10 Mass. 221 | Mass. | 1813
delivered the opinion of the Court.
A writ of review is a writ of right, in the nature of a scire facias to hear errors, in a record or process remaining with the court. It
The policy of reviews is certainly questionable. ' They may have been of more utility in former times than they are at present. The practice of granting new trials, upon sufficient cause suggested, is probably a' more suitable remedy for every supposed failure of justice in a past trial than a review of right by the party. But the statutes upon this subject are imperative. The writ is given with certain limitations ; but it is not one of them, that a review com' menced and discontinued is a bar to another review, if not prevent ed by other limitations. Accidents may be imagined [ *223 ] *of a nature to render a nonsuit, with the power of renewing the suit, or a discontinuance with leave, necessary and unavoidable. Such, for instance, would be the absence of witnesses, where the court might think it unreasonable to hold the other party; intentions of adjustment, in which both parties have confided, but in which one of them finds himself deceived.
In the case at bar, the first writ of review was discontinued, be cause both parties had withdrawn themselves: neither of them appeared when called, the one to prosecute, or the other to defend. A former suit, concluded in this manner, would not be a bar to a second action, commenced for the same cause. So far as a writ of review is a writ of right, and an original suit, it is within the principles which regulate other suits, where a nonsuit with leave, or a discontinuance by the non-appearance of the parties, is no bar to another action for the same cause.
Motion overruled.
Co. Lit. 139.