448 S.E.2d 174 | Ga. | 1994
A long-standing dispute between the parties regarding the boundary between their properties and other property-related matters
1. Appellant’s contention that he was entitled to judgment as a matter of law is based on his assertions that the trial court erred in two respects in admitting into evidence a plat prepared by a surveyor
Appellant’s argument that the plat was inadmissible because of failure to meet the technical requirements of OCGA § 15-6-67 is also without merit. Nothing in that Code section, which deals only with recordation of plats, refers to the admissibility of plats. That the legislature intended the requirements for recordation to be limited to that purpose is evident from the provision in OCGA § 15-6-69 (a) that failure of a plat to meet the requirements of § 15-6-67 shall not affect or invalidate any legal description or legal instrument based on the plat. Here, as in Durden v. Kerby, 201 Ga. 780 (1) (41 SE2d 131) (1947), where a plat was admitted although it did not meet the technical requirements which would make it presumptive evidence, the admission of the plat was proper for the purpose of illustrating other competent testimony regarding the boundary. See also King v. Browning, 246 Ga. 46 (1) (268 SE2d 653) (1980). The evidence, which properly included the plat, was sufficient to support the jury’s verdict.
2. Appellant’s other complaint on appeal is that the injunctive relief granted to appellee did not correctly reflect the jury’s verdict. The jury found, on a form presenting them with two issues regarding boundaries, that the line between the lots involved was as contended by appellee. Handwritten on the verdict form was an additional note in which the jury requested that the trial court allow “the Defendant’s residence to remain as to the Defendant’s wishes or his heirs or future owners.” The trial court’s judgment provided that appellant was enjoined from coming onto appellee’s property, “Provided However, that the portion of Defendant’s dwelling house as presently existing and encroaching ... on Plaintiff’s land is permitted to remain as a permissive encroachment.” Appellant contends on appeal that the judgment conflicts with the intent of the jury’s verdict because the injunction as worded will not permit appellant to go onto appellee’s property in order to maintain the portion of the structure which encroaches on appellee’s property.
A trial court has authority to amend a verdict in matters of form, or to put it in such shape as to speak the true intent of the jury in accordance with the pleadings and the evidence; but it does not have authority to write a new verdict different from the one returned by the jury. Davis v. Wright, 194 Ga. 1 (4) (21 SE2d 88) (1942). The record of this case does not demonstrate that the jury intended appel
Based on an analogy to the law of easements, but without any authority to support the analogy, appellant argues on appeal, as he did on motion for new trial, that the right to keep his house where it is brings with it those rights requisite to its fair enjoyment. We do not find that analogy to be apt. Appellant has not been granted an easement, but has been shown mercy by the jury notwithstanding his illegal encroachment on appellee’s' property. The judgment entered by the trial court included every finding made by the jury and was not subject to the amendment appellant requested the trial court to make.
Judgment affirmed.
See Purcell v. C. Goldstein & Sons, Inc., 166 Ga. App. 547 (305 SE2d 10) (1983).