20 N.C. 381 | N.C. | 1839
_ . We do not concur in the opinion that lessor of the plaintiff is concluded by the award, or the judgment thereon, from setting up title to the premises described in the declaration. That opinion, was. no doubt, founded upon the doctrine sanctioned in the case ot Doe on demise, Morris and others v. Rosser—3rd East. 15, which has been followed out by other adjudications of respectable courts, and is recognised in elementary treatises of great general correctness. It is not necessary for us to examine whether this doctrine is a part of the law of this State, because we believe, that correctly understood, it does not apply to the case before us. In the leading case above referred to, it was decided that where the lessor of the plaintiff and the defendant in ejectment had before submitted their right to the land to the decision of an arbitrator who had awarded in favour of the lessor, the award concludes the defendant from disputing the lessor’s title in an action of ejectment; for, although, say the court, “the award cannot have the operation of conveying the land, yet there is no reason why the defendant may not conclude himself by his own agreement, from disputing the title of the lessor in ejectment. The parties consented that the award of the arbitrator, chosen by themselves, should be conclusive as to the right to the land in controversy between them, and this is sufficient to bind them in an action of ejectment.” To bring the award in question, within the operation of the principles thus asserted, it must appear that the parties had consented that the award of the arbitrators should be conclusive as to the right to the land, and that the arbitrators had definitively adjudged in whom was the right. To us it seems that neither of these is shewn here.. The submission and the award are of record; and by that record it appears that heretofore an action of ejectment for the same land had been instituted on the demise of one Adam Beatty, under whom the defendant, Hogue, claims as purchaser; that to this action Hardin, the lessor of the now plaintiff, was admitted a defendant, upon
The judgment of the Superior Court must be reversed, and a venire ele novo awarded.
Pee. Curiam. Judgment reversed.