Sampeer v. Boschma

119 N.W.2d 607, 369 Mich. 261, 1963 Mich. LEXIS 465
CourtMichigan Supreme Court
DecidedFebruary 7, 1963
DocketCalendar 6, Docket 49,409
StatusPublished
Cited by15 cases

This text of 119 N.W.2d 607 (Sampeer v. Boschma) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Michigan Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Sampeer v. Boschma, 119 N.W.2d 607, 369 Mich. 261, 1963 Mich. LEXIS 465 (Mich. 1963).

Opinions

Carr, C. J.

Plaintiff started this suit by declaration filed in the circuit court of Oakland county on October 6, 1960. He alleged in his pleading that defendant was indebted to him for work and labor performed and materials furnished pursuant to contractual relations. Defendant filed answer, pleading by way of set-off and recoupment that plaintiff was indebted to him on contractual obligations in an aggregate amount exceeding any claims that plaintiff might have. Further amended and supplemental [263]*263pleadings were filed by each of the parties, tbe ultimate question submitted for determination being as to tbe validity and sufficiency of plaintiff’s claims and defendant’s counterclaims.

Tbe case was set for trial on May 23, 1961, before tbe circuit judge without a jury. Prior to actual commencement of the trial on said date the judge and counsel representing the parties met in the judge’s office and, as it is claimed, a pretrial conference was there held. It does not appear that any pretrial statement was filed or served on either party. Apparently the judge considered that counsel had waived such service. At preliminary proceedings in the courtroom, following the conference in question, both the judge and counsel for defendant made reference to the “pretrial conference.” Neither attorney raised any questions because of the failure to file and serve the pretrial statement contemplated by Buie No 35, Michigan Court Bules (1945), then in force and effect, nor was any objection made to proceeding.

Following some preliminary discussion relating to the filing of the pleadings, counsel on each side made his opening statement, proofs were introduced, and the case submitted for determination. An opinion was filed in the cause on June 12, 1961, in which the judge, after referring to certain testimony and to the claims of the respective parties to the litigation, indicated his conclusion that plaintiff was entitled to recover judgment in the sum of $4,907.61. Judgment was entered accordingly. Defendant’s motion for a new trial was denied, and he has appealed, claiming that the judgment should be reversed and a new trial granted on the ground that the requirements of Court Buie No 35 with reference to pretrial procedure were not observed. It is fur[264]*264ther asserted that defendant’s hearing was defective, that he failed to correctly understand and answer questions propounded to him as a witness on the trial of the case, and that, because of such situation, he did not have a fair trial.

Michigan Court Rule No 35, in force and effect at the time of the trial in the instant case, contemplated that in every contested civil action a pretrial conference should be had for the discussion and determination of the specific matters set forth in the rule, and that the judge conducting such conference should prepare, file, and cause to be served upon the attorneys of record a summary of the results of the conference, with specific reference to the various items mentioned in the rule. That the procedure contemplated was not fully complied with in the instant case is conceded. No summary of the conference was prepared and served. In substance it is appellant’s claim that a new trial should be granted because of such failure. On behalf of plaintiff it is insisted that counsel representing defendant waived strict compliance with the rule and that, having done so, appellant may not now claim prejudicial error.

At the time of the trial of this litigation no pretrial calendar was maintained in the Oakland circuit as authorized by the rule. It appears that the procedure here followed was in accordance with the usual practice in said circuit, and that a party insisting on a conference under the rule, prior to the date of the trial, with due service of a summary of the proceedings thereat was afforded such privilege. No claim is made in the instant case that a request of this character was made nor is it denied that counsel for defendant was at the time familiar with the local practice and conversant with his rights. It may not be assumed that defendant’s position would in any way have been prejudiced had there been insistence on compliance with the rule.

[265]*265Similar questions involving alleged waiver of the right to question a matter of procedure by acquiescence or affirmative expression have frequently arisen in prior cases. In LeBeau v. Telephone & Telegraph Construction Co., 109 Mich 302, the trial judge answered a question of the jury, communicated through the court officer in charge, by a written statement which he caused to be delivered to the jury. This was done in the absence of counsel. Before a verdict was returned, however, the trial judge advised counsel on both sides as to what had occurred. Verdict having been returned for the defendant and judgment entered thereon, plaintiff on appeal raised the question as to the propriety of the method of answering the jury’s question. Commenting thereon, this Court said (p 305):

“At no time prior to the rendering of the verdict did counsel for plaintiff make any objection to said communication, nor to the rendering of the verdict, nor make any suggestion to the judge upon the facts connected therewith, and the verdict was received without objection from either party or their counsel. It is urged that this is error, and the cases of Fox v. Peninsular Color Works, 84 Mich 676, 682, and Hopkins v. Bishop, 91 Mich 328, 334 (30 Am St Rep 480), are cited by counsel. In the case at issue, counsel made no objection to the course taken by the circuit judge until the verdict was rendered. It seems to be pretty well settled that, after one has knowledge of an irregularity, he cannot remain silent, and take his chances of a favorable verdict, and afterwards, if the verdict goes against him, base error upon it. 2 Thompson, Trials, p. 1976. If the action of the trial court was irregular, the irregularity was waived by making no objection until after the verdict was rendered.”

Of like effect is Silverstone v. London Assurance Corporation, 187 Mich 333, 342.

[266]*266If counsel for defendant in the instant case considered that the rights of his client might be prejudiced by nonobservance of the requirement of the court rule with reference to filing and serving a summary of the pretrial conference, it was his duty to raise the question at the time. He could not properly remain silent, proceed with the trial, and then claim prejudicial error if the result was unsatisfactory. Substituted counsel is obviously in no better position. He takes the record as he finds it and is bound by his predecessor’s waiver of the right to object to the procedural course. Likewise, defendant is bound by any such waiver on the part of the attorney representing him at the trial. He may not avoid the effect of such waiver by changing counsel.

This Court in prior decisions has repeatedly indicated its disapproval of attempts to claim prejudicial error based on some claimed irregularity to which no objection was made at the time. Among such decisions are: Mason v. Vogue Knitting Corporation, 365 Mich 552, and prior decisions there cited; In re Ernst Kern Company, 365 Mich 462; Riste v. Grand Trunk W. R. Co., 368 Mich 32, 36. We are in accord with the holding of the trial judge that the right to claim prejudicial error was waived by counsel for defendant in the case at bar.

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Sampeer v. Boschma
119 N.W.2d 607 (Michigan Supreme Court, 1963)

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Bluebook (online)
119 N.W.2d 607, 369 Mich. 261, 1963 Mich. LEXIS 465, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/sampeer-v-boschma-mich-1963.