Case Name: VAIL against WRIGHT
Court: New Jersey Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: New Jersey
Decision Date: 1810-09
Citations: 3 N.J.L. 681
Docket Number: 
Parties: VAIL against WRIGHT.
Judges: 
Reporter: New Jersey Law Reports
Volume: 3
Pages: 256–257

Head Matter:
VAIL against WRIGHT.
ON CERTIORARI.
A cause may not be tried in plaintiff’s absence.
The action below was brought on a note. The parties had met before the justice, and the defendant had filed a set-off, on which the cause was adjourned. At the time of adjournment the plaintiff did not appear; the justice, in the absence of the plaintiff, proceeded to trial and allowed the set-off of the defendant- without examining witnesses.

Opinion:
By the Court.
The plaintiff not appearing, the justice could not try the cause in his absence, he ought to have non-suited the plaintiff ; but even if he was right in proceeding to trial, the set-off of the defendant should have been proved.
Judgment reversed.