Troy W. Maschmeyer Co. v. Haas

136 N.W.2d 902, 376 Mich. 289, 1965 Mich. LEXIS 222

• Court: Michigan Supreme Court
• Decided: October 4, 1965
• Docket: Calendar 40, Docket 50,774
• Status: Published

Opinions

Smith, J.

Plaintiff recorded a mechanic’s lien against defendants’ property March 19, 1962, and filed a complaint in court to enforce the lien on February 28, 1963, that is to say, within the 1-year period provided by statute. However, defendants were not served with process until July 9,1963. Defendants answered and interposed as an affirmative defense that service had been made upon them after expiration of the period of limitation imposed by statute. The trial court ordered the affirmative defense dismissed and stricken from the pleadings. We granted leave to appeal.

The mechanic’s lien act provides:

“Sec. 9. The several liens herein provided for shall continue for 1 year after such statement or account is recorded in the office of the register of deeds, and no longer unless proceedings are begun to enforce the same as hereinafter provided.” CLS 1961, § 570.9 (Stat Ann 1963 Cum Supp § 26.289). (Emphasis supplied.)

“Sec. 10. Proceedings to enforce said lien shall be by bill in chancery, under oath, and notice of Us pendens recorded in the office of the register of deeds, shall have the effect to continue such lien pending such proceedings.” CLS 1961, § 570.10 (Stat Ann 1963 Cum Supp § 26.290).

Defendants (appellants) say that although the mechanic’s lien act sets up the 1-year period of limitation, the act does not provide when or under what conditions the period of limitation may be tolled. They say the answer to this is found in the general procedural statute, that is, the revised judicature act of 1961, PA 1961, No 236 (CLS 1961, § 600.101 et seq. [Stat Ann 1962 ítev § 27A.101 et seg.]),¹ more particularly that part containing the general statute of limitations. The section of the statute in question reads as follows:

“The statutes of limitations are tolled when

“(1) the complaint is filed and a copy of the summons and complaint are served on the defendant, or when

“(2) jurisdiction over the defendant is otherwise acquired, or when

“(3) the complaint is filed and a copy of the summons and complaint in good faith, are placed in the hands of an officer for immediate service, but in this case the statute shall not be tolled longer than 90 days thereafter.” (Emphasis supplied.) CLS 1961, § 600.5856 (Stat Ann 1962 Rev § 27 A.5856).

Plaintiff argues that defendants are wrong in their contention that the general statute of limitations applies in the ease herein presented where the mechanic’s lien act creates a cause of action “conditioned upon the time expressed therein.” Plaintiff relies upon Holland v. Eaton, 373 Mich 34. (4 cases in 1.) In those cases, suits were brought under the dramshop act.² It contains a 2-year period of limitation. The accident occurred February 8,1960, and suit was instituted February 14, 1962, or more than 2 years after the cause accrued. In those cases, the question had to do with certain savings provisions or exceptions (i. e., infancy and refiling after dismissal not on the merits) available under the general statute of limitations in effect at that time. This Court held, among other things, that the “savings provisions” of the general statute of limitations then in effect did not operate to toll the running of the period of limitation contained in the dramshop act. We held that the intent of the legislature in including a time limitation within a statute creating a right of action was to provide that the savings provisions in the general statute of limitations would not apply unless expressly included within the statute creating the right of action, citing Bement v. Grand Rapids & I. R. Co., 194 Mich 64 (LBA1917E, 322), and Bigelow v. Otis, 267 Mich 409.

In order to understand better the significance of Holland v. Eaton, supra, we discuss briefly the two cases principally relied upon in Holland. These cases are Bement and Bigelow, cited above. In Bement, suit was brought under the Federal employer’s liability act for personal injuries more than 2 years after the cause of action accrued. The statute contained a 2-year period of limitation. "When the limitation was interposed as a defense, plaintiff rejoined with the contention that defendant company was estopped from asserting the limitational bar because of fraudulent conduct by defendant. In resolving the question raised by the estoppel plea, this Court made the following distinction:

“A positive distinction seems to be made between cases in which the limitation of time for bringing suit is contained in the statute which creates the liability and right of action and general statutes of limitations of the rights of action existing under other statutes or under the common law. In the former the limitation of time is a limitation of the right, and, as has been said, the suit cannot be maintained if not brought within the time limited. In the latter the limitation of time for bringing suit is a limitation of the remedy only, and it has been held that under such general statutes of limitation the defendant may be estopped from the benefit of the statute by an agreement waiving it, or by concealment or by fraud. The statute here in question creates a new liability, and takes away defenses formerly available, and the right of action therein created is conditioned upon its enforcement within a prescribed period.” (Emphasis supplied.)

