Elliott v. Bastian

40 P. 713, 11 Utah 452, 40 P.R. 713, 1895 Utah LEXIS 78

• Court: Utah Supreme Court
• Decided: June 17, 1895
• Docket: No. 560
• Status: Published

Opinion

KiNG, J.:

On the 2d day of May, 1883, Lord Claude Hamilton and John Elliott commenced suit against John Bastían, John Firth, and Arthur Brown, to recover possession of a certain mining property in Juab county, Utah, commonly called the “ Copperopolis Mine,” and which plaintiffs allege they owned in fee simple and were entitled to the possession of. Plaintiffs further alleged that defendants ousted them therefrom on the 25th day of March, 1883, and have ■extracted ores from said mine, of the value of $20,000. Defendants’ answer contains a specific denial of }Dlaintiffs5 averments, and alleges ownership of the property in themselves. No further proceedings were had in the case until some time in 1889, when it appears that a supplemental complaint, which cannot be found, was filed. From the answer to the same, it is apparent that the supplemental complaint alleged the death of Hamilton, one of the plaintiffs, and asked to continue the cause in the name of the surviving plaintiff; and also averred that the American Eagle Mining Company, a corporation, had succeeded to the interest of the defendants, and asked that said corporation be made a party defendant. The American Eagle Mining Company answered and averred that in pursuance of the statute it had made great improvements on the property, and was holding under color of title adversely to the plaintiff’s claim, and in good faith. It also pleaded. ■the statute of limitations.- No further steps were taken in ■court until September 23, 1893, when, upon application of defendants, the case was regularly set for trial on ■October 3d of the same year. At the time designated for the hearing, defendants appeared. A jury was called, and verdict rendered for defendant. No one represented the plaintiffs at the trial. On November 5, 1894, more than •six months after the adjournment of the term at which the trial was had and judgment rendered, Edward Austin ■and TV. F. Tipping served defendants with notice of motion, accompanied with affidavits, to set aside and vacate the judgment, for the reason that at the time the judgment was rendered John Elliott was dead, and no substitution ■of party plaintiff was had, and the cause was called and submitted without notice and in violation of an agreement ■of defendants for settlement; and also to substitute said parties as plaintiffs on the ground that they were the duly ■constituted and appointed trustees for the interests represented by the late Mammoth Copperopolis Mining Company and the late British Tintic Mining Company, and of the share and debenture holders of said companies; and •also for leave to file a supplemental complaint.

In Austin’s affidavit it was stated that in 1874 the property in question was conveyed to Hamilton and Elliott •as trustees, to secure debentures issued by the Mammoth Copperopolis Mining Company, and 'that later, said •company being involved, further debentures were issued, and in 1877 the British Tintic Mining Company was organized to • acquire said property and take up the outstanding debentures or claims against the property; that the necessary steps were taken in the English courts, and by proper indentures, to extinguish the debentures and obligations'of the first-named company, and to transfer them to the latter, which thereupon issued debentures to discharge said obligations and to revest the legal title to said property in said Hamilton and Elliott, to be by them held as trustees for the debenture and stock holders of said last-named corporation; that judgment was obtained in Utah against said company, and the property sold under execution, and purchased by defendants Bastían, Firth, and Brown, and was subsequently by them transferred to the defendant the American Eagle Mining Company; that in 1883 the said British Tintic Mining Company having defaulted in the interest on said debentures, said trustees were required to proceed under said trust and take possession of and sell said property; that notice was thereupon given by said trustees to said company, and thereafter this action was brought to eject defendants from the property in controversy; that in 1884 Hamilton died, leaving Elliott sole trustee, and o in April, 1891, Elliott died .testate, having appointed his wife executrix; that by the terms of the indenture creating the trust the legal title to the property vested in the executrix of Elliott, and, upon request of the directors of the British Tintic Mining Company, she duly appointed Austin and Tipping trustees, and transferred the title of the property to them; that prior to the demise of Elliott, negotiations had been entered into with the defendants, and a contract signed by the latter and Elliott, by the terms of which all claims against the property both of defendants and the debenture holders and stockholders were to be extinguished; the legal title by deeds and otherwise perfected in Elliott, a new corporation organized under the laws of England which should issue stock to defendants, and also to the debenture holders, and as soon as all obligations were fully discharged, the defendants were to allow judgment in the case in favor of Elliott as trustee, damages for extracting ores being waived, and he was to lease the property to the new company for 99 years for a nominal consideration. That Elliott entered upon the labors necessary to perfect this arrangement, but died before consummating them; thereafter the stock and debenture holders of the English companies aforesaid continued the labors and were ready and willing to fully carry out the terms of said contract, when defendants broke off said negotiations, and in violation of the agreement procured said judgment; that it was believed that all differences, between the parties would be settled in accordance with said contract, and the application for substitution of the' proper parties as plaintiffs was delayed in order to settle-the entire matter; that affiant had no notice or knowledge of the judgment until May, 1894, and believes that the-other parties in interest, including his cotrustees, were unacquainted with the facts until advised by affiant; that all parties interested, except this affiant and defendants, reside in England, and that the affiant has used reasonable diligence to procure the necessary information in order to-make this application.

