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79 Mass. 1

Dingman v. Myers

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · decided 1859-06-15

Audita querela. At the trial in the court of common pleas in Berkshire, the following facts were proved: Myers sued out of that court a writ of attachment against Dingman, who was described therein as formerly of West Stockbridge, but now of the State of New York, and who in fact was not then, or ever since, a resident of this commonwealth. There was no service upon him and no appearance by or for him in the action.

Relies on Brown v. Porter · Johnson v. Harvey · Gridley v. Harraden

Decided 1859-06-15

Dewey, J.

¶1The giving of a bond to repay the amount of the judgment, if reversed on review within a year, was a prerequisite to issuing an execution, and imperatively required by the Rev. Sts. c. 92, § 6. For this error the question now arises, what is the proper remedy? A writ of error does not lie in such case, as was held in Johnson v. Harvey, 4 Mass. 483. The defendant in the former suit might have sued out a writ of review within a year after the rendition of the judgment. We *3think he may also resort to his writ of audita querela, given by the Rev. Sts. c. 112, § 1. This seems to be sanctioned by the court in their opinion in the case of Johnsonv. Harvey, above cited. In Lovejoy v. Webber, 10 Mass. 103, it was said that the cases where audita querela is a proper remedy are left to be determined by the rules of the common law. It was also held to be a concurrent remedy with a petition for review.

¶2This form of proceeding has more usually been resorted to, to procure a discharge from an illegal arrest improperly obtained, or a release of property from being sold upon an execution then in force, and in the hands of an officer. But this remedy is not thus restricted. 2 Saund. 148, notes. Com. Dig. Audita Querela, A. Gridley v. Harraden, 14 Mass. 497.

¶3Upon the facts offered in evidence, the writ of audita querela was a proper remedy, the execution issued illegally, and all proceedings under it must be vacated. Exceptions sustained.

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