Ryer v. Morrison

Decided January 6, 1899

Supreme Court of Rhode Island · decided 1899-01-06

(1) Redemption of Mortgaged Property. Unwarranted Defence. Gomplainant’s Costs. As a general rule, tlie successful complainant in a bill to redeem mortgaged property does not recover costs, but pays costs to the respondent. If, however, respondent sets up an unwarranted defence, or hinders the prosecutioir of the bill, he may be not only deprived of his costs, but, in the discretion of the court, may be required to pay costs to the complainant.

Cited by 1 later decisions — most recently November 1908

1 state decisions

Relies on Turner v. Johnson · Still v. Buzzell

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1899-01-06

View the full empirical analysis of this case →

Per Curiam.

¶1 (1) Though the general rule in regard to costs, on a bill to redeem, is that the complainant, instead of recovering costs, pays them to the respondent, even if successful in the suit, yet when the respondent sets up an unwarranted defence or one which wholly fails, and thereby makes expense and delay in prosecuting the redemption, the respondent may not only be deprived of his own costs but may, in the discretion of the court, be required to pay the complainant’s costs. 2 Jones Mort. 4 ed. § 1111 ; Barton v. May, 8 Sandf. Ch. 450; Still v. Buzzell, 60 Vt. 478; Turner v. Johnson, 95 Mo. 431 (454). In the present case the respondent denied the complainant’s right to redeem and set up in defence an unlawful sale of the property, thereby rendering it necessary for the complainant to file her bill, and hindering and. delaying herein its prosecution. Our opinion is that she is entitled to recover her costs, to be taxed by the clerk.