Court Opinion

ID: 7131209
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-24 15:19:01.815113+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:14:28.620452
License: Public Domain

CHIEF JUSTICE LEWIS
delivered the opinion of the court.
This is an appeal from a judgment sustaining a general demurrer to the petition in an action upon an indemnifying-bond by the claimant of property sold under execution.
The objection to the petition is, that it does not show the-indemnifying bond was returned by the officer who took it; that in consequence of his failure to return the bond, the officer is himself liable to the claimant of the property sold,, and being so, the obligor is not.
The object of sections 641 and 643 of the Civil Code is to simplify proceedings under executions, and prevent, multiplicity and circuity of actions — not to increase the-*469responsibility of officers or lessen the liability of plaintiffs in execution.
Before the adoption of the Civil Code the officer might, in certain cases, require of the plaintiff in execution an indemnifying bond, but was still liable to be sued by the defendant in execution or claimant of property sold: having, in case of recovery against himself, to look to the plaintiff in execution for indemnity upon -his bond.
Now the claimant or purchaser of any property for the ■seizure or sale of which an indemnifying bond has been taken and returned by the officer, shall be barred of any action against the officer levying on the property, if the ■surety in the bond was good when it was taken, and such •claimant or purchaser may maintain an action upon the •bond, and recover such damages as he may be entitled to. But it was not intended that the claimant or purchaser should not have the right of action upon the bond án case the officer made himself liable by failing to return the bond or take good surety. They may still maintain •an action against the officer upon his official bond when he has become liable, or against the obligor in the indemnifying bond. There is no reason why the claimant or purchaser may not immediately have an action against the •obligor in the indemnifying bond who directed and caused the levy and sale of the property, nor is it inhibited by the Civil Code.
Wherefore, the judgment of the court below sustaining the demurrer to the petition is reversed, and the cause is remanded, with directions to overrule the demurrer, and for other proceedings consistent with this opinion.