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73 Cal. 72

Smith v. Ling

California Supreme Court

Decided July 1, 1887

California Supreme Court · decided 1887-07-01

<p>Practice — Striking out Complaint — Dismissal of Action.—An action is properly dismissed if the complaint therein has been stricken out by the consent of both parties.</p>

Cited by 1 later decisions — most recently October 1942

1 state decisions

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1887-07-01

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Sharpstein, J.

¶1The record on this appeal consists of a copy of a complaint, and of an answer denying all the allegations of the complaint and of a judgment in these words:—

¶2“Wednesday, June 10, 1885. This cause came regularly on for trial, all parties in court with their respective attorneys; upon motion of the plaintiff and by consent of defendant, ordered that the amended complaint he stricken out. Defendant moved the court for judgment upon the pleadings. Motion argued, and ordered that the action be dismissed.

¶3A. Brunson, Judge.”

¶4The form is unique, but we gather from it that the complaint was stricken out by consent of both parties, and that the court then dismissed the action. We see no error in that. After the complaint was stricken out there was no case to try, and it was proper to dismiss the proceeding. An action can only be commenced by filing a complaint, and when the complaint is stricken out the action is terminated.

¶5Judgment affirmed.

McFarland, J., and Thornton, J., concurred.
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