Case ID: vt_57/html/0635-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Taft, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

FRANCIS J. HOUGHTON v. E. A. SOWLES & WIFE.
    
      Costs, in what Court to he Allowed, in proceedings for Partition of Beal Estate. R. L. Chap. 70. Practice.
    
    Costs, — expenses of commissioners, &c. — in partition cases can only be allowed in the County Court; and if no order is made in that court as to costs, none will be in the Supreme Court; thus, a motion in the Supreme Court to have a cause heard at a former term brought forward and costs allowed, was dismissed.
    
      Costs in partition cases.
    
      M. Buck, for the petitioner.
    --for the petitionees.
   The opinion of the court was delivered by

Taft, J.

Houghton brought his petition against Sowles and wife for a partition of lands held in common. The case proceeded to final judgment in the County Court, partition was made, and the cause passed to this court at the January Term, 1883, when judgment of the County Court was affirmed. This proceeding is a motion to bring forward the case upon the docket of this court, and asking for an order upon the petitionees to pay their share of the costs, including the services and expenses of the commissioners, and in default of payment, that this court order a sale of the land to pay the costs, or so much as will be sufficient for that purpose. No order was made in the County Court allowing costs. We think that in partition cases under chapter 70, R. L., the order allowing costs including the services and expenses of the commissioners, should be made in the County Court; if the petitioner neglects to have such an order made in that court, it is too late for him to apply to this court for it. Had the County Court made an order in respect to costs, and allowed them, this court could make an order to cari'y it into effect by ordering a sale of the land, as was decided in Strong v. Hobbs et al. 20 Vt. 192. That case as reported does not show that the order was made in the County Court but such was the fact, as shown by the docket entries, and as may be inferred from the form of the order made by the court; and we are not inclined to extend the power of this court any farther.

Petition dismissed with costs.