ÿWPC  Šðªéöã/½7PÂ\¿ó‰ðêx¼sÑÚN˜0"ëŠBW‘R6”ô0‘þO¸>¦“{gôÂ5/D‡!3ðýçáZú,´_ÙYw¤¾®NˆH×ï*rÎmÓz@@ª¯Ç< ×ö¿õɧ–@Þ4âdÛ™!Á¾¨Ñ ¶`®õp¢„ÄwDáák^V:®„ž)©O;:à†õ´ñöóXOèá¿DCJõ&e®]»sB±)U1@såÕæÍÐå=0ö»ú/J7Ì AB:n;¨N>´ óð}Œ—›Ì:†}ŠÚ¤)ré Ê™Á’í¶¸[‰ê>êsüL<†cÌãèÈ^¿ì š[sïÄN)Iç!]J„"»<¯Úòú{“Åã`•C¯K0>J4Y¡Ÿ;|éƒ'þ °5#hÅØz·yŽ _Ú«dïâcÉh<̯Î˺cÅÃ;ñm€åî‹uK0¡—âí,Lµ¿Í<Öw««7Kœ¹›z}¨Ãr®"xJ\0˜Øç¶¡Ô †‰‘¬uÉ}¶…L­~¼°öÆnÈr÷~1Ÿ ®‘°x&X×1ˆk‰¢=Âש¸ WdéeD\ÈÖt ¯Y c)`Y¥Š‘?<k9¢ vÏ7|ûÿæ£ ¼ Kn^W#ÁÂU*Nƒ %Ñ 0F×U&N ^ k ww 4{  ž m  L· 0© 0D¬ ð Nó-õõb"¸„w<E³:µµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµµ Bï˜HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 6ÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0(ÈhH  Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX(iñ$¡¡Ó  ÓÔUSUS.,Ô(í€"  Z6Times New Roman RegularG~+s 8n_+°k1˜ 3|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ €ESHAGHPOUREshaghpourMoyer(Y(2Ì¡$¤¤Ý ƒiñ!ÝÓ  ÓÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ€ôÀ”òXXÔà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó ùÝ ƒ Ì¡$ÝÓ  ÓÔUSUS.,ÔÔ€ôÀ”òXXÔà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€list€contained€violations€including:Ð ° ÐÌà8  à1.€Correct€the€location€of€the€positive€drain€to€remove€crawl€space€drainage€to€daylight.€€Gravel€asÐ 8ˆ Ðnecessary€the€foundation€walls€to€create€positive€flow€to€crawl€space€drain.ÐüLÐ Ð  Ðà8  à2.€Slope€landscape€so€as€to€provide€drainage€away€from€the€house.€€Remove€earth€as€needed€to€correctÐ À Ðgrade€to€construction€provisions.€€Curb€area€across€foundation€under€HVAC€supply€ducts€and€unitÐ „Ô Ðwhere€storm€water€drains€to€crawl€space€area.ÐH ˜Ð Ð  Ðà8  à3.€Complete€installing€two€approved€columns€where€tributary€beam€is€not€supported€at€intervalsÐ  \ Ðprovided€by€the€provisions.ÐÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  à4.€Correct€floor€undulation€in€kitchen€area€where€needed€to€level€out€floor.Д ä Ð Ð  Ðà8  à5.€Repair€nail€pops€and€seam€cracks€in€sheetrock€where€needed.ÐX ¨ Ð Ð  Ðà8  à6.€Repair€electrical€light€and€outlet€to€operate€as€per€National€Electrical€Code. #Ñ#€CXÿÿd#Ñ XÝ ƒ Ì¡$ÝÓ  ÓÔUSUS.,ÔÔ€ôÀ”òXXÔà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔIn€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€47„1„201(19),€Tennessee€adopted€the€Uniform€Commercial€Codeððs€definition€of€goodÐ ° Ðfaith,€ð ðhonesty€in€fact€in€the€conduct€or€transaction€concerned.ðð€ ®Ý ƒ Ì¡$ÝÓ  ÓÔUSUS.,ÔÔ€ôÀ”òXXÔà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔAt€oral€argument,€there€was€some€dispute€on€the€specificity€with€which€the€issue€may€have€been€raised€at€theÐ ° Ðhearing€on€the€motion€for€summary€judgment.€€It€is€unclear€from€the€record€before€us€whether€Mr.€Eshaghpourððs€problemÐ tÄ Ðwith€Old€Republicððs€evidentiary€support€for€their€motion€was€brought€to€the€attention€of€the€trial€court.€€We€have€noÐ 8ˆ Ðtranscript€of€the€argument,€and€the€trial€court€did€not€allude€to€this€issue€in€its€order.€€However,€it€is€clear€that€Mr.Ð üL ÐEshaghpour€argued€in€his€memorandum€in€opposition€to€summary€judgment€that€Old€Republic,€by€failing€to€presentÐ À Ðsworn€testimony€in€support€of€its€motion,€had€failed€to€meet€its€burden€of€proof€and€was€not€entitled€to€judgment. mÝ ƒ Ì¡$ÝÓ  ÓÔUSUS.,ÔÔ€ôÀ”òXXÔà  àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThis€courtððs€assessment€of€costs€on€appeal€in€no€way€prevents€the€trial€court€from€awarding€such€costs€paidÐ ° Ðby€Old€Republic€as€part€of€its€total€loss€and€expenses,€upon€appropriate€motion€and€proof. 0Ý ƒ Ì¡$ÝÓ  ÓÔUSUS.,ÔÔ€ôÀ”òXXÔà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔAs€described€earlier,€Old€Republicððs€claim€for€attorney€fees€was€supported€by€an€affidavit,€and€Mr.€EshaghpourÐ ° Ðfiled€no€response€or€objection€to€that€affidavit.€€Thus,€there€is€evidence€in€the€record€to€affirm€that€portion€of€theÐ tÄ Ðjudgment€awarding€attorney€fees€and,€therefore,€to€affirm€that€Old€Republic€suffered€damages€under€the€indemnityÐ 8ˆ Ðagreement. dÝ ƒiñ!ÝÓ  ÓÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ‡X?€XXXÔÔ‡¼_E»XX?€ÔÑ€zãÑà@ü ü ìàÔ#†X?€X»¼_Eh#ÔÔ‡îK„îXX?€ÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEˆÐ Ö& Ðà@¶¶ìàÔ#†X?€XîîK„Í#ÔÔ‡¼_E»XX?€ÔApril€13,€2000€SessionˆÐ üL ÐÌò òÓ  ÓOLD€REPUBLIC€SURETY€COMPANYòòóó€v.€MORRIS€ESHAGHPOURòòóóÔ#†X?€X»¼_E#Ôó óÐ  p ÐÓÞÓÌà@6 6 ìàò òAppeal€from€the€Circuit€Court€for€Davidson€CountyˆÐ  p Ðà@õ õ ìàNo.€98C„1087€€€€€€€€Walter€C.€Kurtz,€Judgeó óˆÐ  \ ÐÌÌà@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<Ï` A߈Ð Ð  ÐÌò òà@_ _ ìàNo.€M1999„01918„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CVó 󀄀Filed€November€30,€Ô_Ô2001Ô_ÔˆÐ Ë  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<¦` AßÐ §÷  ÐÌThe€defendant€purchased€a€building€permit€bond€from€the€plaintiff€surety€company€and€executed€anÐ ¢ò  Ðindemnity€agreement€to€hold€the€surety€harmless€against€all€loss,€liability€and€expenses€the€companyÐ ŽÞ Ðmight€sustain€on€the€bond.€€A€claim€was€made€against€the€bond€regarding€a€home€built€by€theÐ zÊ Ðdefendant.€The€surety€company€notified€the€defendant,€investigated€the€claim,€and€eventually€settledÐ f¶ Ðwith€the€claimant.€€In€this€lawsuit€to€collect€under€the€indemnity€agreement,€the€trial€court€grantedÐ R¢ Ðsummary€judgment€to€the€surety.€€The€defendant€argues€that€summary€judgment€was€inappropriateÐ >Ž Ðbecause€the€motion€was€not€properly€supported€according€to€the€Rules€of€Civil€Procedure€and,Ð *z Ðalternatively,€the€issue€of€whether€the€surety€acted€reasonably€and€in€good€faith€in€settling€the€claimÐ f Ðprecludes€summary€judgment.€€We€disagree€and€affirm€the€summary€judgment€on€the€issue€ofÐ R Ðliability,€but€remand€for€proof€on€total€damages.Ð î> ÐÌò òà  àTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Circuit€CourtÐ Æ Ðà@¹ ¹ ìàAffirmed€in€part,€Vacated€in€part€and€Remandedó óˆÐ ² ÐÌòòPatricia€J.€Cottrellóó€J.,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòWilliam€C.€Koch,€Jr.,óó€andÐ ŠÚ ÐòòWilliam€B.€Cain,€JJ.óó,€joined.Ð v Æ ÐÌTodd€E.€Panther,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Morris€Eshaghpour.Ð N"ž! ÐÌMelissa€Kurtz,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellee,€Old€Republic€Surety€Company.Ð &$v# ÐÌÌà@66'ìàò òOPINIONó óˆÐ ê&:"& ÐÌà  àThe€Defendant/Appellant,€Morris€Eshaghpour,€is€the€owner€of€Morris€EshaghpourÐ Â($( ÐConstruction€Company€(ð ðMECCðð).€€Plaintiff/Appellee,€Old€Republic€Surety€Company,€issued€aÐ ®)þ$) Ðsurety€bond€on€behalf€of€MECC€in€1990.