Case Name: M'Clennahan v. Thomas
Court: Supreme Court of North Carolina
Jurisdiction: North Carolina
Decision Date: 1813-01
Citations: 1 Car. L. Rep.  101
Docket Number: 
Parties: M'Clennahan v. Thomas.
Judges: 
Reporter: North Carolina Reports
Volume: 4
Pages: 101–102

Head Matter:
M'Clennahan v. Thomas.
THE Plaintiff stated in an affidavit that he was net worth five pounds sterling, and had no property except such a the law allows insolvent debtors to retain; and that he verily believed he had good title to the land in controversy.
The single question reserved for the opinion of the Court was, Whether a person can sue in forma pauperis; which was submitted without argument.

Opinion:
Taylor, C. J.
delivered the opinion of the Court:
The act of 1787 does not demand a construction, which would necessarily deprive a portion of the community of all means of having their claims investigated in a court of justice; and, unless necessity required it, we are net disposed to put such a construction upon it. The true meaning of the law seems to be, to require all such persons to give security previous to taking out a writ, as would have been liable for the payment of costs, in the event of failing in the suit; but it does not render any persons liable to the payment of costs, who were not so before. Now the statute 23 Henry VII. c. 15. excuses paupers from the payment of the costs; and a law founded upon principles of such obvious justice, ought to be repealed by express words or necessary implication, before the Court hastens to that conclusion. For indeed the two statutes are perfectly compatible, and being in pari materia, should both have operation, and may be construed together. On this ground, we think that persons may sue in this State in forma pauperis, upon satisfying the Court that they have a reasonable ground of action, and from their extreme poverty are unable to procure security.