Case ID: njl_2/html/0081-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Kirkpatrick, C. J. Pennington, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

[*] HANNAH M’CALLA against AULA M’CAULEY WOOD.
    OS CERTIORARI.
    Suit, for trespass, by sons of defendant, illegal.
    This was an action on the case. The state of the demand, filed with the justice below, is as follows :
    
      
    
    Cost entered in figures.
   Kirkpatrick, C. J.

— There are two causes apparent on the record, for which this judgment must be reversed. The state of demand is for a trespass committed by the sons of the defendant. Upon principles of law, one person can never be made liable for the trespass of another. It is true, that if one command or authorize his servant to commit a trespass, he is answerable himself; but then it is the trespass of the master, according to the well known maxim of the law, qui faait per aliumfaeit per se, and it must be so charged in the declaration or state of demand. In the second place, the judgment is in figures, which, according to the opinion of Cole v. Petty, is error. Reverse judgment for these causes.

Rossell, J. — Concurred.

Pennington, J.

— I concur in the reversal of this judgment. Even if the action could be maintained against the defendant below, for the trespass of her sons; yet the trespass is not set out in the state of demand. To demand for trespass, and nothing more, is no legal [*] state of demand. The trespass committed, must be set out; and that with convenient certainty.

Gen. Giles, for plaintiff.

Judgment reversed.