American National Insurance v. Brantley

140 S.E. 760, 165 Ga. 305, 1927 Ga. LEXIS 382

• Court: Supreme Court of Georgia
• Decided: December 14, 1927
• Docket: No. 6024
• Status: Published

Opinion

Gilbert, J.

1. “If pending an equitable suit the issues are modified so as to eliminate all claims for equitable relief, and the ease proceeds for only common-law relief, and a final judgment is rendered on such issues as remain for decision, a writ of error to the Supreme Court based on such judgment will be transferred to the Court of Appeals, because the latter court has jurisdiction and the Supreme Court has not jurisdiction of the case. ” Coals v. Casey, 162 Ca. 236 (133 S. E. 237), and cit.

No. 6024. December 14, 1927. C. C. Crockett, for plaintiff in error. S. P. New and T. E. Hightower, contra.

2. The original petition in this ease merely sought recovery on a policy of life-insurance, and also damages and attorney’s fees for refusal to pay within the statutory period. The insurance company answered that it admitted liability, but that the proceeds were claimed by two persons and that payment could not be safely made without direction of the court. Thereupon the defendant company paid into court the amount admitted by all parties to be due, and prayed that the claimants be required to interplead. The prayer was granted, and the claimants, before trial, agreed upon a division between them of the money, which was accordingly paid out to them. Thereafter the case was prosecuted by the original plaintiff solely to recover the penalty under the Civil Code (1910), § 2549. No other issue was involved. Held, that the Supreme Court is without jurisdiction, and the case must be transferred to the Court of Appeals. Ho ordered.

All the Justices concur.