Court Opinion

ID: 9708919
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 03:35:28.158116+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:22:44.640666
License: Public Domain

JUSTICE HEIPLE, dissenting: This case is simple and straightforward. Plaintiff obtained a default judgment. Defendant moved to vacate. Defendant’s motion was answered and denied by plaintiff. A hearing was held on the motion to vacate and it was denied. Defendant appeals. The majority opinion here, with no basis in the record, holds that the default judgment should be vacated and the cause remanded for a hearing on the merits. Why? Because, it is said that “substantial justice” requires it. What, it may be asked, is the meaning of this phrase, “substantial justice”? The majority opinion does not define it. Neither is it defined in the opinions cited therein. In truth, it means nothing or it means anything. It means whatever the user wishes it to mean according to the situation. It is, at once, a euphemism, a sophism and a soporific. That is to say, it is a high sounding phrase which, though saying nothing, appears to support a particular position and, at the same time serves to dull the awareness of the reader. If the courts were to fully embrace this phrase in all its implications, it could be used to encompass and supplant the entire body of jurisprudence. Much tedious reading and research among reported decisions could be avoided. All cases could be affirmed or reversed according to the requirements of “substantial justice.” As regards the setting aside of a default judgment, I am well aware that Widicus v. Southwestern Electric Cooperative, Inc. (1960), 26 Ill. App. 2d 102, was the first appellate case in Illinois to embrace the use of the phrase “substantial justice” in derogation of the former tests of meritorious defense and due diligence. I am also aware that this case was cited with approval by our supreme court in People ex rel. Reid v. Adkins (1971), 48 Ill. 2d 402. The fact remains, however, that the bare phrase “substantial justice” offers no guidance to lawyers, litigants or courts. The instant case is a good illustration of its pernicious use. Thec trial court, upon a full hearing of the motion to vacate and the answer thereto, found that the defendant did not set forth a meritorious defense. The court further found that defendant’s recital concerning sending the court papers to his insurance carrier was not meritorious. Plaintiff’s answer set forth that defendant knew that the insurance company named in his motion did not insure the subject claim and that this was known by defendant even before defendant was served with summons. Accordingly, the trial court denied defendant’s motion to vacate the default judgment. Yet, the majority of this court, on review, chooses to reverse the trial court for reasons of “substantial justice.” It may be fairly asked, if a defendant fails to demonstrate a meritorious defense and if, as in this case, the trial court finds his motion to vacate to be pure baloney, how, by any stretch of the imagination, is substantial justice being done to anyone by opening up this default judgment? The answer is, it is not. If we are to govern by the rule of law and not by the rule of men, it is essential that we not employ glib and meaningless phrases to decide cases. If the phrase “substantial justice” is to be used, its hollow body must be given flesh and bones. A definition that would include meritorious defense and due diligence would go a long way in that direction. For the reasons stated, I dissent.