Case Name: Low & a. v. Independent Christian Society
Court: New Hampshire Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: New Hampshire
Decision Date: 1893-06
Citations: 67 N.H. 488
Docket Number: 
Parties: Low & a. v. Independent Christian Society.
Judges: Carpenter, J., did not sit: the others concurred.
Reporter: New Hampshire Reports
Volume: 67
Pages: 488–488

Head Matter:
Low & a. v. Independent Christian Society.
In an action of assumpsit which involves matters of account too numerous and complicated to be intelligently investigated and adjusted by a jury, the parties have no constitutional right to a jury trial.
The propriety of a reference on this ground is a question of fact for the trial term.
Assumpsit, on a contract for the building of a church. The plaintiffs’ specification contained seven items, of which one was fpr a balance of $1,761.15 due on the contract. The plea was the general issue, with a brief statement alleging part payment, and specifying twenty-five items of recoupment, amounting to $1,174. The court referred the action, and the plaintiffs excepted.
Smith if Sloane, for the plaintiffs.
Bingham, Mitchell <f Batchellor, for the defendants.

Opinion:
Chase, J.
The specifications show that several matters of account are included in the action. If they are so numerous and complicated that they cannot be intelligently investigated and adjusted in a jury trial, the parties are not entitled to such a trial, and the case may be referred without their consent. Sargent v. Putnam, 58 N. H. 182; Davis v. Dyer, 62 N. H. 231. Whether they are so is a question of fact that was decided in the affirmative at the trial term. The order of reference necessarily involved a decision of this question. It is not subject to review here. Dole v. Pike, 64 N. H. 22.
Case discharged.
Carpenter, J., did not sit: the others concurred.