€€The€permit€bond€was€required€by€the€MetropolitanÐ š*ê%* ÐGovernment€of€Nashville€and€Davidson€County;€the€government,€specifically,€the€Department€ofÐ †+Ö&+ ÐCodes€Administration,€was€the€obligee,€and€the€bond€was€ð ðfor€the€benefit€of€the€MetropolitanÐ r,Â', ÐGovernment,€and€for€the€benefit€of€the€owners€of€property€on€which€work€is€performed€by€theÐ ^-®(- ÐÑzãÑâ âÑ8€?€XXdìdÈ8Ñâ âÑ  ÑPrincipal€pursuant€to€a€permit€issued€under€this€bond€.€.€.€.ðð€€€Mr.€Eshaghpour€executed€an€indemnityÐ ° Ðagreement€in€which€he€agreed,€òòinter€aliaóó:Ð œì ÐÌà8  à(2)€To€indemnify€the€Company€[Old€Republic]€and€hold€it€harmless€against€all€loss,Ð tÄ Ðliability,€costs,€claim€damages,€and€expense,€internal€or€external€of€whatever€kind€andÐ `° Ðnature€including€but€not€limited€to€investigative,€accounting,€engineering,€the€fee€andÐ L œ Ðdisbursement€of€counsel€whether€salary,€retainer€or€otherwise€which€the€CompanyÐ 8 ˆ Ðmay€sustain€or€incur€for€or€by€reason€of€said€Company€writing€said€bond(s);Ð$ tÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  à(3)€If€requested,€to€place€the€Company€in€funds€immediately€to€meet€any€claim€orÐ ü L  Ðdemand€before€the€Company€shall€be€required€to€make€paymentÐè 8 Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àà ` à.€.€.€.à@ìì*ìàˆÐ À  ÐÌà8  à(7)€To€authorize€the€Company€to€adjust,€settle€or€compromise€any€claim,€demand,Ð ˜è  Ðsuit€or€judgment€upon€said€bond(s)€and€defend€such€suit€and€appeal€such€judgmentÐ „Ô  Ðor€at€its€election€to€have€the€case,€cross„action€or€proceeding,€or€any€part€of€it€or€themÐ pÀ Ðdismissed€or€any€appeal,€writ€of€error,€certiorari€or€any€part€thereto€dismissed€.€.€.€.Ð\¬Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àà ` à.€.€.€.Ð 4„ ÐÌà8  à(11)€In€the€event€of€any€payment€by€the€Company,€Indemnitors€agree€to€pay€theÐ  \ ÐCompany€interest€at€the€prime€rate€plus€2%€(unless€prohibited€by€law,€then€at€theÐ øH Ðmaximum€rate€allowed)€charged€at€a€major€bank€located€in€the€State€in€whichÐ ä4 ÐIndemnitors€reside.ÐÐ Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àA€claim€was€made€against€the€permit€bond€by€Ms.€Moyer€who€bought€a€house€built€byÐ ¨ø ÐMECC.€€The€Department€of€Codes€Administration,€the€obligee€under€the€permit€bond,€inspected€Ms.Ð ”ä ÐMoyerððs€property,€notified€Old€Republic€of€the€deficiencies€and€directed€Old€Republic,€as€surety,€Ð €Ð Ðto€make€the€necessary€repairsÔ#†X?€XXX?€I#ÔÔ‡X?€XXX?€Ô.€€After€a€series€of€communications,€set€out€later€in€this€opinion,€Ô#†X?€XXX?€d#ÔÔ‡X?€XXX?€ÔtheÐ l¼ Ðfinal€result€was€that€Old€Republic€paid€for€the€repairs€to€Ms.€Moyerððs€house€and€sued€Mr.Ð X ¨ ÐEshaghpour€for€reimbursement€under€the€indemnity€agreement.€Ô#†X?€XXX?€ê#ÔÔ‡X?€XXX?€ÔÐ D!” ÐÌà  àThe€trial€court€granted€summary€judgment€to€Old€Republic€in€the€amount€of€$17,220.88€plusÐ #l! Ðattorneys€fees€of€$2,237.50.€€Mr.€Eshaghpour€appeals€and€argues€that€the€summary€judgment€shouldÐ $X" Ðnot€have€been€granted€because€the€motion€was€not€properly€supported€and€because€the€issue€of€OldÐ ô$D # ÐRepublicððs€good€faith€involves€factual€questions€which€are€inappropriate€for€summary€judgment.Ð à%0!$ ÐÌÓ  ÓI.Ð ¸'#& ÐÔ#†X?€XXX?€ñ#ÔÓÓÔ‡X?€XXX?€ÔÌà  àBecause€of€the€nature€of€Mr.€Eshaghpourððs€arguments,€analysis€of€the€issues€in€this€appealÐ )à$( Ðis€best€approached€by€first€identifying€the€facts€which€are€material€to€the€question€of€whether€OldÐ |*Ì%) ÐRepublic€is€entitled€as€a€matter€of€law€to€judgment.€Which€facts€are€relevant€depends,€of€course,€onÐ h+¸&* Ðthe€legal€questions€presented.€Ð ° ÐÌà  àIt€is€undisputed€that€Mr.€Eshaghpour€executed€the€indemnity€agreement€attached€to€theÐ ˆØ Ðcomplaint€and€quoted€earlier€in€this€opinion.€€In€this€lawsuit,€Old€Republic€seeks€to€enforce€theÐ tÄ Ðagreement€to€reimburse€it€for€expenses€related€to€claims€against€the€bond.€€Ô#†X?€XXX?€W#ÔGenerally,€there€are€twoÐ `° Ðrecognized€defenses€an€indemnitor€can€raise€when€a€surety€seeks€reimbursement€for€claims€settledÐ L œ Ðover€the€principalððs€protest:€(1)€that€the€surety€did€not€settle€in€good€faith€or€(2)€that€the€surety€didÐ 8 ˆ Ðnot€act€in€a€reasonable€and€prudent€manner.€€John€Hinchey,€òòSuretyððs€Performance€Over€Protest€ofÐ $ t ÐPrincipal:€Considerations€and€Risksóó,€22€òòTort€&€Insóó.€L.J.€133,€148€(1986).€€Jurisdictions€vary€inÐ  ` Ðwhether€only€the€lack€of€good€faith€defense€is€available€or€whether€the€surety€is€also€held€to€aÐ ü L  Ðreasonableness€standard.€€òòId.óó€€€Tennessee€law€requires€that,€€in€order€for€a€surety€to€recover€under€anÐ è 8  Ðindemnity€agreement,€the€surety€must€act€both€reasonably€and€in€good€faith.€€òòFeld€Truck€Leasing€v.Ð Ô$  ÐABC€Transnational€Transp.óó,€681€S.W.2d€554,€556€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1984)òòóó;€òòCentral€TowersÐ À  ÐApartments,€Inc.€v.€Martinóó,€61€Tenn.€App.€244,€262,€453€S.W.2d€789,€799€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1969);Ð ¬ü  ÐòòÔ‡X?€XXX?€ÔGulf€Ins.€Co.€v.€Construx,€Inc.óó,€No.€M1999„02803„COA„R3„CV,€2001€WL€840240,€at€*17€(Tenn.Ð ˜è  ÐCt.€App.€Jul.€26,€2001)€(no€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed)Ô#†X?€XXX?€ð"#Ôòòóó.€Ð „Ô  ÐÌà  àAn€indemnity€agreement€is€subject€to€the€general€law€of€contracts,€and€every€contractÐ \¬ Ðcontains€an€implied€obligation€of€good€faith€and€fair€dealing€in€its€performance€and€enforcement.€Ð H˜ Ð2€òòPerillo€and€Benderóó,€òòCorbin€on€Contractsóó€ðð€5.27,€at€139€(rev.€ed.€1995).€€Thus,€ð ðà8 @: à[t]here€isÐ 4„ Ðno€doubt€that,€in€performance€of€its€duty€to€indemnify€the€insured,€the€insurer€is€bound€to€exerciseÐ  p Ðð ðgood€faithðð€and€to€act€fairly€in€the€interest€of€the€insured.ðð€€3€òòArthur€L.€Corbinóó,€òòCorbin€onÐ  \ ÐContractsóó€ðð€572A,€at€355€(1960).Ð øH ÐÌà  àOur€Supreme€Court€has€defined€the€scope€of€the€good€faith€obligation€Ô_ÔinÔ_Ô€other€commercialÐ Ð  Ðsettings.€€Inòò€Lane€v.€John€Deere€Co.óó,€767€S.W.2d€138€(Tenn.€1989),€the€Court€stated,€ð ðà8 @´ àThe€good€faithÐ ¼  Ðrequirement€[in€the€UCCððs€acceleration€of€a€debt€provision]€.€.€.€imposes€ððan€honest€intention€toÐ ¨ø Ðabstain€from€taking€any€unconscientious€advantage€of€another,€even€through€the€forms€andÐ ”ä Ðtechnicalities€of€the€law.ðððð€òò€Idóó.€at€140€(citations€omitted).€€Additionally,€as€the€trial€court€hereinÐ €Ð Ðnoted,€the€Court€€in€another€commercial€context€òòóóhas€accepted€that€ð ðbad€faith€can€be€defined€as€aÐ l¼ Ðknowing€or€reckless€disregard€of€a€customerððs€rights.