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21 Ga. 358

Thomas v. Winter

Supreme Court of Georgia

Decided January 15, 1857

Supreme Court of Georgia · decided 1857-01-15

<p>In a suit in equity against several persons, a demurrer by a part of them, may be heard and determined before the others have been served with the bill.</p>

Cited by 1 later decisions — most recently February 1918

1 state decisions

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1857-01-15

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¶1*359By the Court.

Benning, J.

¶2delivering the opinion.

¶3In this case the only question is, whether the Court below has the right to hear and determine the demurrer of two of defendants before the other defendants had been served with the bill.

¶4We think that the Court had this right. Parties defendants may sever in equity, and each may put in a separate or a different defence. If so, it would seem to follow as a matter of course, that separate defences may be determined separately, at least if they are such that their determination is a matter for the Court and not for the jury.

¶5■ Such separate determination cannot, in general, affect the fights of any of the other parties in the case, whether parties plaintiff or parties defendant.

¶6We say, therefore, that the Court ought to have determined the demurrer. As to what the judgment on the demurrer should have been, we say nothing.

¶7Judgment reversed.

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