56 Fla. 211 | Fla. | 1908
The plaintiffs in error sued the de
The 44th Rule of Practice for the Circuit Courts in Common Law Actions provides, “Objections to interrogatories, or to the form in which they are conceived, must be assigned in writing 'before the commission issues, or the deposition is taken.” The word “conceived” as used herein means “expressed in a particular way;” “formulated.” The objection made to the introduction of the depositions in evidence went to- the form in which they were conceived, that is, that they were formulated or expressed in a particular way, to-wit: “they were taken on joint interrogatories and were answered jointly and not severally.” Under Rule 44, this objection should have been made before the deposition was taken. 13 Cyc. 1012, 1013. The defendant waited too long before making this objection to the depositions. He waited until after the jury was empanelled and sworn in the trial of the case.
Objections to the competency or credibility of the deponent and to the propriety of any questions put to
In view of the special circumstances of this case, too, the objection to the depositions offered herein should have been overruled. The depositions were taken upon the following agreement entered into in writing by the counsel for the respective parties:
“It is hereby mutually agreed'between counsel representing the plaintiffs and the defendant, respectively, in the above entitled cause, that the answers of R. P. Canon, W. G. Barnwell and J. S. Canon to the attached original and cross interrogatories may be taken by any notary public in the city of Savannah, Georgia, and by him reduced to writing to be signed and sworn to by said witnesses and thereafter returned by the .notary public to the clerk of the circuit court of Suwannee county, Florida, and the same may be used in evidence in the trial of this cause as though a commission was regularly issued therefor, it being understood that the issuance of a commission is hereby expressly waived. .
It is further agreed that it shall be unnecessary for such notary public to give to' either the plaintiff or de
Signed this October ioth, 1907.
Carter & McCollum,
Attorneys, for Plaintiffs.
J. L. Lee,
Attorney for Defendant.
The original interrogatories referred to and covered by this agreement were framed and propounded in this style: “Original interrogatories to be propounded to R. P. Canon and W. G. Barnwell, plaintiffs in the above cause and as witnesses in behalf of vthe plaintiffs, who reside in the city of Savannah, in Chatham county, Georgia. Interrogatory Nb. 1: You will each state your name, place of residence and business. Interrogatory No. 2. Do you know H. J. Green, lately doing business in Live Ooak; Florida, in the name and style of E. M. Green?”
The defendant crossed these interrogatories by propounding interrogatories framed after this wise: “Cross .interrogatories tos be propounded to R. P. Canon and' W. G. Barnwell, plaintiffs in the above stated cause as witnesses for plaintiffs, who reside in Sayannah, Georgia: Cross Interrogatory No. 1: “Did you have a written contract with the defendant, Green, with reference to this matter that is now in litigation? If so, attach such written contract to your answer toi this interrogatory.” We think the defendant by the written agreement herein and his conduct in respect to the taking of these depositions should be held to have waived any defect in the mere form' thereof.
We do not wish to be understood, by what has been said, as holding that the depositions would be subject to the objection made thereto if seasonably made. There are highly respectable authorities to the effect that
Upon the court’s sustaining the objection and refusing to allow the depositions read in evidence, the plaintiffs elected to take a nonsuit, reserving the right to have the said ruling of the court reviewed by bill of exceptions by the Supreme Court. Thereupon judgment was entered against the plaintiffs. This judgment is reversed, for the error of the court in sustaining the objection to the interrogatories offered by the plaintiffs.
