Case Name: GEORGE M. COOK, Petitioner, v. C. G. NOBLE, City Recorder of the City of Taft, County of Kern, State of California, Respondent
Court: Supreme Court of California
Jurisdiction: California
Decision Date: 1919-12-18
Citations: 181 Cal. 720
Docket Number: L. A. No. 6383
Parties: GEORGE M. COOK, Petitioner, v. C. G. NOBLE, City Recorder of the City of Taft, County of Kern, State of California, Respondent.
Judges: 
Reporter: California Reports
Volume: 181
Pages: 720–721

Head Matter:
[L. A. No. 6383.
In Bank.
December 18, 1919.]
GEORGE M. COOK, Petitioner, v. C. G. NOBLE, City Recorder of the City of Taft, County of Kern, State of California, Respondent.
Justice of Peace—Disqualification to Practice Law Before Recorder’s Court in County of Residence.—In view of the nature and jurisdiction of a recorder’s court, it being practically a justice’s court, it comes within the spirit and policy of the provision of section 171 of the Code of Civil Procedure, which declares that no justice of the peace shall practice law before any justice’s court in the county in which he resides.
Mandamus—Acts not Enforceable—Mandamus will not lie to compel the performance of act's which are illegal, contrary to public policy, or which tend to aid in an unlawful purpose.
APPLICATION for a Writ of Mandamus to compel the City Recorder of the City of Taft, County of Kern, to allow a justice of peace ■ of Kern County to practice law in his court.
Denied.
The facts are stated in the opinion of the court.
George M. Cook, in pro. per., for Petitioner.

Opinion:
THE COURT.
Petitioner, a justice of the peace in Kern
County, seeks a writ of mandamus to compel respondent, city recorder of the city of Taft, in Kern County, to allow him to practice law before him. Section 171 of the Code of Civil Procedure, provides "nor shall any justice of the peace practice law before any justice's court in the county In which he resides." In view of the nature and jurisdiction of a recorder's court in a city or town, it being practically a justice's court, we are satisfied it comes within the spirit and policy of the provision of section 171 of the Code of Civil Procedure, that, we have quoted, and that petitioner has no lawful right to practice in respondent's court. Regardless of any other question presented, it is well settled that mandamus will not lie to compel the performance of acts which are illegal, contrary to public policy, or which tend to aid an unlawful purpose. (See Godwin v. Carolina Tel. & Tel. Co., 136 N. C. 258, [103 Am. St. Rep. 941, 1 Ann. Cas. 203, and note, 67 L. R. A. 251, 48 S. E. 636].)
The application for a writ of mandamm is denied.
Angellotti, C. J., Wilbur, J., Lawlor, J., Olney, J., and Shaw, J., concurred.