Public-domain · open source
OpenJurist

18 S.C.L. 8

Exparte Black

Court of Appeals of South Carolina

Decided December 15, 1830

Court of Appeals of South Carolina · decided 1830-12-15

Justice Richardson, made at Columbia, Fall Term, 1830. This was a rule upon the sheriff, to shew cause why an attachment should not issue against -him for not executing a writ of habere facias possessionem,. To this the sheriff made return: “ That according to the exigency of the writ, he had dispossessed the defendant Jane Steel, of the premises in controversy, and pntthe plaintiff, John Black, into possession of them.

Decided 1830-12-15

Johnson J.

¶1delivered the opinion of the Court.

¶2The exigency of the writ of habere facias possessionem, requires that the sheriff should put the plaintiff in possession of the premises, as well as that he should turn out the defendant, and this can only be done' by turning out all who are in possession. The only objection to this course, is, that it might operate upon third persons who were in possession, claiming in their own right, and who were not parties, and who might not have notice of the pendency of the suit. The common law provides an ample remedy for this evil. If the tenant in possession make default or neglect to give the landlord notice of the action, ón a proper case made, the Court will stay execution until his right is tried, 3 Bl. Com. 203-5, thus furnishing a security against ,a collusion between the plaintiff and defendant, to prejudice the rightful owner, and against the combination between the defendant and others pretending title, to the injury of the plaintiff.

¶3The order of the Circuit Court is therefore reversed, and it is ordered that the rule against the sheriff be made absolute, unless he execute the said writ within one month after notice of this opinion.

¶4Motion, granted.

/18/scl/8 · .json · Public domain