The affidavit of Van Horn, of the late firm of Baskin & Van Horn, was also submitted, in which it was stated that said firm were attorneys for plaintiff, and that they had no notice or knowledge of the setting of the cause or-of the judgment therein, until October 10, 1894. There-was also presented an affidavit by the present attorney, showing the diligence used by him in making this application. Defendants filed counter affidavits stating that after said judgment was rendered the property was sold for ®55,000, and that since then it had been twice sold,, and the vendees had enjoyed peaceable possession thereof, and had expended nearly $40,000 in improvements thereon. The affidavit of one of the defendants denied many of the-allegations in Austin's affidavit, and stated that after fruitless negotiations for an amicable settlement affiant wrote-Austin that defendants did not care to continue further-negotiations for a compromise, and that in August, 1893,. Austin knew that there would be no amicable settlement* The affidavit of the clerk of the court recited that after the ease was set for trial plaintiffs’ attorneys were immediately notified, and that before the day of hearing affiant’s impression was a letter was received from one of the attorneys stating that his firm had no farther connection with the canse. Austin filed a rebutting affidavit, denying that he had received the letter claimed to have been written by one of the defendants, or that he had any notice that ■defendants would proceed to trial. Affiant also stated that the various indentures creating the trust referred to in his first- affidavit were duly recorded in Juab county, TJtah, .and that purchasers of the property knew of the condition of the title to said property. Another affidavit was filed reciting the facts tending to show that the vendees of said property had knowledge of the liens upon said property, •and the trust title vested in Elliott and his successors. The trial court refused to set aside and vacate the judgment, and from the order denying the motion this appeal is taken.

We think the only points presented that require consideration are: First. Was the judgment rendered in the •case void or voidable? Second. If voidable only, had the lower court the power to grant the motion and vacate the .judgment? Third. If it had such power, did appellants invoke the proper remedy? Appellants’ contention is that the judgment rendered herein, being against a deceased person, is absolutely void, and that in a direct proceeding .such as this,- it must be vacated. It is to be observed that there is nothing in the judgment roll or any of the proceedings of the court to indicate the death of the plaintiff Elliott, and not until after the expiration of 13 months from the rendition of the judgment is it assailed. Four terms of court had passed in the meantime, and more than six months had expired after the adjournment ■of the term at which the judgment was rendered. The court’s attention was not calléd to the death of Elliott, until said affidavits were filed. Whether a judgment is-void when an inspection of the judgment roll reveals the death of one of the parties to the controversy, or a lack of 'jurisdiction of the person or subject-matter of the-action, it is not necessary for us now to determine, although it has been held in California that such a judgment is a nullity, and can be assailed either in a direct- or collateral proceeding. But Mr. Freeman announces the-rule to be that a judgment obtained upon a record which disclosed the death of one of the parties prior thereto is-not void, but only erroneous, and can only be corrected, on appeal. 1 Ereem. Judgm. § 153. In 1 Bolle, Abr. 746, it is said that, “ If in a cui in vita the tenant dies, and afterwards judgment is against him which is erroneous,, an execution is sued against the heir, he shall not avoid the judgment in assize without error.” Again: ,cSoina. scire facias by an executor upon a judgment in ejectment, by his testator against B, execution shall not be avoided nor judgment stayed by saying that the tenant died pen-dente lite, for he ought to avoid it by error.” Id. 742.

