Harris v. Christian

10 Pa. 233, 1849 Pa. LEXIS 207

• Court: Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
• Decided: April 9, 1849
• Status: Published

Opinion

Rogers, J.

We see nothing wrong in the trial, except the answer of the court to the defendant’s fifth point. The court was requested to instruct the jury that the. statute of limitations is a bar in all cases in which the services were rendered more than six years before the death of the alderman. The court refused to give this instruction, under the erroneous idea that the action was founded on a claim of record, and not a contract. Although the docket of the justice is evidence to charge the defendant with the costs of the original writ, subpoena, and execution, yet it is not a debt of record, but the evidence of a debt, from which the law will imply a promise to pay. And such was the opinion of the court, in Lyon v. McManus, 4 Binn. 167. The action to recover the fees, in that case, was assumpsit on an implied contract; and it was there held, that where a statute gives fees, the law implies a promise to pay by the person to whom the service is rendered. The plea of the statute of limitations is therefore a good plea. The suit is brought against the plaintiff to recover for services rendered him in the suits before the alderman. He must look to the defendant for indemnity. It may be proper to add, that the suits are terminated within the meaning of Lyon v. McManus, on the rendition of the several judgments. We are further of opinion that the costs may be recovered on a declaration for work and labour done, and goods sold and delivered. No injury can result to the defendant from the generality of the counts, as he may have a bill of particulars on demand.

Judgment reversed, and a venire de novo awarded.