ðð€€òòGlazer€v.€First€Am.€Natððl€Bankóó,€930€S.W.2dÐ X ¨ Ð546,€550€(Tenn.€1996).€€In€its€opinion€in€that€case,€the€Court€acknowledged€that€Tenn.€Code€Ann.Ð D!” Ððð€€47„1„201(19),€the€UCCððs€definition€of€good€faith,׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€makes€a€partyððs€ð ðgood€faithðð€dependent€uponÐ 0"€  Ðits€ð ðhonesty.ðð€€The€Court€found,€however,€thatòòóó€ð ðthe€word€ððhonesty,ðð€which€is€not€defined€in€the€code,Ð #l! Ðis€susceptible€to€more€than€one€definition.ðð€€òòId.óó€at€549.Ð $X" ÐÌà  àAs€our€Supreme€Court€did€in€òòGlazer,€óócourts€have€sometimes€sought€guidance€in€definingÐ à%0!$ Ðgood€faith€in€the€Uniform€Commercial€Codeððs€definition.€€With€regard€to€that€definition:Ð Ì&"% ÐÌ€à8  àThe€Second€Restatement€of€Contracts€defines€good€faith€in€essentially€the€same€termsÐ ¤(ô#' Ðas€the€UCC.€€One€portion€of€the€comment€to€Restatement€of€Contracts€ðð€205€explainsÐ ° Ðthat€ð ð[g]ood€faith€performance€or€enforcement€of€a€contract€emphasizes€faithfulnessÐ œì Ðto€an€agreed€common€purpose€and€consistency€with€the€justified€expectations€of€theÐ ˆØ Ðother€party;€it€excludes€a€variety€of€types€of€conduct€characterized€as€involving€ððbadÐ tÄ Ðfaithðð€because€they€violate€community€standards€of€decency,€fairness€orÐ `° Ðreasonableness.ðð€€The€invocation€of€community€standards€of€reasonableness€suggestsÐ L œ Ðgood€faith€necessarily€incorporates€an€objective,€almost€tortlike€measure,€notÐ 8 ˆ Ðwithstanding€the€ostensibly€subjective€(ð ðhonesty€in€factðð)€language€of€the€Article€1Ð $ t Ðdefinition.€€And€the€Restatement€of€Contracts€comment€confirms€that€aÐ  ` Ðreasonableness€analysis€is€appropriate.Ðü L Ð Ð  ÐÌòòóóòòPeter€A.€Alces,€the€Law€of€Suretyship€and€Guarantyóó€ðð€3.01[2][a][ii]€(1997)€(footnotesÐ Ô$  Ðomitted).òòóóÐ À  ÐÌà  àEssentially,Ô‡X?€XXX?€Ô€a€surety€has€a€duty€to€reasonably€investigate€the€claim,€counterclaim€and€allÐ ˜è  Ðpossible€defenses€and€act€in€good€faith€in€settling€a€claim.€€òòSouthern€Fire€&€Cas.€Co.€v.€Norris,€óó35Ð „Ô  ÐTenn.€App.€657,€668,€250€S.W.2d€785,€790€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1952);òò€United€States€of€Am.€for€the€useÐ pÀ Ðof€the€Trustee€of€the€Elec.€Workers€Local€Pension€Fund€v.€D€Bar€D€Enter.,€Inc.óó,€772€F.€Supp.€1167,Ð \¬ Ð1170€(D.€Nev.€1991).€The€indemnitor€has€the€concomitant€duty€to€fully€cooperate€with€the€surety.€Ð H˜ ÐòòSouthern€Fire€&€Cas.óó,€35€Tenn.€App.€at€668,€250€S.W.2d€at€790;€Ô#†X?€XXX?€†2#Ô€òòÔ‡X?€XXX?€ÔSafeco€Ins.€Co.€of€Am.€v.€CriterionÐ 4„ ÐInv.€Corp.óó,€732€F.€Supp.€834,€842€(E.D.€Tenn.€1989)Ô#†X?€XXX?€[5#Ôòòóó€(defendantsððòòóó€failure€to€deal€with€the€claimantsÐ  p Ðunder€the€bond€after€the€suretyððs€repeated€requests€that€it€do€so€was€ð ðpreciselyðð€what€made€theÐ  \ Ðsuretyððs€conduct€reasonable).òòóóÐ øH ÐÌà  àAs€the€party€seeking€to€avoid€enforcement€of€the€indemnity€agreement,€Mr.€Eshaghpour€pledÐ Ð  Ðbad€faith€as€an€affirmative€defense.€€The€burden€of€proof€for€an€affirmative€defense€is€placed€uponÐ ¼  Ðthe€party€who€raises€it.€€òòAssociation€of€Owners€of€Regency€Park€Condo.€v.€Thomassonóó,€878€S.W.2dÐ ¨ø Ð560€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1994).€€Thus,€Mr.€Eshaghpour€bore€the€burden€of€demonstrating€that€OldÐ ”ä ÐRepublic€acted€in€bad€faith€or€unreasonably€in€settling€the€claim.€€òòÔ‡X?€XXX?€ÔGulf€Ins.€Co.€v.€Construx,€Inc.óó,€Ð €Ð Ð2001€WL€840240,€at€*20;€òòGreene€County€Bank€v.€Southeastern€Properties,€Incóó.,€No.€03A01„9604„Ð l¼ ÐCH„00124,€1996€WL€471469,€at€*2€(Tenn.€Ct€App.€Aug.€21,€1996)€(no€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11Ð X ¨ Ðapplication€filed)€(burden€of€proving€affirmative€defense€to€deficiency€action€of€failure€to€exerciseÐ D!” Ðgood€faith€was€on€defendant).€Ô#†X?€XXX?€:9#ÔFor€purposes€of€defeating€the€motion€for€summary€judgment,€Mr.Ð 0"€  ÐEshaghpour€was€required€to€demonstrate€the€existence€of€a€dispute€of€fact€that€was€material€to€theÐ #l! Ðlegal€issue.€€The€only€facts€relevant€to€his€defense€of€lack€of€good€faith€are€those€facts€detailing€OldÐ $X" ÐRepublicððs€actions€and€efforts€and€his€response;€the€merits€of€whether€he€was€responsible€for€theÐ ô$D # Ðrepairs€performed€on€Ms.€Moyerððs€house€were€not€before€the€trial€court€on€the€motion€and€are€notÐ à%0!$ Ðbefore€us.Ô‡X?€XXX?€ÔÐ Ì&"% ÐÌÓ  ÓII.Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÓ¥=ÓÌà  àThe€relevant€facts€break€down€into€three€categories:€(1)€those€alleged€and€sworn€to€by€Mr.Ð |*Ì%) ÐEshaghpour€and€not€disputed€by€Old€Republic;€(2)€those€alleged€by€Old€Republic€and€admitted€orÐ h+¸&* Ðproved€by€Mr.€Eshaghpour;€and€(3)€those€alleged€by€Old€Republic€which€Mr.€Eshaghpour€asserts€areÐ ° Ðnot€supported€by€proof€in€the€record.Ð œì ÐÌà  à(1)€€Mr.€Eshaghpour€asserts,€and€Old€Republic€has€not€disputed,€the€following:Ð tÄ ÐÌà  àIn€August€1994€MECC€entered€into€a€contract€for€the€sale€of€residential€real€estate€to€Joy€AnnÐ L œ ÐMoyer.€€The€Department€of€Codes€Administration€of€Metropolitan€Nashville€and€Davidson€CountyÐ 8 ˆ Ðissued€a€letter€of€occupancy€on€November€2,€1994,€stating€Ð $ t ÐÌà8  àThrough€routine€inspections€and€visual€observations,€we€have€determined€that€theÐ ü L  Ðwork€performed€substantially€complies€with€the€requirements€of€the€applicable€codesÐ è 8  Ðand€ordinances€.€.€.€.€€However,€granting€of€this€Final€Use€and€Occupancy€in€no€wayÐ Ô$  Ðrelieves€the€contractor€of€its€responsibility€for€any€work€performed€not€in€accordanceÐ À  Ðwith€applicable€codes€and€ordinances.Ьü Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àIn€December€of€1994,€Ms.€Moyer€began€experiencing€and€noting€problems€and€complainedÐ „Ô  Ðto€Mr.€Eshaghpour,€who€denied€all€responsibility€for€the€problems.€€Specifically,€Mr.€EshaghpourÐ pÀ Ðstated€that€the€problems€were€due€to€alterations€and€changes€that€Ms.€Moyer€had€made€to€theÐ \¬ Ðtopography€of€the€land€after€she€moved€in€and€to€drainage€problems€caused€by€other€constructionÐ H˜ Ðtaking€place€at€the€top€of€the€hill€behind€her€home.€€Ð 4„ ÐÌà  àOld€Republic€was€notified€of€the€problems€by€Ms.€Moyer,€and€it€notified€Mr.€EshaghpourÐ  \ Ðof€Ms.€Moyerððs€€claim€in€a€letter€dated€June€28,€1995.€€In€addition€to€setting€forth€the€claim€andÐ øH Ðreminding€Mr.€Eshaghpour€of€the€indemnity€agreement,€Old€Republic€stated€in€pertinent€part:€Ð ä4 ÐÌà8  àYou€have€the€primary€responsibility€to€resolve€this€problem.