Case Name: HIGGINS v. HIGGINS
Court: Michigan Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Michigan
Decision Date: 1958-03-04
Citations: 351 Mich. 214
Docket Number: Docket No. 22, Calendar No. 47,070
Parties: HIGGINS v. HIGGINS.
Judges: Dethmers, C. J., and Carr, Kelly, Smith, Black, Edwards, Yoelker, and Kavanagh, JJ., concurred.
Reporter: Michigan Reports
Volume: 351
Pages: 214–216

Head Matter:
HIGGINS v. HIGGINS.
Appeal and Error — Briefs.
A decree in suit for divorce is affirmed by ruling from the bench on reaching the ease on the call in due course on appeal, without passing on the merits thereof, where the Supreme Court had granted upwards of a year ago appellant husband’s petition for leave to file a delayed appeal, record and appellee’s brief were filed, but appellant failed to present a timely brief or respond to the call (Court Rule No 69 [1945]).
References for Points in Headnotes
3 Am Jur, Appeal and Error § 781.
Appeal from Wayne; Murphy (George B.), J.
Submitted January 8, 1958.
(Docket No. 22, Calendar No. 47,070.)
Decided March 4,1958.
Rehearing denied April 14, 1958.
Bill by Bertrand R. Higgins against Edna L. Higgins for divorce. Decree granted on defendant’s cross bill. Plaintiff appeals.
Affirmed.
George F. Curran (Robert E. Childs, of counsel on application for rehearing), for plaintiff.
Edward L. Bryant, for defendant.

Opinion:
Per Curiam.
This is a divorce case. Decree was entered on January 16,1956. Calendar entries thereafter made indicate the various steps taken in the case:
. "1956
"Feb. 3. Petition for rehearing and notice thereon filed.
"Feb. 10. Order denying the motion-petition for a rehearing with costs to the defendant signed.
"Mar. 5. Claim of appeal and notice filed ($5 fee paid).
"Aug. 15. Claim of appeal and notice of appeal filed ($5 fee paid).
"Oct. 19. Certified copy of order of the Supreme Court dismissing plaintiff's appeal October 2, 1956, filed."
The records of this Court disclose that on October 25, 1956, appellant made application for leave to file a delayed appeal, setting up facts purporting to show merit in the appeal sought and lack of culpability of counsel. Answer opposing application was filed, denying the merits of the claimed appeal and asserting culpable negligence in appellant. This Court, on December 4, 1956, granted appellant's motion. Thereafter the following steps were taken:
"Dec. 19, 1956. Claim of appeal and notice of appeal and copy of order of Supreme Court granting leave to file delayed appeal filed ($5 fee paid).
"Jan. 30, 1957. Settled case on appeal, statement of reasons and grounds for appeal signed, filed (Judge Victor J. Baum)."
The record on appeal and appellee's brief were received, respectively, in this Court on May 4, 1957 and December 6, 1957. The case was reached on the call in due course on January 8, 1958. Appellant neither responded to the call nor had appellant's brief on such date been filed with the Court. The Court accordingly ruled from the Bench that the decree below was affirmed, without passing on the merits thereof, by reason of appellant's default in compliance with Court Rule No 69 (1945). Grevnin v. Grevnin, 319 Mich. 110.
Affirmed. Costs to appellee.
Dethmers, C. J., and Carr, Kelly, Smith, Black, Edwards, Yoelker, and Kavanagh, JJ., concurred.
Brief was filed in this Court on January 18, 1958.