Findley, Surviving Partners. v. Johnson

1 Tenn. 344

• Court: Tennessee Superior Court for Law and Equity
• Decided: October 6, 1808
• Status: Published

Opinion

Per Curiam.

Overton, j. and Humphreys, j. (Powel, J. dubitatur.)

In this case it is necessary to state what has been the practice. By the act of 1794, ch. 1, s. 26, the plaintiff is required to file his declaration within the first three days of the term—the defendant is required to plead within the next three days; if the defendant pleads specially, three days are allowed the plaintiff to reply, or demur, &c. after the time allowed for filing his declaration, &c. By the practice of the court which has become the law of the land, the rules are taken at the close of the term, ordinarily, on the last day, when it is usual for the parties to waive the time allowed for pleading, if not expired, and make up their issues by consent, so as to be ready for trial at the succeeding term. If the plaintiff desires to take judgment by default, for want of a plea, he must do it on the 7th day of the term, usually in the morning, for the court will not permit trials the be interrupted by motions. In case the plaintiff permits the 7th day to pass without taking judgment by default, it is a virtual waiver, until the rules are held, when he may again call for the defendant, and if he does not appear and plead, judgment by default passes. But even at the rules, this judgment must be regularly taken—that is, when the cause is called, by the clerk, in the order in which it stands on the docket, otherwise, it may be set aside for irregularity, at any time while the rules are holding, without an affidavit of merits. The judgment was accordingly set aside, and the plea received.