Hackett v. High

28 Iowa 539

• Court: Supreme Court of Iowa
• Decided: April 26, 1870
• Status: Published

Opinion

Wright, J.

If this had been a proceeding in the District Court there could be no question as to the correctness of the order of which appellant complains. For under the sixth subdivision of section 2880 (-Rev.), defendant had a right to plead this equitable matter; and then, by section 2617, the right to have the issue thus presented tried in the manner provided for the trial of equitable issues, is very clearly prescribed. And it would be entirely competent for the court to order, indeed good practice would demand, under ordinary circumstances, that such issues should be first tried and settled. This practice and rule has been heretofore recognized and upheld in this court. Kramer v. Conger, 16 Iowa, 434; Byers v. Rodabaugh, 17 id. 53.

The real inquiry, however, is whether these rules are applicable to a case pending in the Circuit Court. By the act creating that court (chapter 86, laws 1868), it is declared that “ it has jurisdiction concurrent with the District Court * * * to try and determine equitable '"issues arising in actions at law pending ” therein. And it is further provided, that all statutes in force, respecting the venue and commencement of actions, the jurisdiction, process and practice of the District Court, the pleading and mode of trial in actions at law or in equity, shall be deemed applicable to said court, except where the same are inconsistent with said act. If, therefore, the issues presented in this case were equitable, it would seem that all controversy would be closed. And that the issues arising on the answer are strictly equitable, and to be tried as in cases “ heretofore exclusively cognizable in equity,” we feel quite clear. Plaintiff could not, without settlement with his partner, before the adjustment of their partnership affairs, and before dissolution, by suing him at law, deprive him of the right of having a settlement and adjustment in an equitable tribunal. Indeed, a well recognized part of the equity jurisdiction is the settlement of just such controversies.

This latter proposition is so familiar as not to need support, beyond its mere statement. And having thus decided the very case before us, we need not say more. In what cases the matter pleaded would raise an equitable issue, within the meaning of the statute, or what, if any, general rule could or would be given or established on, the subject, is unnecessary now to announce. Simply remarking that we have found it not free from difficulty, we pass it until it more legitimately arises.

Affirmed.