Eddie Drake filed the underlying action against Cedric Wallace, alleging that Wallace defaulted on a promissory note. In his answer, Wallace denied that he was indebted to Drake, although he admitted executing the note at issue. Following a bench trial, the court granted a directed verdict in favor of Wallace, based on a finding that the promissory note lacked consideration. After the denial of his motion for a new trial, Drake filed the present appeal, arguing that the court erred in granting Wallace’s motion for a directed verdict. We affirm.
The evidence demonstrates that Drake and Wallace were equal co-owners of a business. Drake testified that Wallace withdrew over $100,000 in company funds and that he filed suit against Wallace to recover the money. The two parties agreed to settle the lawsuit for $50,000. Drake provided Wallace with a proposed promissory note. After striking through three paragraphs, Wallace signed the note, which provided, in part: “FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned Maker promises to pay to the order of EDDIE DRAKE (‘Holder’) the principal sum of Fifty Thousand and No/100 ($50,000.00) Dollars.” Drake testified that he dismissed the action against Wallace in exchange for Wallace’s execution of the promissory note. Wallace admitted that he agreed to settle the suit for $50,000; that he executed the promissory note at issue; and that he failed to make a single payment on the note. However, he further testified that the note was invalid and that he had not received any money from Drake.
1. As a preliminary matter, Drake argues that the trial court erred in considering the defense of lack of consideration, because Wallace failed to raise it in his answer. Drake is correct that consideration is among the affirmative defenses listed in OCGA § 9-11-8 (c) that generally are deemed waived if the defendant fails to plead them. See Brown v. Little,
However, in the case sub judice, counsel for Wallace raised the defense of lack of consideration in his opening statement and again in a motion for directed verdict at the close of the evidence. Drake failed to object that Wallace raised an affirmative defense that had been waived. Rather,. Drake’s counsel argued the merits of that defense. Thus, the trial court did not err in considering the defense of lack of consideration. OCGA § 9-11-15 (b) provides that “[w]hen issues not raised by the pleadings are tried by express or implied consent of the parties, they shall be treated in all respects as if they had been raised in the pleadings.” See Bowers v. Howell,
2. Next, Drake argues that the court erred in granting a directed verdict to Wallace. In jury trials, “a directed verdict is appropriate only if there is no conflict in the evidence as to any material issue and the evidence introduced, construed most favorably to the party opposing the motion, demands a particular verdict.” St. Paul Mercury Ins. Co. v. Meeks,
OCGA § 9-11-41 (b) provides, in pertinent part:
After the plaintiff, in an action tried by the court without a jury, has completed the presentation of his evidence, the defendant, without waiving his right to offer evidence in the event the motion is not granted, may move for dismissal on the ground that upon the facts and the law the plaintiff has shown no right to relief. The court as trier of the facts may then determine the facts and render judgment against the plaintiff or may decline to render any judgment until the close of all the evidence.
In a nonjury trial, the court’s findings of fact will not be set aside unless they are clearly erroneous, and “due regard shall be given to the opportunity of the trial court to judge the credibility of the witnesses.” (Punctuation omitted.) Magnus Homes, supra at 32 (1), citing OCGA § 9-11-52 (a). Further, the trial court’s ruling on an OCGA § 9-11-41 (b) motion for involuntary dismissal will not be disturbed if there is “any evidence” to support it. Hamil v. Stanford,
OCGA §§ 13-3-1 and 13-3-2 provide that a contract is not complete and enforceable until there is a meeting of the minds as to all essential terms. “To constitute a valid contract, there must be parties able to contract, a consideration moving to the contract, the assent of the parties to the terms of the contract, and a subject matter upon which the contract can operate.” OCGA § 13-3-1. Each of these essential terms must be certain. The requirement of certainty extends not only to the subject matter and purpose of the contract, but also to the parties, consideration, and even the time and place of performance.
(Footnote omitted.) Peace v. Dominy Holdings,
Accordingly, after hearing the evidence, the trial court did not err in concluding that Drake was not entitled to relief and in granting what amounted to a motion for involuntary dismissal. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Judgment affirmed.