Adams v. Woods

8 Cal. 306

• Court: California Supreme Court
• Decided: July 1, 1857
• Status: Published

Opinion

Burnett, J., delivered the opinion of the Court—Terry, C. J., concurring.

In the matter of the petition of Edward Stanly.

In the progress of this suit the Court below, on the twelfth October, 1855, appointed Henry M. ISTaglee as receiver, with authority to bring suits, and employ counsel. On the twenty-ninth October, 1855, the petitioner was employed as counsel by the receiver, and continued to act as such until the tenth May, 1856. The petitioner then filed his petition, praying the appointment of a referee, before whom his account might be presented, for adjustment and allowance. The Court appointed the referee, who proceeded to take testimony and make his report. The report was set aside, on motion, and the petitioner appealed to this Court.

The learned counsel for the defendants, Woods and Haskell, insists that the appeal should be dismissed, upon the grounds : First, that the appellant is no party to the record, nor the successor in interest of a party; Second, that no appeal will lie from such an order.

The Constitution of this State confers upon this Court appellate power, in all cases where the amount in controversy exceeds two hundred dollars; and, this appellate power having been conferred by the Constitution, cannot be taken away, or impaired, by act of the Legislature. It is -within the legitimate powers of the Legislature to prescribe the mode of taking appeals, so that the appellate powers of this Court be not thereby impaired. And this Court is expressly empowered, by the Constitution, to issue all writs and processes necessary to the exercise of its appellate jurisdiction.

And, as the appellate power of this Court extends to cases like the present, the only question that can arise, regards the time and the mode of invoking it. The petitioner, therefore, must have the right to the decision of this Court in some form.

By the three hundred and thirty-fifth section of the Practice Act, “ any party aggrieved may apjteal in cases proscribed in l that title.”

The only inquiry arising under this provision is, who is a “party aggrieved,’.’ in the contemplation of the statute.

In a note to the case of Williams v. G-wyn, 2 Saund., a 46, it is stated:

“ No person can bring a writ of error, unless he is a party, or privy to the record, or is prejudiced by the judgment; the rule upon the subject being, that a writ of error can only be brought by him who would have had the thing, if the erroneous judgment had not been given.”

And in the ease of South’s Heirs v. Hay, 3 Bibb, 523, the Chief Justice said:

“ It is a general rule, that no one who is not a party, or privy to a judgment, or prejudiced thereby, can maintain a writ of error to reverse it.”

So, in the case of Swan v. Piquet, 3 Pick., 443, it was held that a debtor of an estate could not appeal from a decree of the Judge of Probate, granting letters of administration. The Court were of the opinion: “ that under the statute, a party aggrieved must be one who is interested in the administration of the estate, and not a debtor merely.” See also 9 Mass. R., 385.

The rule in reference to writs of error, would seem, by parity of reasoning, to apply to the right of appeal. And as to the question who is the party aggrieved, the test found in the note already quoted from Saunders, seems to be the most clear and simple that could be conceived. Would the party have had the thing, if the erroneous judgment had not been given? If the answer be yea, then the person is- the “ party aggrieved.” But his right to the thing must be the immediate, and not the remote consequence of the judgment, had it been differently given.

If, then, the decision of the Court below had been in favor of Stanly, he would have been entitled to the thing in controversy, and therefore is aggrieved by the decision if erroneous.

The second ground for dismissing the appeal is, that no appeal will lie from such an order.

It would seem that the order appealed from is not one of those mentioned in the third division of section three hundred and thirty-six, from which an appeal will lie before final judgment. The order in this case, from which the appeal is taken, was a special order made after final judgment. The final decree of . dissolution was rendered, in December, 1856, and the order was made in January, 1857.

The next point insisted upon by the counsel of Woods and Haskell, is that “ appellant’s motion for a reference, the order of the Fourth District Court allowing it, and all the proceedings thereunder, were grossly irregular and a nullity.”

This is simply a question of practice, and yet it is one of great importance.

A receiver is an indifferent person as between the parties, and is an officer appointed by the Court, and is, therefore, not to be disturbed by any person, without the special leave of the Court. He is appointed on behalf of all the parties who may establish rights in the cause, and the money in his hands is in custodia legis for whosoever can make out a title to it. Edwards on Receivers, pp. 2, 3.

In this case the complaint was for a dissolution of a partnership, the appointment of a receiver, and the distribution-of the partnership assets among the creditors. The appointment of a receiver was only a means to attain the end contemplated by the plaintiff in the suit; and the employment of counsel by the receiver was also a means to attain the same end. Both these means were equally within the relief prayed for by the plaintiff, for the reason that the relief could not possibly be obtained without the use of such means. And if the complaint intended to reach a certain end, it equally intended the use of all the means necessary to obtain it.

