Case ID: ill-app_18/html/0650-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

No. 28—2297.
    William A. Giles v. John F. Barney et al.
    A proceeding under the Mechanic’s Lien Law where the action was based upon and for work and materials done and furnished under a written contract between the parties. By the fifth clause of the agreement under which the materials.were furnished and the work done, Giles agreed that upon the architect’s acceptance of the work as complete and finished, he would pay to the petitioners the balance in full, “ on the presentation of the architect’s certificate certifying that the contract has been well and truly performed and accepted by him, and that all damages or allowances which should be paid dr made by the parties of the second part have been deducted from the amount of the said final certificate, and also a certificate from the parties of the second part, that all claims and damages for extra work or otherwise, under, or in connection with this contract, have been presented to the architect.” The making by the architect of the one, and by the contractors of the other of said certificates, and the presentation of them respectively to Giles, the owner, by or on behalf of said contractors, was a condition precedent to the right to payment for the final balance under the contract: Packard v. Van Schoick, 58 Ill. 79, and cases there cited; Coey v. Lehman, 79 Ill. 173 ; Downey v. O’Donnell, 86 Ill. 49; Walsh v. Walsh, 11 Bradwell, 199. The petition does not allege, nor the proof show, that the petitioners ever made or presented to Giles any such certificate as is required by said fifth ciause to be made and presented. Neither does the petition allege, or the proof show, the making and presentation of such a certificate by the architect as is required by that clause. The one described in the petition and given in evidence falls substantially short of that required. Nor is there any waiver or excuse alleged or shown in respect to either of said cértificates. The contract being the foundation of the petitioner’s proceeding, and being in all respects lawful and valid, it can be enforced only as the parties have made it. The court was powerless to dispense with the condition precedent to which the court has referred. Decree reversed.
    Judge beffiw, George Gardner.
    Attorneys, for plaintiff in error, Messrs. King & Packard ;
    for defendant in error, Mr. Eugene E. Prussing.
    Opinion filed April 7, 1886.
   Opinion by McAllister, J.