Case ID: mass_141/html/0218-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "C. Allen, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Edwin P. Henderson vs. Michael Benson.
    Middlesex.
    November 13, 1885.
    February 26, 1886.
    A bond, without a surety, filed by an appellant from the judgment of a district court, is not a sufficient compliance with the requirements of the Pub. Sts. c. 154, § 52, and the St. of 1882, c. 95, although the bond is approved in writing by the attorney of the appellee; and the Superior Court acquires no jurisdiction of the appeal.
    Motion to dismiss an appeal from the Third District Court of Eastern Middlesex, on the ground that the bond filed by the appellant, who was the defendant in the action, which was replevin, was defective and insufficient. The defect relied on was that the bond was executed by the defendant alone, without a surety. It was, however, in this form approved in writing by the then attorney for the plaintiff.
    The Superior Court dismissed the appeal; and the defendant appealed to this court.
    
      W. P. Harding $ A. V. Lynde, for the defendant.
    
      A. Cottrell, for the plaintiff.
   C. Allen, J.

When a party wishes to appeal from the judgment of a district court, compliance with the statutory requirement of a bond with surety — St. 1882, e. 95, and Pub. Sts. c. 154, §§ 39, 52, e. 155, § 29—has been held to be a condition essential to the allowance of the appeal, and the consequent jurisdiction of the Superior Court. A bond without a surety is not such a compliance, and adds nothing to the liability which the appellant is under when the judgment appealed from is affirmed on complaint. Pub. Sts. c. 155, § 34. If the consent of the adverse party could dispense with the surety, it might also dispense with the bond itself. Whatever question there may be in respect to the waiver of formal defects or errors in the bond, the statutory requirement of a bond with surety must be observed, or the appeal fails; and the objection of a want of jurisdiction may be taken at any time before judgment. Santon v. Ballard, 133 Mass. 464. Keene v. White, 136 Mass. 23. Wheeler & Wilson Manuf. Co. v. Burlingham, 137 Mass. 581. Putnam v. Boyer, 140 Mass. 235.

Judgment affirmed.