Case Name: J. B. Robinson & Wife v. W. B. Caldwell & Wife
Court: Kentucky Court of Appeals
Jurisdiction: Kentucky
Decision Date: 1872-12-30
Citations: 6 Ky. Op. 184
Docket Number: 
Parties: J. B. Robinson & Wife v. W. B. Caldwell & Wife.
Judges: 
Reporter: Kentucky Opinions, containing the unreported opinions of the Court of Appeals
Volume: 6
Pages: 184–186

Head Matter:
J. B. Robinson & Wife v. W. B. Caldwell & Wife.
Process — Amended Petition.
Where an amended petition is filed, claiming two installments oí rent, process must be issued on the amended petition, or judgment can not properly be rendered thereon.
Municipal Corporations — Judgment for Unpaid Taxes — Proceeding.
A city is not entitled to judgment for unpaid taxes upon a mere . statement of the amount claimed to he due, but it must come into court by petition the same as other suitors.
Pleading — Amendment—New Cause of Action.
A court will not permit parties', under the guise of amendment, to set up new causes of action and take judgment thereon by default without process, without giving defendants an opportunity .to be heard.
APPEAL. FROM DOUISVILDE CHANCERY CO'URT.
December 30, 1872.
January 7, 1873.
Elliott, for appellants.
Arbegust, for appellees.

Opinion:
Opinion by
Judge Lindsay :
There should have been process on the amended petition filed October 16, 1.871. The two installments of rent therein alleged to be due and unpaid constituted new and distinct causes of action, and judgment could not properly be rendered for them- until an opportunity was offered appellants to malee defense.
The city of Louisville was not entitled to- judgment for unpaid taxes upon a mere statement of the amount claimed to be due. No matter what her rights may be in regard to the collection of taxes by distraint and sale, when she chooses to come into a court of chancery to invoke its aid she must come like other suitors with her petition, and the parties against whom she asks relief must be brought into court by the service of summons. For these reasons the judgment in favor of Caldwell and wife is reversed. The cause is remanded for further proper proceedings.