Mayhew v. Robinson

10 How. Pr. 162 | N.Y. Sup. Ct. | 1854

By the court—Marvin, P. J.

In Gardiner agt. Clark, (6 How. Pr. R. 449,) it was held that the distinction between pleas in abatement and pleas in bar is not abolished by the Code, and that an objection in the nature of a plea in abatement can not be taken in a general answer, and is waived by an answer upon the merits. That the Code has not attempted to regulate the order and effect of pleadings by the defendant, and, as I understand the opinion, matter in abatement must now, as formerly, be pleaded, and the question thus raised be disposed of before any defence upon the merits is pleaded. This case was followed in King agt. Vanderbilt, (7 How. Pr. R. 385,) by Justice Johnson. In Bridge agt. Pay son, (5 Sand. S. C. R. 210,) subsequently decided, a different conclusion was arrived at. It was held, that if the matter in abatement constitute a defence, it must be stated in the answer. In that case the same question arose as in the present case; the defendant answered by denying the allegations in the complaint, and then alleging the non-joinder of his co-partner as a defendant.

Upon a careful examination of the question, I have come to the conclusion that Gardiner agt. Clark can not be sustained, and that Bridge agt. Payson was properly decided.

Justice Allen, in Gardiner agt. Clark, seems to attach some importance to the language used in § 140, by which all forms of pleading, inconsistent with the provisions of the act, were abolished, and he argued that the old order of pleading matter in abatement and bar was not inconsistent with the system or provisions of the Code. Without stopping to consider this view of the question, it is proper to notice, that by the amendment of 1852 the words “ inconsistent with the provisions of this act” were stricken out, and the section was restored to its ■condition as enacted in 1848; the words thus stricken out having been inserted by the amendments of 1849. As the law now stands, all the forms of pleading heretofore existing are abolished; and the forms of pleadings and the rules by which • their sufficiency are to be determined are those prescribed by 0 that act. A leading object of the Code was to discontinue all distinction between legal and equitable remedies, and the establishment of a uniform course of proceeding in all cases. (See Preamble to Code.) The definition of an action was intended to include all actions at law and suits in equity. (§ 2.) And by § 69 the distinction between actions at law and suits in ■equity, and the forms of all such actions and suits previously existing, are abolished. Keeping these provisions in mind, and also the rales of pleading and practice as they existed in the two differing systems abolished, and we are prepared to examine “ the forms of pleading,” and “ the rales by which the sufficiency of the pleadings are to be determined.”

The first pleading, on the part of the plaintiff, is the complaint, (§ 141,) and the various rules, in reference to its form and construction, are prescribed.

The only pleading on the part of the defendant is either a demurrer or an answer. (§ 143.) In § 144 the causes of demurrer are specified. If certain facts appear on the face of the complaint, the objection may be taken by demurrer. If it appears from the complaint that there is a defect of parties, plaintiff or defendant, the defendant may for this cause demur. If the objectionable fact does not appear upon the face of the complaint, the objection may be taken by answer. What answer, when, and in what order 1 Let us see what is said about answer. By § 149, the answer of the defendant must contain, 1. A general or specific denial, &e.; 2. A statement of new matter constituting a defence or counter-claim. By § 150 the defendant may set forth by answer as many defences and counter-claims as he may havethey must be separately stated. Is there any authority here for more than one answer or for a succession of answers'? There is authority for setting forth by anwer as many defences as the defendant may have, with the requirement that they be separately stated, clearly showing that all his defences are to be put forth at once and in the same answer.

May a defendant, who is sued alone upon a counter-claim made by himself and partner jointly, interpose the non-joinder of his partner as a defence ? If it is apparent upon the face of the complaint that his partner should have been joined, he may demur, and this will defeat the action, unless the plaintiff1 amend by making the partner omitted a party defendant. A plea in abatement for non-joinder of another as defendant was always a defence. (Gould’s Pl. Ch. 2, §§ 10,11, &c.; Chit. Pl. v. 1, Pleas in Abatement.) Pleas in abatement were called dilatory pleas, because they delayed the plaintiff and prostrated or demolished the particular writ or bill, but did not show that the plaintiff had no cause of action. If the defence was, that the plaintiff had no cause of action at any time, present or future, in respect to the supposed causes of action, the plea of such defence was called a plea in bar. (Ch. PL id.) But I do not understand that it has been denied that matter, which will abate the action, constitutes a defence in contemplation of the Code. Some of the judges have, however, said that the term defence, as used in the Code, meant a bar to the action. I have heretofore endeavored to show that such construction was erroneous.