€€It€is€requested€that€youÐ ¼  Ðadvise€us€as€to€your€position€relative€to€this€claim.ШøÐ Ð  ÐÌà  àà ` à.€.€.€.Ð €Ð ÐÌà8  àIt€is€requested€that€you€contact€the€undersigned€immediately€and€advise€us€of€yourÐ X ¨ Ðintentions.€€Failure€to€do€so€can€result€in€cancellation€of€your€bond€and€the€revocationÐ D!” Ðof€your€Metropolitan€Government€Permit.Ð0"€ Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àMr.€Eshaghpour€responded€to€this€letter€on€July€12,€1995,€by€denying€all€responsibility€andÐ $X" Ðexplaining€why€he€was€not€responsible.€€He€only€addressed€the€excess€water€or€drainage€issue€andÐ ô$D # Ðnot€the€other€problems€complained€of€by€Ms.€Moyer.€Ð à%0!$ ÐÌà  àThereafter,€on€July€24,€1995,€Old€Republic€wrote€back€to€Mr.€Eshaghpour€and€told€him€thatÐ ¸'#& Ðit€would€require€Ms.€Moyer€to€prove€her€claim€or€else€it€would€be€denied,€but€that€Old€RepublicÐ ¤(ô#' Ðwould€ð ðcontinue€to€look€to€your€company€to€indemnify€Old€Republic€Surety€Company€should€theÐ )à$( Ðclaimant€persist€in€her€claim.ððÐ |*Ì%) ÐÐ h+¸&* Ðà8  à(2)€Old€Republic€alleges€and€Mr.€Eshaghpour€has€admitted€or€proved,€as€explained,Ð ° Ðother€facts:ÐœìÐ Ð  ÐÌà  àÔ#†X?€XXX?€p=#ÔÔ‡X?€XXX?€ÔIn€support€of€its€Motion€for€Summary€Judgment,€Old€Republic€filed€a€Statement€of€MaterialÐ tÄ ÐFacts.€€Attached€to€that€Statement€and€referenced€therein€were€several€documents.€€Although€Mr.Ð `° ÐEshaghpour€denied€most€of€the€statements€of€fact€on€the€basis€that€they€were€not€supported€byÐ L œ Ðspecific€citation€to€the€record,€the€following€facts€were€included€in€both€Old€Republicððs€StatementÐ 8 ˆ Ðof€Material€Facts€and€in€Mr.€Eshaghpourððs€Response€and€Memorandum€in€Opposition€to€theÐ $ t Ðsummary€judgment€motion€or€in€his€affidavit€supporting€that€Reponse.Ð  ` ÐÌà  àÔ#†X?€XXX?€rL#ÔÔ‡X?€XXX?€ÔMs.€Moyer€then€made€a€complaint€to€the€Department€of€Codes€Administration,€which,€inÐ è 8  Ðturn,€made€an€inspection€and€notified€Old€Republic€to€make€the€necessary€repairs€as€surety.€€In€aÐ Ô$  Ðletter€dated€October€2,€1995,€the€Codes€Department€stated:€Ð À  ÐÌà8  àThe€items€listed€in€the€attached€sheet׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€have€not€been€completed€so€as€to€comply€withÐ ˜è  Ðthe€requirements€of€the€Metropolitan€Building€Codes.€€The€contractor€is€unwillingÐ „Ô  Ðto€comply€with€these€requirements.ÐpÀÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àTherefore,€in€accordance€with€the€terms€and€conditions€of€the€bond€and€MetropolitanÐ H˜ ÐCode€of€Laws,€we€hereby€notify€you€to€secure€the€services€of€a€licensed€and€bondedÐ 4„ Ðcontractor€to€make€the€necessary€repairs€to€this€property€to€bring€it€into€complianceÐ  p Ðwith€Metropolitan€Code€of€Laws.Ð \Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àUpon€receiving€this€letter,€Old€Republic€sought€to€have€MECC€make€the€repairs€on€theÐ ä4 Ðenclosed€list.€€Old€Republic€sent€a€copy€of€the€letter€and€code€violations€list€to€Mr.€Eshaghpour€withÐ Ð  Ða€letter€stating€ð ðIt€is€requested€that€you€take€immediate€steps€to€resolve€this€situation.€€As€we€haveÐ ¼  Ðpreviously€advised,€we€will€look€to€your€company€to€indemnify€Old€Republic€Surety€Company€fromÐ ¨ø Ðany€loss,€cost€or€expense.ðð€€In€his€affidavit,€Mr.€Eshaghpour€testifies€that€he€received€this€letter€onÐ ”ä ÐOctober€18,€1995.€€He€does€not€state€that€he€responded€in€any€way€to€the€letter.€€Rather,€he€asserts,€Ð €Ð ÐÌà8  àThe€October€18,€1995€letter€from€Old€Republic€Surety€Company€requested€that€I€takeÐ X ¨ Ðimmediate€steps€to€resolve€the€situation.€€However,€the€items€identified€in€theÐ D!” ÐOctober€2,€1995€letter€from€the€Department€of€Codes€Administration€were€items€thatÐ ° Ðwere€not€MECCððs€responsibility.€€I€had€explained€to€Ms.€Moyer€that€these€items€wereÐ œì Ðnot€MECCððs€responsibility€in€December€1994,€and€I€gave€this€explanation€to€OldÐ ˆØ ÐRepublic€Surety€Company€in€my€July€21,€1995€letter.ÐtÄÐ Ð  ÐÌà  àThus,€Mr.€Eshaghpour€rested€his€position€on€his€July€1995€response€to€Ms.€MoyerððsÐ L œ Ðcomplaints.€€He€did€not€reply€to€the€new€correspondence€that€included€a€claim€from€the€obligee€ofÐ 8 ˆ Ðthe€permit€bond,€Metro€Codes€Administration,€or€that€departmentððs€itemization€of€the€ways€in€whichÐ $ t Ðthe€house€did€not€meet€building€codes.Ð  ` ÐÌà  à(3)€Old€Republic€alleges,€and€Mr.€Eshaghpour€claims€the€allegations€are€unsupported,€Ð è 8  Ðadditional€facts,€as€explained€below:Ð Ô$  ÐÌà  àOld€Republic€also€included€the€following€in€its€Statement€of€Material€Facts€and€attachedÐ ¬ü  Ðdocuments€supporting€the€statements.€€Mr.€Eshaghpour€did€not€factually€dispute€the€followingÐ ˜è  Ðassertions;€he€offered€no€contrary€testimony€in€his€affidavit.€€However,€in€his€response€to€OldÐ „Ô  ÐRepublicððs€Statement€of€Material€Facts,€he€denied€the€following€solely€on€the€basis€that€theÐ pÀ Ðstatements€were€not€supported€by€specific€citation€to€the€record.Ð \¬ ÐÌà  àAfter€Old€Republic€received€no€response€from€Mr.€Eshaghpour€to€its€October€letter,€it€againÐ 4„ Ðwrote€to€him€on€December€21,€1995,€stating:Ð  p ÐÌà8  àWe€have€been€advised€by€the€Metropolitan€Government€of€Nashville€and€DavidsonÐ øH ÐCounty€of€Tennessee€that€the€code€violations€.€.€.€have€still€not€been€corrected.€€WeÐ ä4 Ðhave€been€advised€by€the€building€inspector€to€secure€the€services€of€a€license[d]€andÐ Ð  Ðbonded€contractor€to€make€the€necessary€repairs€to€this€property€to€bring€it€intoÐ ¼  Ðcompliance€with€the€Metropolitan€code€of€laws.€.€.€.ШøÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àSince€we€have€written€to€you€several€times€regarding€this€matter,€we€are€going€toÐ €Ð Ðproceed€in€fulfilling€our€obligation€under€your€bond.€€I€want€to€assure€you,€however,Ð l¼ Ðthat€we€fully€intend€to€take€legal€action€against€you€to€recover€any€and€all€loss,€costÐ X ¨ Ðand€expense€this€company€incurs€pursuant€to€the€bond€application€and€indemnityÐ D!” Ðagreement€that€you€executed€on€January€26,€1990.€.€.€.Ð0"€ Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àUnless€we€hear€from€you€within€five€days€of€receipt€of€this€letter,€we€shall€proceedÐ $X" Ðaccordingly.Ðô$D #Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àAttached€to€Old€Republicððs€Statement€of€Material€Facts€was€a€copy€of€this€December€letterÐ Ì&"% Ðand€a€copy€of€a€receipt€for€the€letter€bearing€what€is€purported€to€be€Mr.€Eshaghpourððs€signature.