Case ID: sc_79/html/0270-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Mr. Justice Gary.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

6788
    KENNEDY v. HILL.
    1. Pleadings — Reply.—The provisions of the Code by which the defendant may obtain a reply to his answer are intended to enable the defendant to obtain notice of the facts on which plaintiff relies to defeat his defense by way of avoidance. Such facts can only be used for defeating such defense, and not for affirmative relief.
    2. Ibid. — Amendments previous to the trial are liberally allowed.
    Before Dantzi.be., J., York, April, 1907, and Gage, J., July, 1907.
    Affirmed.
    Action by Charles. E. Kennedy and Porter B. Kennedy, late members of the firm of Hill, Kennedy & 'Co., against W. E. Hiilil. From order of Judge Dantzler refusing to strike out reply and from order of Judge Gage permitting an amendment to the complaint, defendant appeals.
    
      Messrs. George W. S. Hart'and Witherspoon & Spencers, for 'appellant.
    
      Mr. Hart cites: The 'amendment was improperly allowed: 18 S. C., 305; 21 S'. C., 241, 25; 24 S. C., 476; 26 S. C., 423; 27 S. C., 95; 28 S. C, 287; 47 S, C„ 499; 50 S. 0., 398.; 56 S. C., 90; 74 S. €., 243.
    
      Witherspoon & Spencers
    
    cite: Reply should noi have been allowed: Code of P’roc., 174; 22 S. C, 128; 38 Si. C., 210; 54 S. C„ 80; 56 & C., 313; 76 S. CL, 493. Error to permit oral matter to be pleaded as amendment to amended complaint: 66 S'. C., 16; 61 S. C, 336-; 76 S. C., 493; 70 S. C., 8.
    
      Messrs. Finley & Jennings and Wm. B. McCaw, contra.
    March 4, 1908.
   The opinion of the Court was delivered iby

Mr. Justice Gary.

The appeal herein is from two orders. We will first consider the exceptions assigning’ error on the part of his Honor, Judge Dantzler, in refusing to strike out the entire reply, and likewise in refusing to strike out certain portions thereof, on mloti-on of the defendant’s attorneys.

Section 174 of the Code provides, that “in all cases, where an answer contains new matter, constituting a defense by way of avoidance, the Court may, in its discretion, on the defendant’s motion, require a reply to such newi matter.”

It will thus be seen- that the provisions- of the Code requiring a reply to a defence by way of avoidance was intended for the benefit of the defendant, by giving him notice of the facts upon which the plaintiff relied. Such facts can only be used for the -purpose of defeating the defense interposed by way of avoidance, and not as the foundation for affirmative relief. i

The appellant has failed to show this Court that he was prejudiced by said reply.

Furthermore, Section 176 of 'the Code provides that “if a reply of the plaintiff' to- any defense set up by the answer of the defendant be insufficient, the defendant may demtur thereto', and shall state the grounds thereof,” ¡but the appel-, lant failed to pursue this remedy.

The exceptions raising this question are overruled.

The next question for consideration is whether there was error on tibe part of his Honor, Judge Gage, in permitting certain amendments to. the complaint.

Section 191 of the Code is as follow®: “The Court may, before or after judgment, in furtherance of justice, and on sudh term® .as. may be proper, amend any pleading, process or proceeding, 'by adding or striking out the name of a party, or by correcting a mistake in the name of ia party, or a mistake in -any other respect; or by inserting other allegation© material to the case; or -when the amendment does not change substantially the claim or defense, 'by conforming the pleading or proceeding to the facts proved.”

When the amendment is made at or after the trial it must not change substantially the claim or defense.

But when, it is made before that time, greater liberality is allowed, and the only limitation is that it must be in furtherance of justice, by adding or striking out the name of a party, or by correcting a mistake in Hie namle of a party or a mistake in .any other respect, or by inserting other allegations mlateriail' to the case. Jennings v. Parr, 54 S. C., 109, 32 S. E., 73.

The appellant had failed to satisfy the Court that the amendments were not in furtherance of justice, and tihe exceptions raising the question .are, also, overruled.

It is the judgment of this Court, that the judgment of the Circuit Court be affirmed.