Case ID: scl_2/html/0233-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

William Skirving against Executors of James Stobo.
    
      Charleston District,
    
    
      1799.
    
    xo interest ¡^opi-n'^or book aecc.nnts or any unli-qoidatod do-mand, pfo\ious to the j'n'y.US °f ^
    ASSUMPSIT for the use and occupation of a house.
    In this case, the jury assessed a sum for the annual rent of the house in question, but allowed no interest on the dil-1 7 ferent sums so fixed for the rent after the expiration of each , 1 year, although the presiding judge, Waties, charged them to that effect.
    This was a motion for a new trial, on the ground, that the interest was recoverable on each year’s rent, after it became due; and also, because it was a finding against the direction and charge of the judge.
   But the judges, after hearing arguments, refused the motion, observing, that this was an unliquidated demand, and no express promise to pay interest after the end of each year, was proved. That it was a matter sounding entirely in damages, which were not ascertained till the finding of the jury, and that too on a quantum valebat; therefore the principle of the cases in the English books, which says interest shall be allowed on all liquidated sums, will not apply in this case; for there was no liquidation here, until the finding of the jury, and upon this principle it is, that juries have, under the direction of the courts for more than twenty years past, refused to allow interest upon all open or book accounts, and this demand is on the same footing.

Rule for a new trial discharged.

Present, Bürre, Grimke and Bay.

JV. B. The instalment act of 1788, allowed interest on all judgments which were not recoverable, otherwise than by five annual instalments. But rent was one of the exceptions out of this act, and could be recovered according to due course of law, without any impediment.