It may be remarked that unless matter in abatement constitutes a defence, there is no authority for pleading it. The only authority for pleading any matter other than a denial, is “ new matter constituting a defence.” There is no authority for but one answer, and the authority to set forth in that answer all the defences the defendant has, is clear and explicit. In my opinion the defendant must set forth all the defences he relies upon in the answer. The order of pleading at common law is abrogated, and we must look to the provisions of the Code alone. In equity, the defendant might take the objection of a want of parties in the answer.

It may appear to those accustomed to the superseded systems, that the present system, permitting the defendant to interpose any and all defences in the same answer, will, in practice, lead to great difficulties and failures of justice. If we properly consider the entire system of the Code, I think any such apprensions will be removed. The rules touching pleadings, practice and judgments, as established by the Code, are very different from those existing at common law. They are now nearly analogous to the rules prevailing in a court of equity. The court has great powers in moulding the judgment, and in .adapting it to the rights of the parties as established upon the trial. Upon the trial, the court may propound questions in writing to the jury, and require, them to find upon those questions of fact. The special finding of facts is to control the general verdict. (§§ 261, 262.) It is sometimes proper and vquite necessary to submit to the jury special questions of fact, so as to enable the court to render a judgment that shall preserve the rights of the parties. Suppose, in a case like the present, the question whether there was a non-joinder of a person that should have been made defendant is raised, and the evidence upon that issue should be proper for the jury, the court could, and probably should, put to the jury a written question; suppose the jury should find a general verdict for the plaintiff, and in answer to the question submitted should find the answer true, that is, that there was a person living who should have been joined as defendant. This finding would control the general verdict, and the court could give judgment of discontinuance without prejudice to an action for the same cause against the proper parties ; thus this judgment, like the judgment at common law, abating the action, or the decree in equity dismissing the complaint without prejudice, &c., would not constitute a bar to an action against the proper parties.

Again, the profession should keep constantly in mind the large and ample provisions touching amendments of pleadings and proceedings. An amendment may be had “ by adding or striking out the name of a party.” (§ 273.) In the present case, when the plaintiff was informed by the answer that Fletcher was a joint-contractor, &c., &c., and that he was living, he could have applied to the court for leave to amend, and could have made Fletcher a party defendant.

Again, suppose the plaintiff should not be satisfied that the answer was true, and should go to trial, and the answer should be proved; I think the court might, even then, permit the plaintiff to withdraw a juror, and permit him to amend upon proper terms. And in the present case, after it had appeared before the referee that Fletcher should have been joined as a defendant, I think the plaintiff might have applied to the referee to adjourn the trial, so as to enable him to apply to the court for leave to amend. I have in such cases permitted amendments while the cause was pending before the referee. Perhaps in a case like the present, it might, upon making another person a party, result in vacating the order of reference. It might result in an abandonment of any defence. There might be no defence, when the proper parties should be joined as defendants. It so now appears in the present case.

The judgment must be reversed, and a new trial must be ordered. As the plaintiff appears to have a good cause of action against the defendant and Fletcher, but must fail in his action unless he amends and makes Fletcher a party, I can see no objection to the court now permitting him to amend, and thus save the necessity of an application to the court at special term. The defendant has pleaded the non-joinder,' and the referee has found the fact showing that Fletcher must be joined as a defendant. It seems to me that this court- may make the order giving leave to amend; and the terms, I think, should be upon payment of the costs of the trial before the referee, and the costs of the appeal.^*

* On consultation, it was concluded to reverse the judgment, and leave the plaintiff to his application at special term for leave to amend, &c.