Braden v. Kakhaiser

3 Sandf. 760

Opinion

Duer, J.

in announcing the decision, said, the court saw no reason for deviating from the rule which had prevailed in cases like this from a very early period until the code of procedure took effect. It is true, the code, in terms, makes the costs allowed, rather an indemnity to the prevailing party, than the measure of compensation between attorney and client. But it was intended to adopt fixed rules in respect to costs given in the actions mentioned in section three hundred and four; and this cannot be carried out, if the circumstances of separate answers when put in by the same attorney be allowed to confer the right to separate costs. A full bill to each defendant in such a case, will be certain in most instances, to give to both more than an indemnity; and we think it is better to adhere to the practice adopted under the old system, that only a single bill of costs can be taxed for all the defendants who appear by the same attorney.