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9 Tenn. 200

Robertson v. Waters

Tennessee Supreme Court

Decided January 15, 1829

Tennessee Supreme Court · decided 1829-01-15

<p>In an action of covenant, if the damages are not stated in the declaration, it is good cause of special demurrer.</p> <p>Whore a special demurrer points out a defect it may bo amended, but if no application be made to amend by the other party, he proceeds at his peril, and if the objection is good, judgment will be rendered against him.</p>

Decided 1829-01-15

¶1Opinion of the court delivered by

Judge Peck.

¶2In this cause Iwo questions arise; 1st. Is it a good special cause of demurrer, that the damages in an action of co-*201Tenant are left blank in the declaration? 2d. Can the court give judgment for the damages in an action of covenant at the same term the demurrer is argued and overruled, without any inquiry of damages, by a jury?

Cheatham & Barrow, for plaintiff in error.T. Washington, for defendant.

¶3We are of opinion that on the first point made, the demurrer did reach the defect in the declaration.

¶4Our statute of jeofails, (act 1809, ch. 49, sec. 21,) is no broader in terms than the British statute. The difference consists in the parties’right to amend on application. But, if a special demurrer point out the defect, and the parly will proceed without applying to amend the proceedings, he proceeds at his peril. As to demurring for matters of form, see Chitty’s plead. 639-40-1-2, &c. Also same book as to the damages 392-3-4. This point is decisive of the case, and therefore, it is not deemed important, at present, to notice the other.

¶5The court proceeding to render such judgment as the court below ought to have given, reverse the judgment) and order judgment to be rendered in favor of the plain-tiif in error: — that he depart &c. and recover his costs <&c.

¶6Judgment reversed'.

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