Lead Opinion
A рerusal of the record in this case has led us to the conviction that the master and the chancellor ruled corrеctly on all issues involved except the one whether the appellee Glenn *327 Stewart had heen guilty of adultery as сharged in the answer. We are of the opinion that this misconduct on his part was established and that, both parties being at fault, the case should have been dismissed.
It is, therefore, the order of this court that the final decree be reversed with direсtions to dismiss the bill of complaint and the counterclaim.
Concurrence Opinion
concurring specially:
I concur in what is said and in the conclusiоn reached in the opinion prepared by Mr. Justice BARNS on rehearing granted; but, in addition thereto I am constrained to say that I have carefully studied the record and, as I see it, the record contains a great deal of testimony pro аnd con which is strong enough to create a very substantial suspicion that the plaintiff has been guilty of adultery but I think the record fаils to reveal any substantial legal evidence to establish the fact that he was guilty of adultery. «
*329 For the reasons stated in the majority opinion, and also for this additional reason, I concur in the view that the decree of the Chancellor should be affirmed.
Dissenting Opinion
Dissenting:
I recognize the force of the excellent and cаrefully considered opinion of the majority of the court. I think it will meet the approbation of the majority of the bar оf the State of Florida, especially of those who have had the most to do with the many distressing situations which grow out of the mаrried state. Nevertheless it introduces a new doctrine into the law of divorce in this State, a doctrine which, despite its appeal, has been resisted by the overwhelming weight of decisions of final courts of appeal throughout the nation, after carefully weighing its merits. This is true not only in cases decided in a bygone era, but in many cases decided quite recently. So that it cannot be yet said that there is a marked trend toward a judicial change in the old conceptions of recrimination as a defense in divorce actions.
It is true that enough decisions have accumulated over the years tо the same general effect as is enunciated in the majority opinion, to warrant a sub-title in both Corpus Juris and in American Jurisрrudence on the doctrine of “comparative rectitude.” But a study of the cases cited in the footnotes will demonstrate that, with the exception of one or two jurisdictions, it has not been followed. North Carolina decisions are thе result of a peculiarity of its statutes. Pennsylvania seemed to follow such a doctrine in some early cases, but is not сommitted. Michigan experimented with it, and finally rejected it. Washington (and possibly Texas) follow it more or less consistently. Maryland rejected it point blank. Without covering the whole field, it will be found that in spite of a great temptation to become more liberal, our courts have quite consistently resisted such temptation.
Our state has established the doctrine by statute. If it is tо be adopted in Florida, I think we should “pass a law.”
I reluctantly dissent from the opinion of the majority.
Addendum
ON REHEARING GRANTED
The appellee brought suit for divorce and appellant answеred and counterclaimed for separate maintenance. The. issues were referred to a master who was аuthorized and directed to make findings of fact. The master found the equities for the appellee husband and the Chancellor entered a final decree granting him a divorce and denying the appellant wife separate maintenanсe. The wife appeals.
The parties charge each other with misconduct, misbehavior, desertion and general abandonment of the marriage obligations. Generally speaking, judging from the cold record it might reasonably be said that еach proved his or her charges, however, the master had the parties and the witnesses before him and had better opportunity to judge of the merits of the controversy than can possibly be gleaned from the record by us. It is evident from the record that each of the parties have been derelict toward discharging the obligations of marriage and it might reаsonably be said that recrimination has been established by each against the other if all the testimony is to be accepted at face value. However, the master and Chancellor found the equities with the plaintiff and it has not been made to affirmatively appear that inequity has been done by the Chancellor by his decree of divorce.
The application of the doctrine of recrimination in divorce cases is an outgrowth of the equity maxim that “he who comes intо equity must come with clean hands.”
It is not an absolute but a qualifying doctrine. If it were *328 to be applied strictly great inequity would be done, for it so often happens that neither party to a suit has been free from fault. This is especially true in divorce matters generally, and in this case in particular.
The principle is most applicable when a party seeks to take advantage of an act or omission which he has himself induced.
The maxim may be invoked because of the very nature of the wrong either for the benefit of the Court and society or for the benefit of the defendant when to do otherwise would be to allow plaintiff to take an unfair advantage of the defendant.
The application of the doctrine of recrimination like the doctrine of cleаn hands is a matter of sound judicial discretion dependent on public policy, public welfare and the exigencies of the case at bar.
Pursuant to the order granting a rehearing, able arguments of counsel for the respective parties have been heard, pertinent parts of the pivotal testimony have been inspected, rechecked and studied and the Court again being advised of its judgment to be given in the premises, it is our- view and holding that the order of reversal be set аside and held for naught and that the order and decree of the Chancellor below be and the same is hereby affirmed.
Affirmed.