Case ID: njl_16/html/0235-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Ryerson, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

VAN ATTA v. McKINNEY’S EXECUTORS.
    On Certiorari to the Hunterdon Common Pleas, in matter of appeal.
    It is lawful for a man to conduct and transact all his business by an agent or servant. His lawsuits in a Justice’s Court, form no exception. Every servant is entitled to a reasonable remuneration for his services in another’s business; and his claim therefor, may be enforced in a Court of Justice. The case of advocates, or counsel, and perhaps physicians, are the only exceptions. But such remuneration does not extend to the service of speaking to, or advocating a cause in Court
    STATE OF THE CASE.
    The plaintiff below — Who is also the plaintiff in this Court, sued the defendants,'for services rendered to their testator. It was objected in the Common Pleas, that the account, or statement of demand of the plaintiff contained no cause of action. The Common Pleas, being of that opinion, nonsuited the plaintiff. This Certiorari is brought to set aside the nonsuit.
    
      H. W. Creen, for plaintiff.
    
      S. M. Hamilton, for defendant.
   The opinion of the Court, was delivered by

Ryerson, J.

The conflicts of interest, and the ingenuity of counsel, are constantly running new distinctions, and presenting new questions for the consideration of this Court. It has- already been determined, that advocate’s fees, m nomine, are not recoverable at law, in this state. Shaver v. Norris, Penn. Rep. 663; Seeley v. Crane, 3 Green R. 35. In this cause, we are called on to decide, whether services rendered in the character of an attorney, in the Court for the trial of small causes, are recoverable. Without touching that question, we may, and must reverse this judgment; for, at least owe item in the plaintiff’s demand, is actionable. But as the question, above referred to, is fairly before us, and being stated, must sooner or later, (perhaps in this very cause,) be decided, it may as well be disposed of at once. It seems necessary, in order to direct the Court below, on the very question, which led to this Certiorari.

I am reluctant to open the door to new subjects of litigation; and in feeling, opposed to the plaintiff’s claim. I fear that sustaining an action therefor, will much increase the demands of a similar character; and perhaps give a new stimulus to litigation in the Justice’s Court. But this matter is to be settled on principle. In principle then, it is lawful, for a man to conduct and transact all his business by agent or servant. His law-suits, even in a Justice’s Court, form no exception. Every servant or agent, is entitled to a reasonable remuneration for the time, care and labour bestowed upon the business of another; and so entitled that his claim may be enforced in a Court of Justice. I know of no exception, but the case of the advocate, or counsel, resting on its own peculiar reasons. It is not intended to say whether the case of a physician does or does not form an exception. But the remuneration allowable in'this, case, is not for learning, talent or ingenuity. Our law does not suppose these necessary, to conduct the business of a Justice’s Court. And remuneration may be recovered, only for services, strictly analogous to the duties of an attorney at law, in the higher Courts. Such are drawing accounts, or statements of demand; atténding the Court on the return of process, adjourn day, or trial day, in lieu of the party himself; collecting evidence, or whatever else may be necessary to prepare the cause for trial, and- present it duly to the Court. But this does not include speaking to a' cause in Court, or advocating, (liowever learnedly, or eloquently,) the one side or the other. The distinction between the duties of an advocate and attorney, (though frequently, in our state, discharged by the same person, and therefore often confounded by the community,) is well known, in law.

Let the judgment of the Court below, be reversed, and the cause sent back, for trial, according to law.

Hornblower, C. J. and Ford, J. concurred in the reversal. Judgment reversed, and cause sent bach for re-trial.