27 Ga. App. 425 | Ga. Ct. App. | 1921
In this case the defendant sought to avoid payment of a note by showing a settlement with an attorney for less than was due thereon. The principle involved is settled by § 4956 of the Civil Code (1910), which is as follows: “Without special authority, attorneys cannot receive anything in discharge of a client’s claim but the full amount in cash.” In Kaiser v. Hancock, 106 Ga. 217 (32 S. E. 123), it was held: “Without special authority, an attorney can not accept anything in discharge of his client’s claim but the full amount thereof in cash. And where a plaintiff introduces evidence which makes out a prima facie case in his favor for the full amount for which he sues, proof by the defendant, in support of a plea filed by. him, that he has paid to the attorney of record for the plaintiff a sum less than the amount sued for, as a full settlement of the plaintiff’s demand against him, raises no presumption that the attorney was authorized by the plaintiff to make such a settlement. Consequently, under such circumstances, the burden is upon the defendant to show the authority of the plaintiff’s attorney to make
Judgment affirmed.