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47 Ill. 107

Christopher v. Ballinger

Illinois Supreme Court

Decided January 15, 1868

Illinois Supreme Court · decided 1868-01-15

Edward Y. Bice, Judge, presiding. This was an action of assumpsit, brought by Ballinger against Christopher, at the March term, 1867, of the Circuit Court of Macoupin county, to recover upon a promissory note. Judgment was rendered for the plaintiff, and defendant appeals to this court. The only question made in this court is, whether a promise, with or without a consideration, to dismiss the suit, can be pleaded in bar.

Cited by 3 later decisions — most recently February 1907

1 federal appellate · 2 state decisions

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1868-01-15

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Mr. Chief Justice Breese

¶1delivered the opinion of the Court:

¶2This was an action of assumpsit, on a promissory note, and it was specially pleaded in bar to the suit, that the plaintiff ' agreed with the defendant, if he would pay the costs of the suit, he would dismiss it. The defendant paid ten dollars as the amount of the costs, but the plaintiff proceeded with his suit.

¶3Instead of taking issue on this plea, the plaintiff should have interposed a demurrer to it, which would have brought up the sufficiency of the defence, and no court would hesitate to decide the promise to dismiss the suit was no bar to its prosecution.

¶4If pleaded in abatement, it might possibly have authorized a dismissal, or if a motion supported by affidavit had been made to dismiss, it might have been successful; but, as a bar, it was of no effect.

¶5If the defendant has sustained damages by the non-performance of the agreement, he may, perhaps, maintain an action therefor, if he can show there was a consideration for the plaintiff’s promise, good in law, which we think would be difficult.

¶6The judgment is affirmed.

¶7Judgment affirmed.

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