Case Name: DENEUFBOURG vs. GAIENNIE
Court: Louisiana Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Decision Date: 1839-05
Citations: 14 La. 53
Docket Number: 
Parties: DENEUFBOURG vs. GAIENNIE.
Judges: 
Reporter: Louisiana Reports
Volume: 14
Pages: 53–55

Head Matter:
DENEUFBOURG vs. GAIENNIE.
Eastern Dist.
May, 1839.
APPEAL PROM THE COURT OF THE FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT, JUDGE BUCHANAN PRESIDING.
Where by consent of the parties, the case is submitted to an auditor, with the powers of an amicable compounder, his award cannot be opened by the court, but must be homologated as it stands, having the effect of a definitive judgment.
This is an action on a promissory note executed by the defendant.
The latter excepted to the action, and averred, that there existed between the plaintiff and defendant, an act of co-partnership, the fifteenth article of which, expressly provided, that all matters in dispute, arising between themj shall be referred to arbitrators (des arbitres amiables compositeurs) for their decision. That the note sued on was given for the purposes of the partnership, and the plaintiff has, therefore, no cause of action. This exception was overruled, and a general denial pleaded.
Where by •consent of the parties the case 5 s submitted to •an auditor, with the powers of an ■amicable com-pounder, his award cannot be opened by the court, but must be homologated as it stands, having the effect of definitive judgment.
There was another suit between the same parties growing out of their partnership affairs, and the two were consolidated.
By consent of parties, these cases were referred to two judicial arbitrators. This order was changed, and the whole matter in controversy was submitted to a single auditor, who was to report in twenty days, and the parties bound themselves to comply with the judgment of the court to be rendered on the award.
The award gave a large balance against the defendant, in the settlement of their partnership affairs, and he made opposition to the award, alleging various errors in calculations, &c. The court dismissed the opposition, under the fifteenth article of partnership between the parties, which made the functions of the auditor those of an amicable compounder, and his award cannot be examined by the court.
The defendant appealed.
Canon, for the plaintiff.
C. Janin, for the appellant.

Opinion:
Eustis, J.,
delivered the opinion of the court.
Under a rule of court, by the consent of parties, the case which involved the settlement of a partnership concern, was referred to an auditor. Bonds were given by the parties conditioned to comply with the judgment, which should be rendered by the court on the award of the auditor.
Oppositions were filed to the award, but the judge was of opinion, that under an article of the partnership, which had existed between the plaintiff and defendant, the powers of the auditor were those of an amicable compounder. The article contains a positive agreement, prohibiting them from resorting to courts for the termination of their difficulties or contestations, which may arise between the parties, during or at the expiration of the partnership, and binding themselves to abide by the decision of amicable compounders. We think the judge did not err, in considering the appointment of the auditor by the parties, with reference to their contract of partnership, and that the award could not be opened by the court' on the grounds- alleged by the defendant in his oppositions. Code of Practice, 460.
It is, therefore, ordered, adjudged and decreed, that the judgment of the District Court be affirmed, with costs.