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1 N.C. 146

Anonymous

Superior Court of North Carolina

Decided November 15, 1798

Superior Court of North Carolina · decided 1798-11-15

<p>The Superior Courts cannot reverse one of their judgments for error in a matter of law; but if it be absolutely void they will set it aside at any time, in motion.</p>

Decided 1798-11-15

Haywood, J.

¶1When this court passes a judgment, and the term expires; it cannot, in general, be set aside but by a writ of error: and then only in a case where the error is in a matter of fact, to be *147tried by a jury. If the error be in a matter of law, this court cannot reverse its own judgment for any such error; for then proceedings would be endless: but if the judgment be absolutely void, being given against a person who was not served with process; or if it be taken irregularly against the known rules of the court, it may be set aside at any time on motion.

¶2Here the property was not taken into the actual custody of the officer; had it been so, the law supposes notice would have come to the defendant; and without such an actual taking of the property levied on, into the officer’s custody, the attachment is not well executed and does not bring the defendant into court: consequently this judgment was irregular, having been taken against one not in court, and must therefore be set aside.

¶3Judgment set aside.

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