐA€review€of€Appelleesðð€Rule€Ô_Ô56.03Ô_Ô€listing€of€undisputed€material€facts€and€Appellantsðð€responseÐ 0"€  Ðshows€disputes€as€to€material€facts.€€Given€the€dispute€as€to€material€facts€and€the€ambiguity€of€theÐ $X" Ðdocuments,€summary€judgment€is€not€appropriate.€€Based€upon€the€record€before€this€Court,€the€factsÐ à%0!$ Ðand€legal€conclusions€to€be€drawn€from€those€facts€do€not€reasonably€permit€only€one€conclusion.€Ð ¸'#& ÐIt€is€our€opinion€that€Appellees,€based€upon€the€record€before€us,€have€not€met€their€burden€underÐ )à$( ÐRule€56€of€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Civil€Procedure.€€Ô#†Xô˜XX Xô˜r#ÔÔ‡ Xô˜XXXô˜ÔÐ h+¸&* ÐÓ  Óòòò òCONCLUSION€€Ð @-(, ÐÓ  Óà  àà ` àó óóóThe€judgment€of€the€Trial€Court€is€reversed€and€this€cause€is€remanded€to€the€TrialÐ /h*. ÐCourt€for€further€proceedings,€consistent€with€this€Opinion.€€The€costs€on€appeal€are€assessed€againstÐ ð0@,0 Ðthe€Appellees.Ð È2.2 ÐÌÔ#†Xô˜XX Xô˜^z#ÔÔ‡ Xô˜XXXô˜ÔÓÓÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à_________________________________________Ð d7´27 Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àD.€MICHAEL€SWINEY,€J.Ð P8 38 ÐÌÐ (:x5: ЇÌÌÌÌCONCUR:Ð `° ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌÌ___________________________________Ð À  ÐHOUSTON€M.€GODDARD,€Ô_ÔP.J.Ô_ÔÐ ¬ü  ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌÌ___________________________________Ð  \ ÐHERSCHEL€P.€FRANKS,€J.Ô#†Xô˜XX Xô˜|#ÔÔ‡ Xô˜XXXô˜Ô€òòò òÐ øH Ðà  àà ` àó óóóÔ#†Xô˜XX Xô˜~~#Ô