11 Ala. 743 | Ala. | 1847
The act of 1814 provides that in appeals from justices of the peace, where the amount in controversy does not exceed twenty dollars, the court shall try the same de novo, tec. [Clay’s Dig. 314, § 10.] And the act of 1819 enacts that' the court before whom such appeals are brought shall proceed to try the same according to the justice and equity of the case, without regarding any defect in the warrant, capias, summons or other proceedings of the justice of the peace before whom,,the same was tried. [Id. 315, § 12.] By a statute passed in 1807, it is declared that costs in equity shall be paid by either party at the discretion of the court. [Id. 350, § 26.] These several enactments it is insisted invest the court trying a cause removed from a justice of the peace with authority to tax either party with all the cost, or so to apportion it between them as may be thought best.
Another section of the act last cited provides that “ in all cases in civil actions, the party in whose favor judgment shall be given, or in case of non-suit, dismission-, or discontiau-
Although the act of 1819 contemplates the proceedings of a justice of the peace when removed by appeal, with much toleration, and requires that the trial shall be^had upon principles of equity and justice, neither that nor any other statute makes them either in terms or by construction cases in equity. Like other suits at law, the party who is unsuccessful, either in the prosecution or defence, shall pay all costs; and the court has no discretion to prevent such a result; unless the case comes within one of the two categories provided by the act of 1824. The plaintiff is not affected by this statute; first, because he did not recover in the circuit court less than he did before the justice of the peace; and secondly, because he recovers more. It follows then, that the judgment against the plaintiff for costs cannot be supported.
The objection is not a mere clerical misprision, amendable here at the costs of the plaintiff in error. It was a point controverted’ in the court below, and one on which it directly acted, and to which exception was taken. We have only to add, that the judgment is reversed, and here rendered in favor of the defendant in error for $2 and all the costs before the justice, as well as the costs in the circuit court.