Sheldon v. Wood

3 Sandf. 739

• Court: The Superior Court of New York City
• Decided: May 10, 1851
• Status: Published

Opinion

Mason, J.

The court has power to order a reference in actions sounding in tort, where the trial of the issues of fact shall require the examination of a long account. Therefore where an action is brought to recover back money alleged to have been fraudulently charged in an account between the parties, a reference will be ordered, though the ground of the action is the fraud of the defendant.

Section 271 of the code is broader in its terms than the provisions of the revised statutes on the same subject. The latter provided for the appointment of'referees in actions founded on contract; the code authorizes a reference in all actions whatever.

We think that the account in this cause could not well be investigated and settled by a jury, and the motion for a reference is therefore granted, the costs to abide the event of the suit.