Case ID: la_17/html/0626-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Mariis, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Wilcox & Al. v. Huie.
    It is irregular and illegal to set aside a judgment by default to permit dilatory exceptions to be filed; but the order setting aside such judgment cannot be treated as a nullity, in order to render final judgment. It might be waived, and tbo exceptions considered; but the regular way •was to rescind the order, as improperly made.
    Appeal from the court of the first judicial district.
    This is a suit against Huie & Hale as indorsers of a note.
    ■Judgment by default having been rendered against Huie on failing to ■answer, the next day his counsel filed dilatory exceptions, and ha'd the judg[427] ment by default set aside. Three days afterwards, the plaintiff, on proving his demand, had final judgment against Huie, without deciding on the exceptions; the court disregarding them and treating the order setting . aside the judgment by default as a nullity. From this judgment Huie appealed, who is alone before the court.
    
      Josephs for the plaintiffs.
    
      Peyton & Smith contra.
   Mariis, J.

delivered the opinion of the court.

The defendants being sued as indorsers of a promissory note, failed to . answer, and judgment by default was taken, which on motion of Huie’s counsel was set aside as to him, on filing dilatory exceptions. The judgment was however made final against him; the judge disregarding the exceptions, and ■being of opinion that the order setting aside the judgment by default was a nullity, inasmuch -as it was not granted for the purpose of putting in an an■swer to tins merits, according,to law, hut simply a dilatory exception, which is prohibited by the 28d section of the Act of 1839, amending the Code of Practice.

It appears to us the court erred. The order setting aside the judgment by default was erroneous, but not a nullity. The plaintiff had a right to have it rescinded, but this he might waive, and the cause be proceeded in to judgment on the exceptions, notwithstanding the order remained undisturbed. This would have required him on the exceptions being overruled, to take a new judgment by default, unless an answer was filed. Such a proceeding would have been more circuitous, but certainly unexceptionable. The shortest and most regular way would have been to rescind the order, allowing the exceptions to be filed, as having been improperly made. The plaintiff has, however, chosen to pursue a still shorter mode of proceeding, which appears to us illegal.

The defendant, Hale, made a separate defence and there was a verdict and judgment against him; and both defendants have united in the same appeal. But by an agreement on file signed by Hale, “ he withdraws his pleas [428] herein, and as far as his interest is concerned, admits the correctness of the judgment,”

It is therefore ordered, adjudged and decreed, that the judgment of the district court be affirmed as to the defendant, Hale, by consent: And it is further ordered and decreed that said judgment be annulled and reversed so far as it relates to the defendant Huie; and the case remanded for further proceedings according to law; the plaintiffs and appellees paying the costs of the appeal.