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14 Abb. Pr. 340

Townsend v. Newell

New York Supreme Court

Decided May 15, 1862

New York Supreme Court · decided 1862-05-15

Summons to show cause why two joint-debtors, against whom judgment had been entered, should not be bound by the judgment. This action was brought in 1852, by Henry D. Townsend against Lindley Murray, Jr., and Stewart Newell, surviving partners of the firm of William Tyack & Co., upon an acceptance. The summons and complaint were served only upon Murray, Newell being at that time a non-resident. Judgment had been entered in form against both defendants in 1856.

Decided 1862-05-15

Ingraham, P. J.

¶1The summons that was served in this case is sufficient, and contains all that the statute allows. The 375th section directs that the defendant shall be summoned to show cause why he should not be bound by the judgment, in the same manner as if he had been originally summoned; and the 377th section provides that the summons should require the person to show cause within twenty days after the service of the summons.

¶2The 378th section directs that the summons should be accompanied with an affidavit specifying the amount due, &c.

¶3There is no difficulty in understanding from these sections what is required.

¶4This summons does not require' an answer to the complaint. For the purpose of the action, the claim is considered as established against the firm, but the defendant summoned is allowed by section 379 to set up any defence which he might have originally made to the action, except the Statute of Limitations.

¶5The only fault with the notice served is, that it fixes a time and place for showing cause. This was not intended. The summons should merely require the defendant to show cause within twenty days after service of the summons.

¶6If within that time the defendant answers, the case then goes on to issue and trial, like any other action.

¶7If he does not answer, the plaintiff, in this as in the original action, may apply to the court on an ex-parte application, at any time after the twenty days, for the relief he is entitled to, —viz., an order that the defendant be bound by the judgment.

¶8*342It has been held that this proceeding is not an action, and these views, as well as the other proceedings, are fully described in Mills a. Thursby (2 Abbotts’ Pr., 432).

¶9In Harper a. Bangs et al. (18 How. Pr., 457), it was held to he sufficient to state in the summons what is required in these sections.

¶10I see no difficulty on this summons, with proof of service and proof that no answer or demurrer has been received, in giving to the plaintiff an order that the defendant served should be bound by the judgment.

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