380 Mass. 936 | Mass. | 1980
Ackerman has a contingent claim for contribution against Kim unless that claim was impaired by the 1972 judgment between Porter and Kim. Cf. Hayon v. Coca Cola Bottling Co., 375 Mass. 644 (1978); O’Mara v. H.P. Hood & Sons, 359 Mass. 235 (1971). Ackerman has argued that the 1972 judgment could not be given any such effect because it was “not on the merits” or “without prejudice.” But it appears from G. L. c. 231, § 64, and Superior Court Rules 36 and 37, see also G. L. c. 250, § 15 — all as in force in 1972 prior to the adoption of our Civil Rules — that a judgment of nonsuit for failure to answer interrogatories was intended to operate with full preclusive effect, unless vacated or set aside by the plaintiff on the terms and within any time limits prescribed. No case is cited that is precisely in point on the facts, but such cases as Beserosky v. Mason, 269 Mass. 325 (1929), show the way. The Appellate Division referred as an analogy to the older law regarding the dismissal of a cause of action on demurrer, which could ripen into a judgment with preclusive force, as indicated in Osserman v. Jacobs, 369 Mass. 200, 203-205 (1975). It may be added that under Mass. R. Civ. P. 33 (a), 368 Mass. 906 (1976), and 37 (d), 41 (b) (3), 365 Mass. 797, 803 (1974), certain failures to answer interrogatories may result similarly in preclusion of claims.
On petition for rehearing, Ackerman offered the new argument that even if the 1972 judgment was “on the merits” as between Porter and Kim, it should not be held to preclude Ackerman’s claim for contribution
There was argument that the service of process by Ackerman on Kim was not properly made, but the question need not be pursued.
Order dismissing report affirmed.
Section 4, inserted by St. 1962, c. 730, § 1, provides: “When a release or covenant not to sue or not to enforce judgment is given in good faith to one of two or more persons liable in tort for the same injury: (a) It shall not discharge any of the other tortfeasors from liability for the injury unless its terms so provide; but it shall reduce the claim against the others to the extent of any amount stipulated by the release or the covenant, or in the amount of the consideration paid for it, whichever is the greater; and (b) It shall discharge the tortfeasor to whom it is given from all liability for contribution to any other tortfeasor.”