As the employment of counsel was contemplated by the suit, and as it is conceded that the receiver had the right to stipulate with the counsel, that he ifiust rely upon the allowance the Court might make out of the particular fund, and not upon the personal responsibility of the receiver, it became, a question as to what was the proper course for the counsel to take under the circumstances. And the Court below seems to have taken a very just and satisfactory view of the practice proper in such cases.

It is the duty of the receiver to file his accounts when required by the Court, and if he fail in this, the Court, upon application of a party in interest, or upon its own motion, will compel him to do so. When his account is filed, all claims against the fund for disbursements, or engagements made by the receiver, would properly come before the Court for consideration. When the receiver hás paid no money, but has made an arrangement with a party to receive such compensation as the Court may allow, he should report the facts, leaving a blank for the sum that may be allowed. If any of the parties employed by the receiver, should not be satisfied with the account, in whole or in part, they could then make their obligations, and if any one or more of them should feel aggrieved by the final order of the Court, they should all appeal, and all the questions should come up before this Cfourt in one case. However extensive the récord, and numerous the parties and questions might be, the labor of this Court, and the expense to the parties, would not in this way be increased, but diminished. But if a separate reference and a separate appeal were allowed in regard to each separate claim upon the fund, then the proceedings would be greatly prolonged, to the injury of all parties. And when the appeal should be taken, it would only be necessary for the Court below to order the receiver to retain so much of the fund in his hands as might be necessary to pay the disputed items, if finally allowed, and order a distribution of the remainder.

We will now proceed to examine the claim of the petitioner upon its merits. And in the first place, we must say that the index to the transcript is almost entirely worthless. The testimony fills some one hundred and fifty pages, and the only reference to it in the index is to the pages where it begins. And in the briefs of counsel no reference is made to the pages of the transcript, but only to the name of the witness, and the day on which his testimony was taken. In the points made by the respondent, it is true, a partial reference to the pages of the transcript is made. For these reasons, we have been compelled to waste much time in searching for matters that could have been readily found, either with a proper index, or a correct reference in the brief to the pages of the record. It appears that during the investigation had before the referee, Mr. Stanly was examined as a witness, at the instance of Mr. Park, one of-the attorneys of Alvin Adams; and Mr. O. L. Shafter, also one of the attorneys of Alvin Adams, was examined at the instance of the attorney for petitioner. The testimony of the receiver Uaglee, was also taken.

In reference to the agreement between the receiver and Stanly, the latter states - substantially, that he was retained as counsel for the receiver in all the business in which said FTaglee was acting as receiver—that, as there was more than one man could attend to, it was agreed that Messrs. Shafter & Park were to be associated with Stanly, and the compensation for their services was to be allowed by the Court—that Shafter & Park were to receive their compensation through Stanly, and that Stanly was not to be responsible to Shafter & Park for any compensation, unless received by him; that the division between them of whatever compensation might be allowed, was left entirely to Stanly —that Stanly made an arrangement with Shafter & Park, to his satisfaction—and that the service was rendered by Shafter & Park according to their agreement with Stanly.

Mr. Shafter states, that “ the arrangement as finally made between Shafter & Park, and Mr. ISTaglee, to which Mr. Stanly was a party, was this—Mr. Stanly was to be the attorney of record for the receiver, and Shafter & Park were to be associated with him, (Mr. Stanly,) in fact,' but not on the record, and that we were to aid Mr. Stanly in the transaction of all’professional business, as the receiver might require, and the service performed by the three, in aid of the fund, was to be the basis of charge, wholly irrespective, whether it was rendered by Shafter & Park, or Mr. Stanly, (that all the service was to be rendered through Mr. Stanly,) and charged for in his name; that is, the claim for the services of Shafter & Park, and Mr. Stanly, was to be presented in Mr. Stanley’s name, and the amount allowed by the Court was to be divided between Shafter & Park and Stanly, as they could agree upon.”

The receiver stated, that “the agreement between us was, that he (Stanly,) should receive five hundred dollars as a retainer, out of the first funds-which should come into the hands of the receiver, and such other compensation should be allowed, after the services should be performed, as Judge Hager should-conceive to be reasonable, and that I was not to be held responsible for any of the fees. There was an understanding between myself and Mr. Stanly, that there should be no official^ connection between myself and Messrs. Shafter & Park, in the'matters pertaining to the business of Adams & Co., and that any assistance rendered by them to him, was a matter of understanding between themselves.”

The several statements of Mr. Stanly, Mr. Shafter, and the receiver, as to the arrangements between the parties, do not differ in substance, except as to the retainer-fee of five hundred dollars. The arrangement is clearly expressed in the language of Mr. Shafter: “Mr. Stanly was to be the attorney of record for the receiver, and Shafter & Park were to be associated with him in fact, but not op the record.”

