Case Name: Ellis v. Loumier et al.
Court: Supreme Court of Missouri
Jurisdiction: Missouri
Decision Date: 1822-11
Citations: 1 Mo. 260
Docket Number: 
Parties: Ellis v. Loumier et al.
Judges: 
Reporter: Missouri Reports
Volume: 1
Pages: 185–186

Head Matter:
Ellis v. Loumier et al.
When there is an issue of law, and an issue of fact, the issue of law should be first disposed of; and, to render a judgment, generally, in such a case, without finding the issue of fact, is error.
IN ERROR from Cape Girardeau Circuit Court.

Opinion:
Cook, J.,
delivered the opinion pf the Court,
This was an action of debt, on a promissory note. The defendant plead nil debels an which issue was taken $ also, a special plea, which was demurred to. In this state of pleading, the cause was submitted to the Court, who, in general terms, without distinguishing between the issues, rendered judgment for the plaintiff. In general, where there is an issue in law, and an issue in fact, the question of law should be disposed of before the issue of fact is tried; and, upon issues of fact, there should be a finding before the conclusion of law can be pronounced. In this case, it neither appears by the record, that the demurrer was adjudicated upon, 'nor that the fact in issue was found for the plaintiff. The judgment of the Circuit Court is erroneous, because, the record does not show upon what it -was predicated.
Said judgment must, therefore, be reversed, and the cause remanded to-said Circuit Court, and the several issues there tried; and the plaintiff in error must recover of the defendants his costs, about this writ of error expended.