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7 Rob. 12

Yates v. Horanson

The Superior Court of New York City · decided 1867-05-15

<p>- 1. Where a judgment against two defendants was entered, upon an appearance . and offer to allow judgment, signed by an attorney as “ defendants’ attorney,” the summons, complaint, appearance, offer, its acceptance, proof of service and judgment were all of the same date, and the attorneys for the plaintiffs occupied the same office with the attorney appearing for the defendants, upon an affidavit of one of the defendants, denying that he was ever indebted to the plaintiffs, or a partner of the other defendant; that he was ever served with process in the action; or ever authorized the attorney who appeared, or any one else, to appear for him; ever saw such attorney or heard of Mm; or ever knew of the existence of the judgment, until the sheriff levied on his goods, two years after the judgment was entered; the plaintiffs having made no attempt previously to collect it, although the defendant making such affidavit, did business in the same city with them, all the time, and was fully responsible; Seld that these facts, uncontradicted and unexplained, warranted the setting aside and vacating . of the judgment and execution, as to such defendant.</p> <p>2. Seld, also, that if there was eolhtsion in the entry of the judgment, any question as to the authority or responsibility of the person who appeared for the defendants was wholly immaterial.</p>

Cited by 2 later decisions — most recently December 1929

2 state decisions

Relies on 9 How. Pr. 442 - Blodget v. Conklin & Arnold

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1867-05-15

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By the Court, Robertson, Ch. J.

¶1If there was .collusion in entering up the judgment in question against the defendants, the question of the authority or responsibility of the person who appeared for them is wholly immaterial. In the absence of any explanation of the circumstances in the case tending to establish such collusion, there is no reason for interfering with the finding of the judge at special term in regard to it. Those circumstances were the joint occupation of the same office with the plaintiffs’ attorneys by such person; the cotemporaneousness of the summons, complaint, appearance, offer and acceptance; the want of any acquaintance with such person, by the defendant Jacobson; and the absence of any attempt to collect such judgment for two years, although such defendant did business in this city all the time and was fully responsible. They are neither contradicted nor explained. The court at special term was therefore warranted in making the order in question. (See Denton v. Noyes, 6 John. 296; Blodget v. Conklin, 9 How. Pr. 442.)

¶2The order appealed from must be affirmed; with costs.

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