44 F.R.D. 476 | W.D. Pa. | 1968
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER ON MOTION TO SET ASIDE DEFAULT
This is a motion pursuant to Rule 55. (c) to set aside the entry of default by the Clerk and to permit filing of the answer to the complaint and answers to the-interrogatories.
On July 20, 1967 the complaint was. filed with the Clerk. He in turn issued the summons and delivered it to the Marshal. [Rule 4(a)]. On October 10, 1967, the summons was returned by the Marshal as being served on September 18, 1967. On the same date, plaintiff’s counsel directed the Clerk to enter the default, and the Clerk’s record shows that the default was entered on October 10, 1967 for failure to file an answer to the complaint. Pittsburgh counsel for the defendant has-filed the instant motion. There are several factual averments set forth in the-motion which are sworn to by counsel. The entries on the Clerk’s docket between July 20, 1967 and October 10, 1967 are-revealing. For instance, his docket shows that defendant’s counsel filed interrogatories directed to plaintiff on August 1st. However, Mr. Very for defendant in a sworn affidavit says that on re
Defendant’s counsel says that in Jones Act cases, and often in admiralty, a summons will lay in the office of the Marshal without prompt service awaiting the arrival of a vessel to the Pittsburgh port. The neglect on the part of defendant’s counsel was his failure to cheek the Clerk’s docket. But it is true, as he says, that the papers in the Clerk’s file jacket which were checked showed no issuance or service of a summons. Counsel says under these circumstances he assumed that no summons was served and was awaiting its receipt from New York counsel. It is averred also in the motion that as late as October 6th local counsel checked the original papers in the Clerk’s office and found no indication even at that time that the summons had been served and found only the entry of the filing of the complaint and the interrogatories. But on that date says counsel he prepared an answer to the interrogatories still unaware that the summons had been served.
Under the circumstances it seems to this Court that leniency must be shown and that the Court’s discretion must be exercised in favor of setting aside the default.
A case in this Circuit decided by Judge Staley—Tozer v. Charles A. Krause Milling Co., 189 F.2d 242 (1951) sets forth-the principles. It appears that counsel for the defendant has been diligent in this matter even though misguided in one respect, that is, failure to check the-Clerk’s docket. However, the general circumstances require that relief be given defendant from the entry of the default.