Case ID: barb_1/html/0024-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Edmonds, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Same Term.
    
      Before the same Justice.
    
    Brown vs. Miller.
    A reference to ascertain the amount of damages sustained by the plaintiff will not be granted, after a default for want of a plea, upon a mere general affidavit that the inquiry involves the examination of a long account: but the production of a sworn copy of the account on which the suit is brought will be required.
    The defendant’s default for want of a plea having been entered, the plaintiff’s attorney, upon a general affidavit that the inquiry involved the examination of a long account, moved, ex parte, for a reference to ascertain the amount of damages.
   Edmonds, J.

Cases of this kind have occurred where, the damages could very conveniently have been ascertained by a sheriff’s jury, but where the plaintiff’s attorney, upon an affidavit like this, has obtained a rule of reference, and very largely and unnecessarily augmented the costs. To guard against such an abusé of the statute, I shall in future exact from the plaintiff’s attorney a sworn copy of the account on which the suit is brought; so that the court may judge for itself as to the necessity of a reference.