Royer Homes of Ms., Inc. v. Chandeleur Homes, Inc.

Summary

The court affirmed dismissal of Royer Homes' claims against Chandeleur, holding that the parties' 1998 settlement and release agreement unambiguously released Royer's pending Pike County claims. The court concluded that the agreement constituted an accord and satisfaction because Royer accepted substantial settlement consideration in exchange for releasing claims arising from prior business dealings. A dissent would have reversed and remanded for further fact-finding because the release's broad language conflicted with specific references to another lawsuit and a reservation of warranty and accounts-receivable claims.