In the account of Mr. Stanly, filed with the referee, he states that “ the valuable services of associate counsel are included in this account.”

As the services of Staffer & Park constituted in part, the basis upon which the claim of the petitioner was allowed by the referee, it has been objected by the defendants and others, that the arrangement made between the receiver and the petioner was illegal, and that the referee should have disregarded it. If this position be well taken, it would certainly affect the claim of the petioner very materially.

Mr. Edwards, in his work on Receivers in Chancery, states the rule thus:

“ When the receiver is thus fully appointed, he should retain his own solicitor and counsel, who ought not to be the same as are employed by any of the parties in the suit; because the solicitors of the several parties are bound, in duty to their clients, to watch the proceedings of the receiver, and to see that he faithfully discharges his trust) and the undertaking to act as the solicitor or counsel for the receiver, under such‘circumstances, would therefore frequently cast upon the person thus assuming to act inconsistent and conflicting duties, both of which duties could not be properly discharged by the same person.” Page 93.

It is insisted by the counsel of the petioner that “ Shafter & Park were not in fact employed at all as his counsel.” But this would seem not to be true, Mr. Shafter in his testimony states that Stanly was the attorney of record, and Shafter & Park were associated with him in fact, but not on the record. The learned counsel insists, in another part of his brief, that “ the relation of Shafter & Park to Mr. Stanly, when exactly considered, was not that of associate counsel.”

But both Mr. Stanly and Mr. Shafter state differently, and it is apprehended that it would require a very exact discrimination to see the distinction. Certainly, Messrs. Shafter & Park acted as counsel. If they did not act as associate counsel with Mr. Stanly, in what capacity did they act ? It is true, they are called, in one part of the brief, “ subalterns ” of Stanly; but this may be true, and yet, they may have been associate counsel. It is very usual, when several counsel are employed, to give one the leading control of the case, and the others must, of course, he subordinate. If Shafter & Park acted as the counsel of Adams, then they cannot have any claim upon the receiver, or upon the fund in his hands. On the contrary, if they acted as counsel for the receiver, they must have acted as associate counsel with Mr. Stanly, for they all three acted as counsel in the same matters, and for the same party, and claim pay out of the same fund. The only difference that can be perceived between the relation of Stanly and Shafter & Park, and that usually existing between associate counsel, consists in the fact that Stanly was the counsel of record, and Shafter & Park counsel in fact, and not of record. But it cannot be perceived how this circumstance can change the relation they sustained to each other, and to the receiver, in" the contemplation of a Court of Equity. On the contrary, this attempt to evade a salutary rule, in the manner stated, deserves the less indulgence. If Shafter & Park had put their names upon the record, as the associate counsel of Stanly, their claim for compensation would have deserved more consideration.

The learned counsel for the petitioner says, in another portion of his brief, that Shafter & Park “refused to subject themselves to the receiver’s counsel, unless they could be compensated for it.”

But what right had they, being the counsel of Alvin Adams, to subject themselves to the receiver’s counsel, whether with or without compensation ? Adams and the receiver clearly occupied very different positions with respect to the fund, and the claims upon it. When, therefore, Shafter & Park subjected themselves to the receiver’s counsel, they placed themselves in a false position. It was the duty of Haglee to do entire justice to all parties. He had no interest in defeating just claims, or in allowing those that were unjust. His- position was that of perfect impartiality. But it was not so with Adams. It was his pecuniary interest to defeat all. the claims. Besides that, it was his interest to make the receiver liable, if he could. Suppose that Adams should wish to call in question the acts of the receiver, in those very cases where Shafter & Park advised and acted as his counsel. It would certainly place the counsel in a most embarrassing position.

The salutary character of the rule which will not permit a receiver to employ as his counsel those engaged for any other party to the proceedings, and the necessity for sustaining and enforcing it, are forcibly illustrated, and confirmed by the facts and circumstances of this case. The counsel seem to have been fully aware of the rule, otherwise we cannot account for the circumstance that Shafter and Park were not associate counsel on the record, hut were such in point of fact.

In the proceedings before the referee, Mr. Stanly was introduced and examined as a witness by Mr. Park, who acted ostensibly as the attorney of Adams. The fact that the petitioner was introduced by the counsel of Adams, is one of the grounds stated in the brief of counsel to sustain the decision of the referee in permitting Mr. Stanly’s testimony to be heard against the objections made by the counsel of other parties. The only object for which the testimony of Mr. Stanly was introduced, must have been to sustain his claim. Alvin Adams had no interest in sustaining the claim, but Mr. Park had; for his compensation, under the existing arrangement, depended solely upon the success of the petitioner. If Mr. Stanly failed, in whole or in part, Mr. Park was directly affected. Mr. Park, then, in his ostensible capacity as counsel of Adams, introduces the petitioner upon-the ground that he was an adverse party in interest to his client, Adams; while the real object of the testimony was to sustain the claim; and therefore, to obtain a direct advantage to the attorney himself. And it is most justly remarked by the Judge of the District Court, that “ Stanly and Park, instead of being in the position of adversaries, were coadjutors, and by the admissions of the one called out by the other, both were interested in sustaining the claim, and neither could testify in favor of the other as against the fund, or the parties claiming an interest therein.”

