Court Opinion

ID: 9685778
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 15:02:45.407862+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:18:10.415490
License: Public Domain

BROWN, Justice
(dissenting).
Before § 10390 of the Code of 1923 was embodied in Equity Rule 36, Code 1940, Tit. 7 Appendix, it had been consistently construed as not changing the fundamental principles of equity upon which bills of interpleader or bill in the nature of inter-pleader rests. That such principles have not been modified by the statute see Marcus et al. v. Peoples Sav. Bank et al., 227 Ala. 576, 151 So. 467; Finn v. Missouri State Life Ins. Co., 222 Ala. 413, 132 So. 632; Riddick v. American Employers Ins. Co., 236 Ala. 323, 182 So. 45; Michie et al. v. Nebrig et al., 223 Ala. 175, 134 So. 665; Harden v. Barbaree, 240 Ala. 458 (3 Head Note 460), 199 So. 689; Missouri State Life Ins. Co. v. Robertson Banking Co., 223 Ala. 177, 134 So. 800, 802.
In the last cited case it was observed “one of the prime requisites of a- bill of interpleader is the disinterestedness of the complainant in the subject-matter of the suit. He must stand in relation thereto as a mere stakeholder, indifferent between the conflicting of claimants. (Citing cases) *84Nor are the fundamental principles of equity upon which are rested bills of this character in any manner modified by section 10390 of our Code.” To like effect see Harden v. Barbaree, 238 Ala. 519, 192 So. 268.
The new equity rules were adopted October 9, 1939, effective January 1, 1940, See 238 Ala. page XVII. The only change in the rule originating in the statute and brought forward in said rule pertaining to the disinterestedness of the complainant, if any, was the provision,- — -“It -is not ground •of objection to the action * * * that the plaintiff avers that he is not liable in ■whole or in part to any or all of the claimants."
Since the adoption and effective date of •said rule, on the second appeal in Harden v. Barbaree, 240 Ala. 458, 199 So. 689, the istatement of the law as to the necessity of :the disinterestedness of the complainant as .a stakeholder was reaffirmed. It was there observed “The provisions for suggestions ■of claim of a third party in an action pending on any contract for the payment of ■money at any time before issue joined ■(Code § 10386 [Code 1940, Tit. 7, § 1179]) has no application to the instant action, which -is in the nature of interpleader touching the two parties in interest in the fund .■and the disinterested stakeholder.” 240 Ala. 460(3), 199 So. 691, citing the text of 33 C. J. p. 457; 48 C.J.S., Interpleader, § 34.
Certain it is that this court when it formulated and adopted Equity Rule 36, by the mere inclusion of the quoted provision in respect to the “plaintiff” did not intend to ignore, uproot or emasculate the long settled rule that .the plaintiff or complainant must as between the contending claimants be without interest. It merely permitted the complainant to allege that “he is not liable in whole or in part to any or all of the claimants.” So this averment is not inconsistent with the disinterestedness of the complainant as a stakeholder. Though such averment was made in the bill and could not under the facts alleged be truthfully made.
In Johnson v. Malone, 252 Ala. 609, 42 So.2d 505, the statement of facts shows that Malone was a disinterested stakeholder of the earnest money deposited with him by the purchaser to hold pending the closing of a sale of lands, and the court was not called upon to construe Equity Rule 36, as superseding the settled law in relation to such proceedings.
Therefore laying aside the applicability of § 128(3), Tit. 5, Code 1940, the complainant was not so situated as to maintain the bill, under the doctrine of equitable interpleader. Modern Order of Praetorians v. Merriman, 204 Ala. 197, 85 So. 473, and authorities cited, supra.
The complainant was liable to repay the loan on demand of either of the lendors accompanied by the presentation of the pass book showing the true state of the account, and in the face of its liability undertook to aid Perdue the guardian by using the subtle threat of litigation to induce Ellen Perdue to yield her rights to her adversary.
In my opinion the bill is without equity and the rehearing should be denied.