Bryan v. Stidger

17 Cal. 270

• Court: California Supreme Court
• Decided: July 1, 1861
• Status: Published

Opinion

Baldwin, J. delivered the opinion of the Court

Field, C. J. and Cope, J. concurring.

The only question in this case is, whether notice be necessary before an order can be made under the two hundred and fourteenth section of the Practice Act. That section provides for the issuance of an execution in eases of judgment rendered more than five years before the application. We think that no notice is necessary in such cases. The statute does not require it in terms; and the fact that the Act of 1850 required notice, and this provision now in force omits this requirement, is significant to show that the Legislature did not design to continue it. It would subserve no useful purpose to require notice, for if the execution issues irregularly, or if the defendant has a good defense, or any cause to show against the enforcement of the process, he has a plain and speedy remedy. Besides, the requirement might frequently lead to great inconvenience and delay, as in case of nonresident debtors, and not unfrequently hazard the collection of the whole debt. But it is sufiicient to say that the act does not, in terms, require notice, and this is not one of those proceedings from which notice is implied as a" prerequisite.

Order affirmed.