Court Opinion

ID: 7091221
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-24 12:06:15.452869+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:13:05.993115
License: Public Domain

Wright, C. J.
Three of the errors assigned in this case may be considered together, as they involve substantially the same question. These are, first, that the court erred in receiving evidence of a submission to. arbitrators, and the award, when the said award had not been declared .on by plaintiff; second — in finding for plaintiff, when his pleadings do not set forth any cause of action; third — in render*294ing judgment on a verbal contract, when tbe said contract related to a promissory note, which was not produced. None of these objections appear to have been urged in the court below, and whatever their force, if made at the proper time, we are clear, that they come too late, when presented for the first time in this court. That it was competent for the plaintiff to declare upon the alleged parol award, or upon the note which was the foundation of said submission, there can be no doubt. In pleading before a justice of the peace, it is not expected or required, that either party shall be held to critical nicety in stating his cause of action or defence. If a -plaintiff shall fail to state his cause of action im-a sufficiently clear and distinct form, objection should then be taken, or at all events, when testimony is sought to be introduced to sustain-the same. But where no objection of the kind is made in that court — where the cause has been heard upon appeal, and this objection not urged — we would not disturb the judgment for a defect in the statement of the claim, if from the whole record, sufficient is shown to enable the defendant to plead the recovery in bar of any subsequent- action; and this rule disposes of the three errors assigned. The parties had, as far as can be seen, a full and fair- trial — the plaintiff’s cause of action is now, at least, fully upon the record, and after judgment, we think, the objections come too late; and especially is this true? when not made the ground for a motion for a new trial, or in arrest' of judgment in the court below. From this record, the defendant can have no difficulty in protecting himself against any action that may be brought either on the note or award.
The fourth and last error assigned is, that the judgment should have been for defendant, on the plea of prior adjudication. The defendant before the justice, set up by his answer, the former proceedings referred to in the facts found by the court. As shown by the statement of the case, that cause was tried before a jury, and verdict rendered in these words — “No cause of action.” The justice thereupon entered judgment — “ that the plaintiff be nonsuited” — where*295upon the plaintiff paid the costs of said suit, and commenced the present action. Do these facts show such a former adjudication as to bar the present action ? We think not. It is to the judgment of the justice that we are to look in determining this question. • The verdict of the jury cannot bar the plaintiff’s action, unless foEowed by such a judgment'as amounts to a prior adjudication or determination of the matter in controversy; Before a prior judgment can be a bar to a subsequent action, we understand that the point or matter in issue, between the parties must have been' determined, and such determination or decision' must have been upon the merits. If, therefore, a suit shall be discontinued, or a plaintiff shall become nonsuit, or if, for any other causé, there has been no judgment of the court upon the matter in' issue, the proceedings are not conclusive, and will not bar a subsequent suit for the same cause of action. Bridge et al. v. Sumner, 1 Pick. 371; Inh. of Knox v. Inh. of Waldsborough, 5 Greenlf. 185; 1 Greenl. Ev. §§ 529, 530; 3 Black; Com. 296, 377. It is true that the order that the plaintiff be nonsuited, after the rendition of the verdict, was an unusual one, and we may go even farther, and say that it was irregular; and upon review iu the District Court, would- perhaps have been set aside. But it was certainly as much the duty of the defendant as plaintiff to have this order corrected. As it stands, we cannot treat it as void. But treating it as simply irregular, it is conclusive, until reversed of set aside, and giving to the language used its usual and recognized signification, it amounts to nothing more than an order discontinuing the former suit, or perhaps ordering a' nonsuit for some cause not disclosed. So construing the language, we think the plaintiff’s action is not barred by such former proceedings.
Judgment affirmed.