Case Name: Archibald Birtwell vs. Frederick H. Hosmer
Court: Supreme Court of Rhode Island
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Decision Date: 1897-12-07
Citations: 20 R.I. 309
Docket Number: 
Parties: Archibald Birtwell vs. Frederick H. Hosmer.
Judges: Present : Matteson, C. J., Stiness and Tillinghast, JJ.
Reporter: Rhode Island Reports
Volume: 20
Pages: 309–310

Head Matter:
Archibald Birtwell vs. Frederick H. Hosmer.
PROVIDENCE
DECEMBER 7, 1897.
Present : Matteson, C. J., Stiness and Tillinghast, JJ.
The filing of an account with notice of intention to claim a lien is not a commencement of legal process to enforce the lien.
The commencement of legal process ought not to be left to implication.
Petition in Equity to enforce a mechanic’s lien.
Frank 8. Arnold, for petitioner.
Nathan W. Littlefield, for respondent.

Opinion:
Per Curiam.
The petitioner has failed to show a compliance with the statute, since the mere filing of an account, with notice of an intention to claim a lien, is not a commencement of legal process to enforce the lien within the meaning-of the statute, as construed in Tingley v. White, 17 R. I. 533, and Goff v. Hosmer, 20 R. I. Part 1, 93, which requires a statement that the lodging of the account or demand is for the purpose of commencing legal process to enforce the lien. As suggested by counsel for the respondent, the commencement of legal process ought not to be left to implication.
The petition must therefore be dismissed.
Gen. Laws R. I. cap. 206, § 7.'