Court Opinion

ID: 9732809
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 16:36:32.9303+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:26:34.052561
License: Public Domain

Proctor, J.
(concurring). The purpose of the immunity doctrine is to avoid interference with the progress of a cause by the service of process in other suits which would prevent or tend to discourage the attendance of those whose presence is necessary in the pending cause. Lamb v. Schmitt, 285 U. S. 222, 52 S. Ct. 317, 76 L. Ed. 720 (1931). Assuming, as I must, that plaintiff in good faith initiated her suit against the defendant in his capacity as an executor, and assuming also that the defendant might have been discouraged from attendance if immunity from service were withheld, I believe that justice would be defeated by the grant of immunity. Here, the plaintiff seeks to serve the defendant personally on a claim arising out of the same occurrence which formed the basis of the original action. Thus, the cause pending before the court was not subjected to possible hindrance or delay by service of process in some unrelated suit. Cf. Lamb v. Schmitt, supra, 285 U. S., at p. 227, 52 S. Ct., at p. 319, 76 L. Ed., at p. 724. But, on the contrary, withholding immunity in the present case is consistent with our firm commitment to the enlightened policy that just and expeditious disposition at one time and place of all matters in controversy between the parties is to be encouraged.
*288Since I believe immunity in the present case should be withheld on the ground that the claim involved arises out of the same occurrence, it is unnecessary to reconsider at this time the full scope of the doctrine of immunity from service of process which has so long been the law of this State. Halsey v. Stewart, 4 N. J. L. 366 [Reprint 486] (Sup. Ct. 1817). See Korff v. G. & G. Corp., 21 N. J. 558, 563-564 (1956), and cases there cited. It appears to me that the opinion of the majority goes much further than is necessary or desirable for the disposition of this case.