Barker v. Baker

5 Cow. 267

• Court: New York Supreme Court
• Decided: February 15, 1826
• Status: Published

Opinion

Curia.

In trover by executors, where the - conversion, which is the gist of the action, is after the death of the testator, they must pay costs, if they fail. (2 Saund. 47, k.) It is true, that in Cockerill et ux. v. Kynaston, relied on by the plaintiff’s counsel, costs were denied to the defendant, and the case is not distinguishable from the present. ■ But in a subsequent case, (Bollard v. Spencer, 7 T. R. 354,) Lord Kenyon said there was some mistake in Cockerill v. Kynaston ; and the plaintiffs having declared on a possession after the testator’s death, were holden on being nonsuited, to pay costs. In Hollis v. Smith, (10 East, 293,) the plead ings were like the second and third counts of this declaration. Lord Ellenborough said the question was, whether the plaintiffs need declare as administrators; that it certainly was not necessary to declare in that form; that on the death of the intestate, the plaintiffs were, in point of law, the owners of the goods; and, whether possessed of them or not, they might declare as other persons; and judgment was given against them for costs.

The rule that executors when prosecuting in right of the testator, shall not pay costs, applies to cases where it is necessary, to sue in their representative character. (Admrs. of Tilton v. Williams, 11 John. 403.) The general doctrine on this head was very fully considered in Ketchum v. Ketchzim, (4 Cowen’s Rep. 87.)

In the principal case, the whole evidence of the trover and conversion was of a time subsequent to the testator’s death. The defendant must take his judgment for costs.

Motion granted.