Ð ¸'#& ÐÌà  àOld€Republicððs€Statement€of€Facts€further€states€that,€receiving€no€response€from€MECC,€OldÐ )à$( ÐRepublic€authorized€Ms.€Moyer€to€hire€an€independent€third€party€to€inspect€the€premises€andÐ |*Ì%) Ðprovide€an€opinion€and€a€bid.€€Old€Republic€attached€a€letter€to€its€Statement€of€Facts€which€was€Ð h+¸&* Ðfrom€it€to€the€independent€inspector,€Donald€Estes€of€Ray€Bell€Construction,€and€enclosed€in€thatÐ ° Ðletter€was€the€October€2€letter€from€Metro€Codes€and€Mr.€Eshaghpourððs€July€letter€explaining€whyÐ œì Ðhe€was€not€liable.€€Mr.€Estes€provided€a€report€that€concurred€with€the€October€2€letter€and€providedÐ ˆØ Ðan€estimate€to€repair€the€listed€items.€€Old€Republic€then€reached€a€settlement€with€Ms.€Moyer,€hiredÐ tÄ Ðthe€contractors€to€make€the€necessary€repairs,€paid€those€contractors€and€Ms.€Moyer,€and€then€soughtÐ `° Ðindemnification€from€Mr.€Eshaghpour.Ð L œ ÐÌÓ  ÓIII.Ð $ t ÐÓ¢gÓÌà  àIn€granting€Old€Republicððs€motion€for€summary€judgment,€the€trial€court€stated:Ð ü L  ÐÌà8  àThe€Court€finds,€that€in€the€face€of€the€letters€written€to€the€defendant€in€both€OctoberÐ Ô$  Ðand€December,€1995,€that€the€defendant€cannot€rely€upon€his€July€1995€response€inÐ À  Ðorder€to€make€Old€Republicððs€decision€to€settle€one€of€bad€faith.€€The€record€beforeÐ ¬ü  Ðthe€Court€indicates€a€course€of€conduct€by€Old€Republic€that€could€not€be€interpreted€Ð ˜è  Ðas€bad€faith.€€The€defendant€in€his€contract€with€Old€Republic€had€agreed€ð ðtoÐ „Ô  Ðauthorize€the€company€to€adjust,€settle€or€compromise€any€claim,€demand€or€suit€forÐ pÀ Ðjudgment€upon€said€bonds.€.€.€.ððÐ\¬Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àThe€Supreme€Court€of€Tennessee€recently€addressed€the€definition€of€good€faith„badÐ 4„ Ðfaith€in€òòGlazer€v.€First€American€National€Bankóó,€930€S.W.2d€546,€549„50€(Tenn.Ð  p Ð1996).€€There€the€Court€acknowledged€that€ð ðbad€faithðð€is€a€term€that€not€onlyÐ  \ Ðincludes€ð ðinstances€of€outright€deception€and€untruthfulness,ðð€but€also€includesÐ øH Ðð ðactions€in€knowing€or€reckless€disregard€of€customers€contractual€rights.ððÐä4Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àThe€Court€is€of€the€opinion,€however,€the€plaintiffððs€actions€here€show€not€only€an€Ð ¼  Ðabsence€of€dishonesty,€but€cannot€be€interpreted€as€showing€a€knowing€or€recklessÐ ¨ø Ðdisregard€of€Mr.€Eshaghpourððs€rights.€€The€defendant€confuses€the€good€faithÐ ”ä Ðobligation€of€the€plaintiff€with€an€argument€that€the€plaintiff€could€have€been€moreÐ €Ð Ðdiligent€or€negotiated€a€better€result.€€A€better€result€is€not€an€absence€of€good€faith.Ðl¼Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àTennessee€law€defines€good€faith,€in€relation€to€the€Uniform€Commercial€Code,€atÐ D!” Ð47„1„201(19)€as€ð ðhonesty€in€fact€in€the€conduct€or€transaction€concerned.ðð€€TheÐ 0"€  Ðtouchstone€case€in€Tennessee€on€ð ðgood€faithðð€related€to€a€settlement€is€òòSouthern€FireÐ #l! Ðand€Casualty€v.€Norrisóó,€35€Tenn.€App.€657,€250€S.W.2d€785€(Tenn.€App.€1952).€€TheÐ $X" ÐCourt€emphasized€that€it€would€look€to€the€reasonableness€of€the€investigation€so€thatÐ ô$D # Ðan€informed€judgment€could€be€made€and€it€emphasized€that€a€mere€mistake€ofÐ à%0!$ Ðjudgment€would€not€constitute€bad€faith.€€òòSee€alsoóó€òòPerry€v.€United€States€Fidelity€andÐ Ì&"% ÐGuarantyóó,€359€S.W.2d€1,€6„7€(Tenn.€App.€1962).и'#&Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àHere,€the€plaintiff€investigated€the€claim,€hired€an€independent€evaluator,€kept€theÐ )à$( Ðdefendant€informed€and€settled€the€claim.€€The€plaintiff€wrote€one€response€(the€JulyÐ |*Ì%) Ð1995€letter)€and€then€ignored€all€the€subsequent€correspondence.€€Even€taking€theÐ h+¸&* Ðevidence€in€the€light€most€favorable€to€the€defendant€the€Court€finds€that€the€factsÐ ° Ðcould€not€support€a€finding€of€bad€faith€on€the€part€of€the€plaintiff.ÐœìÐ Ð  ÐÌà  àWe€agree€with€the€trial€courtððs€basic€analysis.€€Although€the€trial€court€relied€upon€facts€thatÐ tÄ ÐMr.€Eshaghpour€contends€could€not€be€considered,€we€conclude€that€the€grant€of€summary€judgmentÐ `° Ðon€the€issue€of€liability€is€supported€by€the€facts€proved€or€undisputed€by€Mr.€Eshaghpour.€€OldÐ L œ ÐRepublic€sued€on€the€basis€of€the€indemnity€agreement€which€Mr.€Eshaghpour€admitted€that€heÐ 8 ˆ Ðexecuted.€€Mr.€Eshaghpourððs€claims€that€he€was€not€liable€because€Old€Republic€had€not€settled€inÐ $ t Ðgood€faith€were€raised€as€a€defense.€€Thus,€Mr.€Eshaghpour€had€the€burden€of€establishing€disputedÐ  ` Ðfacts€relative€to€that€issue.€€òòSee€Third€Natððl€Bank€in€Nashville€v.€Azalea€City€Motels,€Incóó.€No.€01A01„Ð ü L  Ð9011CH00420,€1991€WL€148027,€at€*€5€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Aug.€7,€1991).€€He€admitted€receiving€andÐ è 8  Ðintroduced€into€the€record€the€October€letter€from€Old€Republic€along€with€the€enclosed€letter€andÐ Ô$  Ðlist€of€code€deficiencies€from€the€Department€of€Codes.€€He€presented€no€facts€or€factual€allegationsÐ À  Ðregarding€any€steps€he€took€to€communicate€with€Old€Republic€or€to€provide€information€to€OldÐ ¬ü  ÐRepublic€with€which€to€dispute€the€claim€after€receiving€this€letter.€€Instead,€he€continued€to€rely€onÐ ˜è  Ðhis€July€letter€responding€to€complaints€from€Ms.€Moyer.€As€the€trial€court€stated,€Mr.€EshaghpourÐ „Ô  Ðð ðcannot€rely€upon€his€July€1995€response€in€order€to€make€Old€Republicððs€decision€to€settle€one€ofÐ pÀ Ðbad€faith.Ô#†X?€XXX?€WO#ÔÔ‡X?€XXX?€Ôðð€€In€essence,€Mr.€Eshaghpour€would€have€us€hold€that€a€surety€cannot€settle€a€claim€inÐ \¬ Ðgood€faith€in€the€face€of€silence€from€the€indemnitor.€€That€is€not€the€law.€€Ð H˜ ÐÌÔ#†X?€XXX?€v{#ÔÔ‡X?€XXX?€Ôà  àIn€reviewing€this€grant€of€summary€judgment,€òòÔ#†X?€XXX?€‹|#Ôóówe€must€view€the€evidence€in€the€light€mostÐ  p Ðfavorable€to€Mr.€Eshaghpour€and€must€also€draw€all€reasonable€inferences€in€his€favor.€òò€RobinsonÐ  \ Ðv.€Omeróó,€952€S.W.2d€423,€426€(Tenn.€1997);€òòMike€v.€Po€Group,€Inc.óó,€937€S.W.2d€790,€792€(Tenn.Ð øH Ð1996).€€We€will€uphold€a€summary€judgment€only€when€the€undisputed€facts€reasonably€support€oneÐ ä4 Ðconclusion€-€that€the€movant€is€entitled€to€a€judgment€as€a€matter€of€law.€€òòMcCall€v.€Wilderóó,€913Ð Ð  ÐS.W.2d€150,€153€(Tenn.€1995);€òòCarvell€v.€Bottomsóó,€900€S.W.2d€23,€26€(Tenn.€1995).Ð ¼  ÐÌà  àMr.€Eshaghpour€has€asserted€that€summary€judgment€was€not€appropriate€because€good€faithÐ ”ä Ðis€a€question€of€fact€to€be€determined€after€trial.