Opinion ID: 1682972
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: did the lower court err in refusing to transfer the case to chancery court?

Text: Hudson asserted in his motion to transfer that he did not have a defense at law to the ejectment proceeding but his sole defense was the equitable defense of fraudulent means. He requested the transfer to chancery court in order that his equitable defense to the proceedings could be had. A chancery court has subject matter jurisdiction over cases involving fraud. See Foote Patrick Co. v. Caladonia Insurance Co., 113 Miss. 419, 74 So. 292 (1917). This includes cases where title to property has been obtained through fraud. See Carter v. Eastman-Gardner Co., 95 Miss. 651, 48 So. 615 (1910). In addition, chancery courts are vested with subject matter jurisdiction to try title, cancel deeds and other clouds upon title to real estate, and to decree possession and displaced possession. Miss. Constitution Art. VI, § 160 (1890). Circuit courts are competent to hear ejectment actions. See Hytken v. Bianca, 186 Miss. 323, 186 So. 624 (1938), suggestion of error overruled, 188 So. 311 (1939). The Bank of Edwards correctly points out that we have twice previously refused to reverse an ejectment judgment rendered in circuit court on the sole ground that the motion to transfer the case to chancery court should have been sustained. Illinois Central Railroad Co. v. LeBlanc, 74 Miss. 650, 21 So. 760 (1897); Chandler v. Bank of Brooksville, 181 Miss. 529, 537, 178 So. 797, 798 (1938). Reversal of this case is not required under the cases construing § 147 and § 11-3-9 solely on the ground that a party has been denied right to trial by jury. Talbot and Higgins Lumber Co. v. McCloud Lumber Co., 147 Miss. 186, 113 So. 433 (1927). However, where, as here, there are other errors independent of jurisdiction as to whether the case is for equity or common law and a party has been denied a legal or equitable right, the judgment will be reversed and the case sent to the court which is best fitted to administer justice. Thompson v. First Mississippi National Bank, 427 So.2d 973 (Miss. 1983); Alabama Great Southern Railroad Co. v. McVay, 381 So.2d 607, 612 (Miss. 1980). As this case must be reversed for the improvident granting of a summary judgment, we are of the opinion that the Chancery Court of Hinds County, Mississippi, would be the proper forum to try the ejectment and at the same time allow the appellant to enjoy the benefit of raising equitable defenses and receiving such relief as equity may grant. As we have already found reversible error in the granting of the summary judgment, it is unnecessary to address the remaining assignments of error. For the reasons set out above, this case is reversed and remanded to the Chancery Court of Hinds County, Mississippi. REVERSED AND REMANDED TO THE CHANCERY COURT OF HINDS COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. PATTERSON, C.J., WALKER and ROY NOBLE LEE, P.JJ., and HAWKINS, DAN M. LEE, PRATHER, and ROBERTSON, JJ., concur. ANDERSON, J., not participating.