Case Name: Chaplin versus Kirwan
Court: Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas
Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania
Decision Date: 1786-09
Citations: 1 Dall. 187
Docket Number: 
Parties: Chaplin versus Kirwan.
Judges: 
Reporter: Dallas
Volume: 1
Pages: 187–187

Head Matter:
Chaplin versus Kirwan.
THE Referrees in this case, had allowed ex parte evidence to be given, of the current price of Coach-maker’s work, at the time when the cause of action accrued. For this reason, the Defendant moved to set aside their report.

Opinion:
And
by the Court:
If Referrees make enquiry abroad, to ascertain for their own satisfaction, the price of work, or the truth of any other matter, which may be said, comparitively, to be of a public nature, this, so far from being irregular, would be highly commendable. But it is a very different case, when they proceed separately to examine a witness, who has been produced by one of the parties, although the evidence relates only to those general points. The adverse parties should have an opportunity of cross examining the witness.
The Report set aside.