€€We€agree€that€as€a€general€rule,€good€faith,€or€theÐ €Ð Ðlack€thereof,€as€well€as€reasonableness,€should€be€determined€in€the€context€of€the€specific€factualÐ l¼ Ðsituation€involved.€€€ð ðWhat€is€good€faith€depends,€it€is€obvious,€upon€the€facts€and€circumstances€ofÐ X ¨ Ðeach€case.ðð€€òòÔ‡X?€XXX?€ÔCriterion€Inv.€Corp.óó,€732€F.€Supp.€at€841Ô#†X?€XXX?€›#Ôòòóó;€òòsee€alsoóó€òòLaneóó,€767€S.W.2d€at€142€(anyÐ D!” Ðevidence€tending€to€show€other€than€good€faith€basis€for€the€action€is€material);€òòCentral€Towersóó,€61Ð 0"€  ÐTenn.€App.€at€267,€453€S.W.2d€at€799€(courts€must€look€to€all€the€facts€of€the€case€to€determineÐ #l! Ðwhether€it€was€reasonably€necessary€for€the€surety€to€so€act€in€its€own€defense,€and€whether€theÐ $X" Ðsurety€acted€in€good€faith€toward€the€principal).€Ð ô$D # ÐÌà  àThat€is€not€to€say,€however,€that€summary€judgment€is€never€available€when€the€question€ofÐ Ì&"% Ðgood€faith€or€reasonableness€is€a€determinative€issue.€€To€the€contrary,€summary€judgment€is€properÐ ¸'#& Ðin€virtually€any€civil€case€that€can€be€resolved€on€legal€issues€alone,€òòTomlinson€v.€Kelleyóó,€969€S.W.2dÐ ¤(ô#' Ð402€(Tenn.€1997),€and€is€available€in€all€civil€cases,€òòOwen€v.€Stanleyóó,€739€S.W.2d€782€(Tenn.€Ct.Ð )à$( ÐApp.€1987).€€òòSee€also€Perry€v.€United€States€Fidelity€&€Guar.€Co.óó,€49€Tenn.€App.662,€678,€359Ð |*Ì%) ÐS.W.2d€1,€8€(1962)€(directed€verdict€appropriate€where€there€was€no€competent€€proof€that€insurorÐ h+¸&* Ðacted€in€bad€faith€in€refusal€to€settle).€€Where€there€is€no€dispute€as€to€material€facts,€summaryÐ ° Ðjudgment€is€available€if€the€movant€is€entitled€to€judgment€as€a€matter€of€law.€€Through€his€ownÐ œì Ðresponses€and€affidavit,€Mr.€Eshaghpour€established€the€existence€of€his€agreement€to€indemnify€OldÐ ˆØ ÐRepublic€and€some€of€the€course€of€conduct€between€them€after€a€claim€was€made.€€A€motion€forÐ tÄ Ðsummary€judgment€may€be€supported€by€admissions€of€the€other€party.€€òòRead€v.€Thomasóó,€679€S.W.2dÐ `° Ð467,€469€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1984).€€€Mr.€Eshaghpour€has€failed€to€demonstrate€the€existence€of€anyÐ L œ Ðdisputed€fact€which€legitimately€calls€into€question€Old€Republicððs€good€faith€settlement€of€theÐ 8 ˆ Ðclaim.€€Ô‡X?€XXX?€ÔÐ $ t ÐÌà  àOn€appeal,€Mr.€Eshaghpour€states:€Ð ü L  ÐÌà8  àPrior€to€paying€this€disputed€claim,€Old€Republic€Surety€Company€never€called€uponÐ Ô$  ÐMr.€Eshaghpour€to€deposit€funds€to€cover€any€potential€liability€associated€withÐ À  Ðasserting€defenses€to€Ms.€Moyerððs€claim;€and€Old€Republic€never€defended€€or€gaveÐ ¬ü  ÐMr.€Eshaghpour€the€opportunity€to€defend€against€Ms.€Moyerððs€claim.Иè Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àBy€paying€Ms.€Moyerððs€claim€over€his€strenuous€objections,€Old€Republic€SuretyÐ pÀ ÐCompany€denied€Mr.€Eshaghpour€the€opportunity€to€hire€counsel€and€defend€againstÐ \¬ Ðthe€claims€for€both€himself€and€Old€Republic€Surety€Company.€€Old€Republic€SuretyÐ H˜ ÐCompany€never€tendered€its€defense€of€this€case€to€Mr.€Eshaghpour€or€allowed€himÐ 4„ Ðthe€opportunity€to€hire€counsel€to€protect€his€interest€and€the€interest€of€Old€RepublicÐ  p ÐSurety€Company.€€Old€Republic€Surety€Company€never€asserted€the€defenses€that€Mr.Ð  \ ÐEshaghpour€had€and€was€prepared€to€raise;€and€by€paying€Ms.€Moyerððs€claim€overÐ øH Ðhis€objections,€Old€Republic€Surety€Company€denied€Mr.€Eshaghpour€theÐ ä4 Ðopportunity€for€a€court€to€determine€the€merits€of€Ms.€Moyerððs€claim€and€his€defensesÐ Ð  Ðto€that€claim.м Ð Ð  ÐÔ#†X?€XXX?€+Š#ÔÔ‡X?€XXX?€ÔÌà  àThe€indemnity€agreement€does€not€require€Old€Republic€to€request€that€the€indemnitor€Ð ”ä Ðdeposit€funds€as€a€prerequisite€to€its€right€to€indemnity.€€Furthermore,€the€agreement€grants€OldÐ €Ð ÐRepublic€the€right€to€settle€any€claim.€€Mr.€Eshaghpour€was€given€opportunity€to€dispute€theÐ l¼ Ðallegations€of€code€violations€in€the€Department€of€Codes€letter,€but€he€does€not€allege€that€heÐ X ¨ Ðprovided€any€such€information€to€Old€Republic€after€receiving€that€letter.€€The€judgment€of€the€trialÐ D!” Ðcourt€that€Old€Republic€settled€the€claim€reasonably€and€in€good€faith,€and€is€thereby€entitled€toÐ 0"€  Ðjudgment€for€reimbursement€of€costs€and€expenses€it€incurred,€is€hereby€affirmedÔ#†X?€XXX?€=#ÔÔ‡X?€XXX?€Ôà8 @  àÔ#†X?€XXX?€““#ÔÔ‡X?€XXX?€Ô.Ð #l! ÐÌÓ  ÓIV.Ð ô$D # ÐÌÓ”Óà  àMr.€Eshaghpourððs€arguments€regarding€the€lack€of€evidentiary€support€for€Old€RepublicððsÐ Ì&"% Ðmotion€for€summary€judgment,€with€regard€to€liability,€is€answered€by€the€discussion€above.€Ð ¸'#& ÐHowever,€those€arguments€must€also€be€considered€in€regard€to€the€amount€of€the€judgment.€€WhileÐ ¤(ô#' ÐMr.€Eshaghpour€had€the€burden€of€proving€the€defense€he€raised€to€liability,€Old€Republic€had€theÐ )à$( Ðburden€of€proof€with€regard€to€its€damages.€€òòInman€v.€Union€Planters€Natððl€Bankóó,€634€S.W.2d€270,Ð |*Ì%) Ð272€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1982).€Ð h+¸&* ЇÔ#†X?€XXX?€á“#Ôòòóóà  àWe€have€already€determined€that€Old€Republic€proved,€through€Mr.€EshaghpourððsÐ ° Ðadmissions€and€affidavit€if€not€otherwise,€the€existence€of€the€guaranty€agreement.€€Additionally,€Mr.Ð œì ÐEshaghpour€admitted€receiving€the€October€correspondence.€Because€he€failed€to€assert€facts€toÐ ˆØ Ðsupport€his€good€faith€defense,€€Old€Republic€was€entitled€to€judgment€on€liability.€Ô‡X?€XXX?€Ô€In€addition€toÐ tÄ Ðthe€payments€it€made€to€resolve€the€claim,€Old€Republic€requested€an€award€of€attorney€fees€as€partÐ `° Ðof€the€ð ðloss,€liability,€costs,€claims€damages,€and€expense€.€.€.€including€.€.€.€the€fee€and€disbursementÐ L œ Ðof€counselðð€against€which€Mr.€Eshaghpour€indemnified€it.€€The€request€for€and€award€of€attorneyÐ 8 ˆ Ðfees€were€supported€by€an€affidavit€claiming€$2,237.50€in€attorney€fees.Ô#†X?€XXX?€²˜#ÔÐ $ t ÐÌà  àWith€regard€to€the€remainder€of€losses€and€expenses€incurred€by€Old€Republic€by€its€issuanceÐ ü L  Ðof€the€bond€and,€therefore,€the€remainder€of€the€recovery€due€under€the€indemnity€agreement,€OldÐ è 8  ÐRepublic€alleged€in€its€complaint€that€the€balance€due€and€owing€as€a€result€of€the€repairs€pursuantÐ Ô$  Ðto€the€bond€was€$17,220.88€and€that€Mr.€Eshaghpour€had€failed€to€pay€the€amount€due€despiteÐ À  Ðdemand.€€In€his€answer,€Mr.€Eshaghpour€admitted€that€Old€Republic€had€made€demand€for€payment,Ð ¬ü  Ðbut€denied€the€remainder€of€the€allegations.