Cooper v. Drennen

90 So. 787, 206 Ala. 549, 1921 Ala. LEXIS 209

• Court: Supreme Court of Alabama
• Decided: October 27, 1921
• Docket: 6 Div. 234.
• Status: Published

Opinion

SOMERVILLE, J.

The bill of complaint in this cause prays for rescission of a parol purchase of corporate stock previously issued, on account of deceit in procuring the purchase, and the recovery ■ of the purchase money paid for the stock.

[1] On the face of the hill, complainant’s remedy at law is plain and adequate, and there is no need for the intervention of a court of equity, since there is no writing to be canceled or delivered up, no discovery sought, and an action at law majf be prosecuted without delay against defendants who are not insolvent.

“Courts of equity do not take jurisdiction merely for the purpose of declaring a rescission, but only for the purpose of administering some form of equitable relief or protection not available in other forums, or where, by reason of the insolvency of the offending party, a judgment at law might fail to compensate the injured party, or to place him in statu quo.” Hafer v. Cole, 176 Ala. 242, 249, 57 South. 757, 760.

This principle has been often applied in denial of equitable jurisdiction in cases like this. Knotts v. Tarver, 8 Ala. 743; Russell v. Little, 28 Ala. 160; King v. Livingston Mfg. Co., 180 Ala. 118, 60 South. 143.

The bill being without equity, the general demurrer for want of equity was properly sustained; and the trial court was thereupon authorized by the act of September 28, 1915 (Gen. Acts 1915, p. 831), to make the order directing that the cause be transferred j to the law side of the court, where it should have been originally brought. Appellants’ objections to the order are not tenable.

[2] 1. The general demurrer for want of equity comprehended the objection that there was a plain and adequate remedy at law, and therefore it cannot be said that the question was not before the court, nor that its ruling was outside of the pleadings.

[3] 2. On the former appeal (Drennen v. Cooper, 200 Ala. 328, 76 South. 94) there was no ruling by this court that the bill contained equity. There was in fact no discussion of that question, and, so far as appears, it was not brought to the attention of the court. If there was any implied recognition of the equity of the bill, as asserted by counsel for appellants, such an implication cannot bind this court on the present appeal.

The decree and order of the trial court were without error, and must be affirmed.

Affirmed.

ANDERSON, C. J., and McCLELLAN and THOMAS, JJ., concur.