Appellant’s counsel, in his very able brief, presents the-authorities from which various text writers deduce t£e rule-that judgment given after the death of a party is only voidable,' and after an analysis of these decisions counsel declares that such a judgment is in fact void, but, being valid on its face, the rules of law preclude any attempt to-make it appear as a nullity and attach inviolability to it-against collateral attack. But he says that when directly assailed, either by motion, bill of review, or writ of corani nobis, then it must be vacated, because it is void. We are-not able to fully concur in this view. It is true that some-courts hold that such a judgment is absolutely void, while expressions of others afford ground upon which to predicate-this view. We think the better rule to be that when a-•court has acquired jurisdiction of the subject-matter and the person during his lifetime, and a hearing is had and judgment rendered, and the judgment roll does not disclose the death of either party to the controversy, then such a judgment is not void because one of the parties may have died prior to its rendition. Such judgment, while erroneous, is not void, and, “While the court ought to cease to exercise its jurisdiction over a party at his ■death, the neglect to do so does not render such a judgment void; it is voidable when properly assailed.” Mr. ■Freeman announces the rule in these words: “If juris■diction is obtained over the defendant in his lifetime, a judgment rendered against him subsequently to his death is not void.” 1 Freem. Judgm. § 140. A different rule we think would be mischievous and fraught with evil results. A judgment free upon its face from every infirmity ■ought to possess some degree of sanctity. Especially should this be the rule in those jurisdictions where the statute limits the time within which applications can be made to the court to vacate and set aside judgments rendered therein. We think the weight of authority clearly supports the view herein expressed. 1 Black, Judgm. § 200, and cases cited in note; Hayes v. Shaw, 20 Minn. 405 (Gil. 355); Stocking v. Hanson, 22 Minn. 545; Yople v. Titus, 41 Pa. St. 203; Coleman v. McAnulty, 16 Mo. 177; Mitchell v. Schoonover, 16 Or. 216, 17 Pac. 867; Jennings v. Simpson, 12 Neb. 565, 11 N. W. 880; McCormick v. Paddock, 20 Neb. 486, 30 N. W. 602; Ried v. Holmes, 127 Mass. 326; Tapley v. Martin, 116 Mass. 275; New Orleans v. Gaines’ Adm’r, 138 U. S. 595, 11 Sup. Ct. 428. And this view is strengthened by the statute of this territory which provides that the death or disability of a party to any action or proceeding does not result in its abatement. 2 Comp. Laws, § 3187.

The second and third questions presented are so closely connected we will not attempt to discuss them separately. Formerly a judgment rendered after the death of one of the parties to the action was assailed by a writ of coram nobis or coram vobis. Tidd, Prac. 1136; 3 Bl. Comm. 407; Freem. Jndgm. §§ 93, 94. But we agree with appellants5 counsel that these writs have fallen into desuetude in most •of the states, and that the -proper way to call the court’s attention to a party’s death, and to have an erroneous and voidable judgment vacated, is by motion supported by .affidavits or otherwise. Park v. Higbe, 6 Utah, 416, 24 Pac. 524; Bronson v. Schulten, 104 U. S. 417.

We have no doubt of the power of the court to vacate •and set aside an erroneous and voidable judgment such as was rendered in this case,, and of the correctness of the procedure adopted by appellants to accomplish this result, but the important question is, was the application made ■in time? Section 3256 of the Compiled Laws provides that, “ The court may likewise in its discretion after notice to the adverse party, allow, upon such terms as may be just, an amendment to any pleading, * * * and may also, upon such terms as may be just, relieve a party ■or legal representative from a judgment, order or other proceeding taken against him through his mistake, inadvertence, surprise or excusable neglect; and when for any reason satisfactory to the court or the judge thereof, the party aggrieved has failed to apply for the relief sought ■during the term at which such judgment, order, or pro•ceeding complained of was taken, the court or judge thereof in vacation, may grant the relief upon the application made within a reasonable time, not exceeding six months after the adjournment of the term.” It is clear that this section controls the power of courts to grant relief against judgments of the character shown in the case at bar, and limits their discretion. It is unnecessary to discuss their joower at common law or in the absence of statutory provisions. This section is a part of onr civil procedure. It is concerning a matter which is a rightful subject of legislation. Though our courts possess common law and chancery jurisdiction, the Code prescribes limitations beyond which they cannot go. The time within which such relief can. be given is six months after the adjournment of the term at which the judgment was rendered. The reason of this-statute is obvious. There ought to be some fixed time-within which the court can exercise this discretion upon the application of the aggrieved party; and there ought, in the interest of the public, to be some period when persons could purchase property which has been the subject of litigation, and have some assurance that the title, while-perhaps vulnerable, could not be assailed upon a motion, and the judgment which had given title be vacated, without making them parties and affording an opportunity to meet the allegations of the moving party upon which the-application was based to set aside a solemn and formal, judgment.