€€In€its€motion€for€summary€judgment,€Old€RepublicÐ ˜è  Ðalleged€it€suffered€a€loss€of€$17,220.88€and€filed€a€Statement€of€Material€Facts€which€stated€that€OldÐ „Ô  ÐRepublic€had€paid€that€sum€as€settlement€in€full€of€all€obligations€for€the€original€claim.€€BothÐ pÀ Ðdocuments€refer€to€an€exhibit€which€included€an€estimate€for€repairs,€copies€of€canceled€checks,€andÐ \¬ Ða€release€by€Ms.€Moyer€acknowledging€receipt€of€funds.€€The€filings€included€no€affidavit€or€otherÐ H˜ Ðsworn€testimony.Ð 4„ ÐÌà  àIn€response€to€the€portion€of€Old€Republicððs€Statement€of€Material€Facts€dealing€with€Ð  \ Ðpayments€in€settlement€of€the€claim,€Mr.€Eshaghpour€replied,€ð ðContrary€to€Rule€56.03,€this€statementÐ øH Ðis€not€supported€by€a€specific€citation€to€the€record.€€Accordingly,€it€is€DENIED.ðð€€òòóóIn€his€brief,€Mr.Ð ä4 ÐEshaghpour€explains€this€somewhat€cryptic€statement:€ð ðOld€Republic€Surety€Company€made€noÐ Ð  Ðcitations€to€the€record,€because€there€was€no€record€to€cite€to.ðð׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Essentially,€he€argues€that€by€failingÐ ¼  Ðto€provide€any€sworn€evidence,€Old€Republic€failed€to€meet€its€burden€of€proof€and€is€not€entitledÐ ¨ø Ðto€judgment.€Ð ”ä ÐÌÔ‡X?€XXX?€Ôà  àMr.€Eshaghpour€argues€that€because€Old€Republic€filed€no€sworn€testimony,€summaryÐ l¼ Ðjudgment€was€not€available€under€the€terms€of€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€56.04€which€provides€that€suchÐ X ¨ Ðjudgment€shall€be€granted€ð ðif€the€pleadings,€depositions,€answers€to€interrogatories,€and€admissionsÐ D!” Ðon€file,€together€with€the€affidavits,€if€any,€show€that€there€is€no€genuine€issue€as€to€any€material€factÐ 0"€  Ðand€the€moving€party€is€entitled€to€judgment€as€a€mater€of€law.ððÔ#†X?€XXX?€£#Ô€€òòóóHe€asserts€that€Old€RepublicððsÐ #l! Ðattachment€of€unverified€documents€to€its€Statement€of€Material€Facts€is€insufficient€to€establishÐ $X" Ðmaterial€facts.Ð ô$D # ÐÔ‡X?€XXX?€ÔÐ à%0!$ Ðà  àA€party€seeking€summary€judgment€has€the€burden€of€demonstrating€that€its€motion€satisfiesÐ ° Ðthe€requirements€of€Rule€56.€€òòCarvell€v.€Bottomsóó,€900€S.W.2d€at€25.€€The€burden€includesÐ œì Ðdemonstrating€that€it€is€entitled€to€judgment€as€a€matter€of€law.€€òòJones€v.€City€of€Johnson€Cityóó,€917Ð ˆØ ÐS.W.2d€687€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1995).€€Ô#†X?€XXX?€E¦#ÔA€party€seeking€damages€has€the€burden€of€proving€them.€Ð tÄ ÐòòInmanóó,€634€S.W.2d€at€272.€€In€order€to€be€entitled€to€judgment€in€a€specific€amount,€a€plaintiff€mustÐ `° Ðprove€the€amount€of€loss.€€Herein,€Mr.€Eshaghpour€did€not€admit€to€the€amount€of€the€loss€by€OldÐ L œ ÐRepublic€in€performance€of€its€responsibilities€under€the€indemnity€agreement.€€Thus,€Old€RepublicÐ 8 ˆ Ðwas€not€entitled€to€any€particular€judgment€amount€absent€proof.€€The€allegation€of€the€amount€ofÐ $ t Ðits€loss€was€Ô‡X?€XXX?€Ôsupported€only€by€€unsworn€statements€and€unauthenticated€copies€of€cancelled€checksÐ  ` Ðand€other€documents€attached€to€the€Statement€of€Material€Facts.€€Ô#†X?€XXX?€iª#ÔÔ‡X?€XXX?€ÔSuch€materials€do€not€constituteÐ ü L  Ðproof€sufficient€to€support€judgment.Ð è 8  ÐÔ#†X?€XXX?€V«#ÔÔ‡X?€XXX?€ÔÌà  àThe€types€of€evidentiary€material€which€can€be€relied€upon€to€support€a€summary€judgmentÐ À  Ðhave€been€discussed€in€a€well„known€treatise:Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà8  àIn€addition€to€the€pleadings,€Rule€56(c)€expressly€provides€that€the€court€may€makeÐ „Ô  Ðuse€of€depositions€on€a€summary„judgment€motion.€€Only€that€portion€of€a€depositionÐ pÀ Ðthat€would€be€admissible€in€evidence€at€trial€may€be€introduced€on€a€summary„Ð \¬ Ðjudgment€motion,€however.€.€.€.ÐH˜Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àPrior€to€1963,€Rule€56(c)€did€not€specifically€permit€the€use€of€answers€toÐ  p Ðinterrogatories€on€a€motion€for€summary€judgment,€although€courts€generallyÐ  \ Ðpermitted€them€to€be€presented.€€In€1963€this€omission€in€the€rule€was€corrected€byÐ øH Ðan€amendment€expressly€providing€for€the€use€of€answers€to€interrogatories€on€aÐ ä4 Ðsummary„judgment€motion€as€long€as€they€satisfy€the€other€requirements€in€Rule€56Ð Ð  Ðand€contain€admissible€material.€.€.€.м Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àRule€56(c)€also€permits€the€court€to€consider€any€ð ðadmissions€on€file.ðð€€The€quotedÐ ”ä Ðwords€make€it€clear€that€the€admissions€need€not€be€pursuant€to€Rule€36;€they€mayÐ €Ð Ðhave€emerged€at€the€pretrial€conference,€have€occurred€during€the€oral€argument€onÐ l¼ Ðthe€motion,€have€been€made€in€connection€with€one€of€the€other€discoveryÐ X ¨ Ðprocedures,€or€have€their€roots€in€a€joint€statement€or€stipulation€by€counsel.€.€.€.€TheÐ D!” Ðadmission€must€be€in€a€form€that€is€admissible€in€evidence.Ð0"€ Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àOne€of€the€most€common€forms€of€evidence€used€on€a€summary„judgment€motionÐ $X" Ðis€affidavits.€€Affidavits€in€support€of€or€in€opposition€to€a€Rule€56€motion€are€notÐ ô$D # Ðrequired€by€the€rule;€they€are€simply€permitted.€€The€failure€to€introduce€affidavitsÐ à%0!$ Ðwill€not€prevent€summary€judgment€if€the€prerequisites€for€granting€the€motion€haveÐ Ì&"% Ðbeen€satisfied€in€some€other€fashion.€.€.€.и'#&Ð Ð  Ðà  à.€.€.€.Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌà8  àExhibits€that€have€been€properly€made€a€part€of€an€affidavit€may€also€be€considered.€Ð |*Ì%) ÐIndeed,€Rule€56(e)€requires€that€sworn€or€certified€copies€of€all€papers€referred€to€inÐ h+¸&* Ðan€affidavit€must€be€attached€to€or€served€with€that€affidavit.€.€.€.€To€be€admissible,Ð ° Ðdocuments€must€be€authenticated€by€and€attached€to€an€affidavit€that€meets€theÐ œì Ðrequirements€of€Rule€56(e)€and€the€affiant€must€be€a€person€through€whom€theÐ ˆØ Ðexhibits€could€have€been€admitted€into€evidence.€€Thus,€a€letter€submitted€forÐ tÄ Ðconsideration€under€Rule€56(e)€must€be€attached€to€an€affidavit€and€authenticated€byÐ `° Ðits€author€in€the€affidavit€or€deposition.ÐL œÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àAs€is€true€of€other€material€introduced€on€a€summary„judgment€motion,€uncertifiedÐ $ t Ðor€otherwise€inadmissible€documents€may€be€considered€by€the€court€if€notÐ  ` Ðchallenged.€€The€objection€must€be€timely€or€it€will€be€deemed€to€have€been€waived.Ðü L Ð Ð  ÐÌòò10A€Wright,€Miller€&€Kane,€Federal€Practice€and€Procedureóó:€òòCivilóó€ðð€2722€(3d€ed.