Case Name: Andrew Craige versus John Mellen & Al.
Court: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Decision Date: 1808-11
Citations: 3 Tyng 587
Docket Number: 
Parties: * Andrew Craige versus John Mellen & Al
Judges: 
Reporter: Massachusetts Reports
Volume: 4
Pages: 515–515

Head Matter:
* Andrew Craige versus John Mellen & Al
Practice. — The Court will not always grant a continuance for special pleading.
Trespass quare clausum fregit. The defendant’s counsel moved for a continuance of the action, for the purpose of pleading specially; apprehending that it was a standing rule of the Court to grant a continuance of course for that purpose.

Opinion:
Curia.
There has been such a rule; but it is not the rule now. The Court will not grant a continuance, for the purpose of special pleading, without inquiring what the intended pleas are, so as to ascertain whether time is requisite. Many special pleas require no more time than the general issue.