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2 N.H. 305

Rankin v. Nettleton

Superior Court of New Hampshire

Decided November 15, 1820

Superior Court of New Hampshire · decided 1820-11-15

A prisoner made application in writing to two justices of the quorum to he discharged from prison upon taking the poor debtor’s oath, and the justices, on the hack of the application, made an order appointing a time and place of hearing and directing notice to be given to the creditor — a copy of the application and order delivered to the creditor’s attorney, was held to be sufficient notice, although the person who attested and delivered the copy was not an officer.

Decided 1820-11-15

By the Court.

¶1It is contended that the service of the notice upon Rankin's attorney was irregular. It is said that a copy of the application and order ought to have been attest. *306ed and delivered by an officer, or at least that the copy ought to have been attested by the justices, who made the order. But we are of opinion that the notice was sufficient.— The order of the justices was a mere rule to show cause, and it was served in the manner, rules of that kind made in this court are by our practice served ; and the practice of the court of King’s bench in England is the same in this respect.(l) The statute of June 16, 1807, sec. 3,(2) contains a provision “ that no such debtor shall be admitted to the oath “ aforesaid unless he shall have given notice to the creditor « or creditors who committed him to prison, or their agent “ or attorney of the time and place,” «fee.

(1) 1 TkW’s Prao. 453.— TidcPs Prac. Forms 81.(2i 1 N. H. Laws 158.

¶2We are not aware that this clause in the statute can be construed to require a more formal notice than what was given in this case ; and the verdict must be set aside, and a

¶3New trial granted.

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