After the introduction and examination of Mr. Stanly by Mr. Park, Mr. Shafter was introduced as a witness by the counsel of petitioner. Mr. Shafter stated that he had assigned his interest in the claim to Mr. Hays, the attorney of Mr. Stanly. A motion was made before the referee to strike out the testimony of Mr. Shafter, which was overruled. *

It is objected to the testimony of Mr. Shafter, that he was, incompetent as a witness, for the reason that he was the assignor of an unliquidated demand, and therefore, incompetent under section four of the Practice Act. This objection is answered by saying that the rule applies only in actions brought by the assignee.

It is true that the language of that section, taken literally, applies only to suits strictly brought by the assignee. But we must take the different provisions of the act together; and from a comparison of them all, seek the true meaning of the Legislature. By the four hundred and twenty-second section of the act “ a person for whose immediate benefit the action is prosecuted or defended, though not a party to the action, may be examined as a witness, in the same manner, and subject to the same rules of examination as if he were named as a party.”

The substantial effect of this provision is, to place persons for whose immediate benefit the action is prosecuted or defended, though not parties to the record, upon the same footing as formal parties, so far as regards their position as witnesses. It is then clear, that if Mr. Shafter had not assigned his interest, he would not have been a competent witness for Mr. Stanly; and the intention of the fourth section, is to continue the incompetency of the witness after he has assigned his interest. The object of that section was to prevent the practice of assigning claims, with a view to making a witness of the assignor. This being 'the object of the statute, it does not matter whether the assignee is a formal party to the record, or whether the suit is prosecuted for his immediate benefit. The reason and principle of this rule will equally apply here. In _this ease the assignee was substantially a party, and that was sufficient. A substantial and a formal party stand upon the same footing as witnesses. So, a substantial and a formal assignee stand upon the same ground; neither can introduce the assignor as a witness. If this were permitted, the true intention of the statute could be indirectly defeated. A certain end was contemplated by the statute, and must be attained. The law cannot be defeated by simply varying the mode of attack. When the facts are known to the Court, such attempts must fail. Here, Shafter & Park are first the counsel of Alvin Adams, the plaintiff in this suit j Mr. Stanly then becomes the counsel of record for the receiver, and Shafter & Park became his associate counsel in fact, and by an arrangement among themselves, they are to share in the compensation to be recovered through Stanly. Mr. Park, as counsel for Adams, introduces Mr. Stanly as a witness, and Mr. Shafter assigns his interest, apd is introduced by his assignee, acting as attorney for Stanly. Surely, such a course cannot be sustained in a Court of Equity, however innocent the intention of the parties may in fact have been.

The testimony of both Stanly and Shafter was inadmissible.

In Edwards on Receivers, it is said that it “ will not be well for a receiver, even though he may be a professional man, to act as counsel in the business of his trust, as he will not be entitled to any extra counsel-fees for his work.”

The learned author refers to the case of the Bank of Niagara, (6 Paige, 213,) which sustains the position stated. In that case the Chancellor held, that “ no allowance for extra counsel-fees to himself, can therefore be made to a receiver, or other trustee, upon the settlement of his accounts.”

The principle settled in these authorities is entirely applicable to the facts of this case. ' Shatter & Park being the counsel of Adams, had no right to subject themselves to the counsel of the receiver; and any services they may have performed, must be held to have been performed for their own client, and they must look to him alone for compensation. It would be as safe to permit a receiver to act as his own counsel, and to allow him compensation therefor, as to permit the attorney of the plaintiff to act for the receiver, and then claim pay out Of the fund in his hands. The practice, if tolerated, would lead inevitably to the most melancholy abuses. Attorneys are officers of the Court, and it is its highest duty to see that its own officers conduct themselves properly; and that this end may be obtained, the Court should inflexibly discountenance every practice that may tend to bring reproach upon the administration of justice.

The petitioner is only entitled to compensation for the services he individually performed, and no more. And as to what those services were worth, we must leave the Court below to determine. That Court is acquainted with all the facts and circumstances ; and it would require, in our opinion, a clear abuse of 'that discretion, to justify any interference on the part of this Court.

Judgment affirmed.