Case ID: mart-ns_4/html/0497-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Porter, J.,", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

HICKS vs. DUNCAN & SONS.—STRAWBRIDGE, APLT.
    
    Appeal from the court of the first district.
    Where the Slrat ⅛ east MtLney’fcr ⅛-enTitw to have taLf8 ⅛" HI
   Porter, J.,

delivered the opinion of the court. This case commenced by attachment, and-the appellant was appointed to represent the absent debtors. The plaintiff failed in his action, and the appellant, as attorney for the defendants, moved the couit below, that he should be allowed $301 for his professional services, to be taxed in the costs, and paid by the plaintiff.

This application the judge below refused, ami in our opinion most correctly. In this court it has been sustained, on arguments drawn from the uniform custom which has prevailed, of taxing in cases of this kind, the fees of defendant’s counsel in the plaintiff’s costs, and from considerations of tlm service rendered to the plaintiff, by the appellant's appearing in the cause.

The custom relied on cannot prevail against the law, which limits the tax fee to eleven dollars. The service rendered the plaintiff, by appearing and defeating him in the suit, is not perceived by the court; and even if it were a service, the act of assembly lias fixed the compensation for it. The case in 3 Jlnrfin, contemplates that the payment shall be made out of the property seized : and. as in that case the plaintiff succeeded, there was no positive law standing in the way of the court, allowing the attorney for defendant a compensation equivalent to his services.

It is therefore ordered, adjudged, and de creed, that the judgment of the district court ' IT ~ . |A:le affirmed with costs.

Strawbridge for the plaintiff, Livermore for the defendants.