The theory of the statute is that within the six months-mentioned application can be made, in an informal manner, by motion, without bringing in the parties who may have-acquired an interest in the property subsequent to the judgment, but that after the lapse of six months, if the-judgment is assailed and relief sought, then steps which are more formal must be taken. The application is prima-facie too late, and it was prima facie within time when made prior to the six months, and after such delay the court cannot proceed to act in the premises without an opportunity for all persons interested to present regularly an issue and be heard thereon. The moving party must, not only make the application, but must set up the facts excusing the delay, and the adverse parties have the right by answer to present an issue for determination. Whether the court would have power to set aside the judgment im this case after the six months mentioned in the statute if the judgment roll disclosed the death of the plaintiff, we are not called upon to determine, but we think this provision of the statute prohibits the court in a case of this character from vacating the judgment after the expiration of six months from the adjournment of the term at which it was rendered.

It may be asked, is there no possibility of relief in cases similar to the one now under discussion? Of course, it would be improper for us to adjudicate that question at this time, but we feel there is no impropriety in observing that the bill of review so common to chancery practice seems peculiarly fitted to bring before the court all the parties, and to present all the facts connected with the litigation, including those which are explanatory of the judgment and the delay, if there be any, in making the application to have it vacated; and the enforcement of equitable principles, if the facts presented warrant relief, would move the court, and, with the power which it possesses, justice would be done to all the parties.

Appellants’ counsel contends that it is unnecessary to remit the parties to another action; that the court where the cause was determined, having chancery jurisdiction, can determine this question as well now as when presented before it in a more formal manner by bill of review. While there is some force in this contention, we think the statute above referred to is decisive of the question. It would seem from the record that interests have been acquired in the property since the judgment, and, as above stated, it is apparent that one of the purposes, if not the chief purpose, of the statute is to protect purchasers of property, and not in a summary and informal manner dispossess them. Appellants’ application for relief is in its, nature ex parte, and after so long a time, in justice and in reason, the relief demanded ought to be given only upon a, full showing, after sufficient explanation for the delay, ¡and after all the parties interested in the controversy and the property in question have had an opportunity to present their claims and all the facts to the court. Section 473 of the Code of Civil Procedure of California is substantially the same as the section above quoted. In referring to the power of the court to vacate the judgment, the supreme court of California say: “It is provided by section 473 * * * that the relief which formerly could be had, during the term may be sought within a reasonable time, which is to be defined to be six months. * * * ” People v. Greene, 74 Cal. 404, 16 Pac. 197. And the same ■court in the case of People v. Temple, 103 Cal. 453, 37 Pac. 414, construe section 473. It is said: “What is a reasonable time within which a motion may be made to set aside a judgment not void upon its face, must depend somewhat ■upon the circumstances of each particular case, and is not definitely determined further than that it will not extend beyond the limit fixed by section 473 of the Code of Civil Procedure. When a judgment is not void upon its face,' the court has no power to set it aside on motion, unless the motion is made within a reasonable time, but resort should be had to an action, amd all, the parties interested should be notified and have an opportunity to be heard.” To the same effect are the cases of People v. Harrison, 84 Cal. 608, 24 Pac. 311; Jacks v. Baldez, 97 Cal. 91, 31 Pac. 899; People v. Goodhue, 80 Cal. 200, 22 Pac. 66. And it is clear that the reasonable time mentioned is the six-months limit prescribed by the statute. “The time •within which such an order could be vacated must be held ■■to be limited by section 473. * * * The court had no jurisdiction after the expiration of six months to vacate the order made on a mere motion for that purpose, the order not being void on its face.'” Moore v. Superior Court, 86 Cal. 496, 26 Pac. 22. We are of the opinion that the lower court has no authority to vacate the judgment rendered in this case upon the application made. The judgment is affirmed, with costs.

Meebitt, O. J., and Babtoh, J., concur.