Case Name: Thomas M. Shields, Respondent, v. Louis B. Clement, Appellant
Court: New York Superior Court
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1895-05
Citations: 12 Misc. 506
Docket Number: 
Parties: Thomas M. Shields, Respondent, v. Louis B. Clement, Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: New York Miscellaneous Reports
Volume: 12
Pages: 506–507

Head Matter:
Thomas M. Shields, Respondent, v. Louis B. Clement, Appellant.
(Superior Court of Buffalo
General Term,
May, 1895.)
A complaint in an action for fraudulent representations which fails to allege an intent to defraud is fatally defective and will not support a judgment by default.
This is an appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the Municipal Court of Buffalo.
William O. Fitch, for respondent.
F. G. Robbins, for appellant.

Opinion:
White, J.
The only ground upon which a reversal of the judgment appealed from is asked is, that the complaint does not allege that in the transaction between the parties the defendant intended to cheat and defraud the plaintiff. It is well settled that in order to justify a recovery for damage alleged to have been sustained as a consequence of false and fraudulent representations, the intent to defraud must be alleged as well as proved. Star Steamship Co. v. Mitchell, 1 Abb. Pr. (N. S.) 396 ; Cullen v. Hernz, 13 N. Y. St. Repr. 333; Marsh v. Falker, 40 N. Y. 565.
When, as in this case, no complaint is served with the summons, the relief granted the plaintiff by default should be limited by his allegations as well as by his proofs. Code, § 1207; Stevens v. Mayor, 84 N. Y. 296: Weatherby v. Wood, 29 How. 404; Beach v. Cooke, 28 N. Y. 508; Graham v. Read, 57 id. 681; Evans v. Burton, 42 Hun, 652.
The intent to defraud being an essential element in the plaintiff's case, it was necessary to allege as well as to prove it. No intent to defraud having been alleged in the complaint, the court below was not authorized to find any. Therefore, as the judgment establishes an intent to defraud, it is not warranted by the complaint and should be set aside and a new trial granted.
Titus, Ch. J., and Hatch, J., concur.
Judgment reversed and new trial granted