| Pa. | Jul 2, 1874
delivered the opinion of the court, July 2d 1874.
The validity of the judgment against the defendant is unquestioned. It was regularly obtained by adverse proceedings, before any proceedings in bankruptcy were commenced against the defendant. The plaintiff claims it to be a lien on certain real estate, formerly owned by the defendant, and seeks to sell the same by virtue of execution issued on this judgment.
The assignee in bankruptcy of the defendant denies the existence of the lien. On application of the assignee, the court enjoined the plaintiff against selling the real estate conveyed by said assignee to Jacob Coo ver.
The general rule unquestionably is, to permit a sale of any alleged interest in land of the defendant in the judgment. If the defendant has no interest in the land, no title passes. The question of title is usually left to be determined in an action of ejectment: Hunter’s Appeal, 4 Wright 194. It is true this case recognises the right of the court to enjoin against a sale of the real estate of the wife on an execution against her husband. It was supported on the express language of the statute absolutely prohibiting the property of a married woman from levy and sale for the debts and liabilities of her husband, and the unquestioned fact that the land was the exclusive property of the wife. It was there said, a clear case of title in the wife must be shown, “ otherwise a court of equity will not interfere, but leave the creditor to pursue his process, and the purchaser at the sale to establish his title in ejectment.”
It must be conceded, if the assignee in bankruptcy rests his right on the proceedings in bankruptcy alone, he is not entitled to
Upon bill in equity subsequently filed in the Circuit Court of the United States, by the petitioning creditor, and by the assignee in bankruptcy, against the assignees under state law, it was adjudged and decreed that said voluntary assignment was null and void; it provided, however, that all acts theretofore duly performed by the assignees under the assignment, for the benefit of the creditors, be deemed valid and effectual, on their duly accounting to the assignee in bankruptcy for what they had received, and that they surrender and deliver over to him all the remaining estate and effects. It was further ordered, that from and after said decree they desist from acting therein further than directed thereby.
This decree of the Circuit Court may be held sufficient to ratify the previous acts of the assignees under the laws of this state, and to prohibit their further action. Its binding force may extend to all persons and things brought within the jurisdiction of that court. The plaintiff in this case, however, was not a party to those proceedings. No question was there considered as to the lien of his judgment, nor as to his rights as a creditor of the bankrupt. He never presented or proved his claim before the register in bankruptcy. He in no manner took part in any of the proceedings in bankruptcy. He rested upon his judgment and relied upon the lien which he claims to have thereby acquired.
Without giving any binding opinion as to the validity of the lien claimed by the plaintiff, wTe feel constrained to say that its invalidity .is not so clear as to justify the order made by the court below. The plaintiff should be at liberty to proceed and sell, and the purchaser to try his title by ejectment.
Order reversed.