Lansdale v. Smith’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

56 federal appellate · 15 district · 48 state decisions

Most-quoted passages

The sentences later courts lift from this opinion, ranked by how many decisions quote each — the parts of the opinion doing the work. These counts are smaller than the citation total above because most of the 192 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. ““Should set forth in this bill specifically what were the impediments to an earlier prosecution of his claim, how he' came to be so long ignorant of his rights, and the means used by the respondent to fraudulently keep him in ignorance, and how and when he first came to a knowledge of the matters alleged in his bill; otherwise, the chancellor may justly refuse to consider his case, on his own showing, without inquiring whether there is a demurrer or formal plea of the statute of limitation contained in the answer.””

   3 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. Hardt v. Heidweyer · Van Vleet v. Sledge

2. ““A court of equity will not give relief against conscience or public convenience where a party has slept upon his rights. ‘Nothing’ says Bord Cam den, 3 Bro. Ch. R. 640, ‘can call forth this court into activity but conscience, good faith, and reasonable diligence; when these are wanting, the court is passive and does nothing.’ Bengih of time necessarily obscures all human evidence, and deprives parties of the means of ascertaining the nature of original transactions; it operates by way of presumption in favor of the party in possession. Bong acquiescence and laches by parties out of possession are productive of much hardship and injustice to others, and cannot he ex-oiisod hut by showing some actual hindrance or impediment caused by the fraud or concealment of the party in possession, which will appeal to the conscience of the chancellor. The party guilty of such laches, cannot; screen his title from the just imputation of staleness merely by the allegation of an imaginary impediment or technical disability.””

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. Caulk v. Pace · Bower v. Stein

3. ““The doctrine of courts of equity to withhold relief from those who have delayed the assertion of their claims for an unreasonable length of time is thoroughly settled. Its application depends on the circumstances of the particular case. It is not a mere matter of lapse of time, but of change of situation during neglectful repose, rendering it inequitable to afford relief.””

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. Thurmond v. Chesapeake & O. Ry. Co.