Case Name: Ex parte Benson
Court: New York Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1827-02
Citations: 6 Cow. 592
Docket Number: 
Parties: Ex parte Benson.
Judges: 
Reporter: Cowen's Reports
Volume: 6
Pages: 592–592

Head Matter:
Ex parte Benson.
ALBANY,
Feb. 1827.
Benson, executor of Lawrence, recovered judgment be> fore a justice of the peace of Chenango county, against John Miller, who appealed to the C. P. The justice’s return stated a judgment in the cause of Benson v. Miller, without the addition of executor ; and after the cause was on trial before the jury, the attorney for the plaintiff objected the variance ; the appeal bond reciting a judgment in favor of Benson as executor. The C. P. deemed the variance material, and dismissed the appeal ; but refused to award any costs to the appellee, except of the application.
This court were now moved for a mandamus, commanding the C. P. to vacate their rule as to costs ; and allow the whole costs of the appellee, up to the time of dismissing the appeal.
Where an appeal is dismissed by the C. P. on motion, upon the ground that they were never possessed of the cause; and had no jurisdiction of it, they should award no costs beyond those of the motion; not the general costs of the cause.
Whether they have power to award the regular costs in the cause ? (frtere.
J. Foote, for the motion.
It was not opposed; but

Opinion:
Per Curiam.
We think the C. P. were right. The parties were not before them for any purpose except the motion ; and they were not bound, even if they had jurisdiction, to award the regular and ordinary costs of the cause. These follow, only where the suit comes into court. Here it never was there. There was a want of jurisdiction as to the cause itself; and when we say the C. P. has jurisdiction of the parties for the purpose of awarding costs, we mean the costs of the motion; the maU ter alone upon which the court can act.
Motion denied.