€1998)Ð Ô$  Ð(footnotes€omitted).€Ð À  ÐÔ#†X?€XXX?€¬#ÔÔ‡X?€XXX?€ÔÌà  àThe€statement€of€material€facts€which€the€moving€party€contends€are€not€disputed,€as€requiredÐ ˜è  Ðby€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€56.03,€does€not€constitute€proof€of€the€facts€therein€and€does€not€substitute€forÐ „Ô  Ðsuch€proof.€€That€rule€provides:Ð pÀ ÐÌà8  àIn€order€to€assist€the€Court€in€ascertaining€whether€there€are€any€material€facts€inÐ H˜ Ðdispute,€any€motion€for€summary€judgment€made€pursuant€to€Rule€56€of€theÐ 4„ ÐTennessee€Rules€of€Civil€Procedure€shall€be€accompanied€by€a€separate€conciseÐ  p Ðstatement€of€the€material€facts€as€to€which€the€moving€party€contends€there€is€noÐ  \ Ðgenuine€issue€for€trial.€€Each€fact€shall€be€set€forth€in€a€separate,€numbered€paragraph.€Ð øH ÐEach€fact€shall€be€supported€by€a€specific€citation€to€the€record.€€Ðä4Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àAny€party€opposing€the€motion€for€summary€judgment€must€.€.€.€.€file€a€response€€toÐ ¼  Ðeach€fact€set€forth€by€the€movant€either€(i)€agreeing€that€the€fact€is€undisputed;€(ii)Ð ¨ø Ðagreeing€that€the€fact€is€undisputed€for€purposes€of€ruling€on€the€motion€for€summaryÐ ”ä Ðjudgment€only;€or€(iii)€demonstrating€that€the€fact€is€disputed.€€Each€disputed€factÐ €Ð Ðmust€be€supported€by€specific€citation€to€the€record.€€Such€response€shall€be€filedÐ l¼ Ðwith€the€papers€in€opposition€to€the€motion€for€summary€judgment.ÐX ¨Ð Ð  ÐÔ#†X?€XXX?€\º#ÔÔ‡X?€XXX?€ÔÌà  àAs€the€Advisory€Commission€Comment€to€this€rule€makes€clear,€its€purpose€is€to€assist€theÐ 0"€  Ðcourt€in€ð ðfocusing€on€the€crucial€portions€of€the€record.ðð€€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€56€Advisory€Commission€Ð #l! Ðcmt.€[1997].€€The€statement€is€for€the€benefit€of€the€court€in€deciding€motions€for€summaryÐ $X" Ðjudgment.€€òòSelvy€v.€Vinsantóó,€No.€03A01„9903„CV„00081,€1999€WL€894435,€at€*1€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð ô$D # ÐOct.€13,€1999);€òòButler€v.€Diversified€Energy,€Incóó.,€No.€03A019804CV00146,€1999€WL€76102,€at€*3Ð à%0!$ Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Jan.€28,€1999).€€Ô#†X?€XXX?€µÀ#ÔÔ‡X?€XXX?€ÔThe€statement€does€not€itself€introduce€factual€information€into€theÐ Ì&"% Ðrecord;€instead,€it€directs€the€court€to€the€location€of€facts€established€elsewhere€by€evidentiaryÐ ¸'#& Ðmaterials€complying€with€Rule€56.Ô#†X?€XXX?€qÃ#ÔÔ‡X?€XXX?€ÔÐ ¤(ô#' ÐÌÔ#†X?€XXX?€¥Ä#Ôà  àFinally,€the€unverified€documents€attached€to€the€Statement€of€Material€Facts€could€beÐ |*Ì%) Ðconsidered€in€support€of€the€Motion€if€Mr.€Eshaghpour€waived€any€objection.€We€agree€with€OldÐ h+¸&* ÐRepublic€that€the€failure€to€provide€sworn€testimony€regarding€the€payments€could€have€beenÐ ° Ðremedied€with€the€filing€of€an€appropriate€affidavit€in€the€trial€court,€and€that€Mr.€EshaghpourððsÐ œì Ðresponse€to€the€Statement€of€Material€Facts€could€have€made€the€deficiency€clearer.€€His€denial€ofÐ ˆØ Ðthe€statements€of€fact€on€the€basis€they€were€not€accompanied€by€a€citation€to€the€record€was€not€aÐ tÄ Ðclear€objection€to€the€admissibility€of€the€supporting€attachments.€€However,€in€his€memorandumÐ `° Ðin€opposition€to€summary€judgment,€he€clearly€voiced€his€objection€and€the€basis€for€it.€€Ð L œ ÐÌà8  àThe€Court€should€also€deny€summary€judgment€because€the€Plaintiff€has€notÐ $ t Ðpresented€a€properly€supported€motion.€.€.€.€€In€this€case,€the€Plaintiff€has€producedÐ  ` Ðno€sworn€testimony€to€support€its€motion.€€It€has€merely€restated€its€allegations€in€theÐ ü L  ÐComplaint€and€made€a€conclusory€statement€that€the€Defendant€is€liable.€€BecauseÐ è 8  Ðthe€Plaintiff€has€put€forth€no€sworn€testimony€to€support€its€position,€the€Plaintiff€hasÐ Ô$  Ðfailed€to€meet€its€burden€of€demonstrating€that€there€are€no€disputed€material€factsÐ À  Ðcreating€a€genuine€issue€for€trial.Ьü Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àTherefore,€Mr.€Eshaghpour€did€timely€object€to€the€admissibility€of€the€unverified€andÐ „Ô  Ðunauthenticated€documents€filed€as€attachments€to€the€Motion€and€the€Statement€of€Material€Facts,€Ð pÀ Ðincluding€the€canceled€checks€and€other€documents€relating€to€the€amounts€paid€to€repair€the€houseÐ \¬ Ðin€question.€€Ð H˜ ÐÔ‡X?€XXX?€ÔÌà  àThis€courtððs€role€in€review€of€the€grant€of€summary€judgment€is€well€settled.€€Our€task€isÐ  p Ðconfined€to€reviewing€the€record€to€determine€whether€the€requirements€of€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€56€haveÐ  \ Ðbeen€met.€€òòStaples€v.€Ô_ÔCBLÔ_Ô€&€Assocóó.,€15€S.W.3d€83,€88€(Tenn.€2000).€€We€must€view€the€evidenceÐ øH Ðin€the€light€most€favorable€to€the€nonmoving€party.€€òòId.óó€€òòóóIn€our€review€of€the€record€we€find€noÐ ä4 Ðevidence€substantiating€or€establishing€the€amount€of€losses€and€expenses€Old€Republic€incurred€toÐ Ð  Ðrepair€Ms.€Moyerððs€house€or€otherwise€because€of€its€obligations€under€the€bond.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€Ô#†X?€XXX?€ìÌ#Ô€We€are€unableÐ ¼  Ðto€affirm€judgment€on€the€amount€of€recovery€under€the€indemnity€agreement€because€there€is€simplyÐ ¨ø Ðno€proof€of€the€total€amount€of€loss€or€expenses€in€the€recordÔ‡X?€XXX?€Ô.€€Where€proof€of€damages€isÐ ”ä Ðinadequate,€but€liability€established,€remand€is€appropriate.€€òòLaneóó,€767€S.W.2d€at€142.Ð €Ð ÐÌà  àTherefore,€we€vacate€the€award€of€damages€and€remand€to€the€trial€court€for€proof,€whichÐ X ¨ Ðmay€be€by€affidavit€or€sworn€verification€of€the€amounts€paid€by€Old€Republic€due€to€the€claimÐ D!” Ðherein€and,€therefore,€owing€under€the€indemnity€agreement.Ð 0"€  ÐÔ#†X?€XXX?€3Ñ#ÔÔ‡X?€XXX?€ÔÌÓ  ÓV.Ð $X" ÐÓuÓÓÌà  àFor€the€reasons€stated€herein,€we€affirm€the€trial€courtððs€grant€of€summary€judgment€on€theÐ à%0!$ Ðissue€of€liability€and€the€award€of€attorney€fees.€€However,€this€cause€is€remanded€to€the€trial€court€Ð Ì&"% Їfor€further€proceedings€regarding€the€amount€of€the€total€loss,€liability,€costs,€and€expenses€incurredÐ ° Ðby€Old€Republic€by€reason€of€its€issuance€of€the€bond.€€Costs€of€this€appeal€are€taxed€equallyÐ œì Ðbetween€Appellant€and€Appellee,€for€which€execution€may€issue€if€necessary.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð ˆØ ÐÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à______________________________Ð 8 ˆ Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àPATRICIA€J.€COTTRELL,€JUDGEòòóóÔ#†X?€XXX?€UÓ#ÔÐ $ t Ð