In the other case cited in Holland, the case of Bigelow v. Otis, supra, suit for rescission was brought under the blue sky statute more than 2 years after the cause accrued. The principal defense was the 2-year period of limitation contained in the statute. To defendant’s plea, plaintiff replied that the 2-year period of limitation was extended because of defendant’s fraudulent concealment of facts constituting the cause of action and by defendant’s absence from the State. The opinion pointed out that the two savings provisions were found in the general statute of limitations but not in the blue sky statute. We held that the general statute of limitations (p 412) “and the saving provisions therein have no application to a cause of action created by statute and conditioned on time therein expressed.”

Such cases are distinct and distinguishable from the case at bar. W e are not here concerned with the type of “savings provisions” or “exceptions” present in Holland, Bement, and Bigelow, if we are concerned with them at all. In Holland, the “savings provisions” had to do with infancy and the right to refile after dismissal not on the merits. In Bement, it was estoppel based upon fraud, and in Bigelow, fraudulently concealing a cause of action and absence from the State. What is most significant in each ease cited is that plaintiff commenced action after the limitational period contained in the statute creating the cause of action. And in each case, plaintiff asserted matters which, if true, would excuse the late filing and, hence, except plaintiff from the operation of the statute.

But the instant case is different in several important aspects. First, there is the mechanic’s lien act which is a statute creating a right of action and in-eludes a period of limitation therein. The section of the act which sets forth proceedings for enforcing a lien provides that this shall he accomplished “by bill in chancery, under oath, and notice of lis pendens recorded in the office of the register of deeds,” and this being done, it “shall have the effect to continue such lien pending such proceedings.” But, as defendants point out, the statute is silent as to how and when process is to be issued and served and, if not, what happens. For an answer to this, they say reference must be made to the general statute of limitations contained in the revised judicature act quoted above. But before discussing this act, it is better, sequentially, to discuss plaintiff’s position on this point.

Plaintiff says that under the mechanic’s lien act, when a complaint and lis pendens are filed within 1 year, “the case is thereby commenced.” Further, plaintiff says that the “savings provisions,” or “tolling provisions,” of the general statute of limitations do not apply. Thus the implication is clear, although plaintiff stops short of saying it, that once complaint and lis pendens are filed within 1 year, there is nothing in the law which permits the period of limitation to begin to run again, irrespective of when process is served. In general support of this position, plaintiff cites Sheridan v. Cameron, 65 Mich 680, decided upon the mechanic’s lien law as it was in 1885. In that case, a petition was filed to enforce a mechanic’s lien within the then 60-day statutory period. Process was not requested and, hence, not issued at that time, but was issued after expiration of the 60-day period. Attack was made upon the suit to enforce as having been “prosecuted too late and irregularly.” This Court said that the bill or petition is the beginning of suit and that service of process is (p 682) “only a step in the cause. If this were not so,” the Court reasoned, “a mechanic’s lien could never be enforced against an absent defendant who would need to be brought in by publication. The 60 days would elapse before service [could be] legally completed. * * * When the statute required proceedings to be begun within 60 days, it means no more than the filing of the proper bill or petition, leaving-all other questions to be disposed of by the general rules of equity.” The Court permitted the petition to be maintained.

Whatever may be said of the rule enunciated in Sheridan v. Cameron, supra, it is clear that it is no longer the law, insofar as it leaves the issuance and service of process to “the general rules of equity.” Nor was the change all accomplished in the revised judicature act of 1961.⁵ But it would be somewhat pedantic to discuss all of the decisions on this point, when the problem herein presented comes down squarely to the question of whether the provisions of the revised judicature act of 1961 (RJA), more particularly the section quoted in the forepart of this opinion, apply and control in a proceeding to enforce a mechanic’s lien, at least insofar as service of process, or the lack thereof, may toll a period of limitation. We think that it does.

As has been seen, much of the discussion in the Holland, Bement, and Bigelow cases revolves about the effect of the so-called “savings provisions” in the general statute, such as infancy and estoppel for fraud. The phrase “savings provisions” is used in the Michigan opinions interchangeably with “exceptions.”⁶ But in this case, we are not dealing in “exceptions” nor “savings provisions,” except in the most general sense. These terms are of little usefulness in understanding the tolling provisions (as to process) applicable in this case. Therefore, Holland, Bement, and Bigelow, supra, are best understood by reference to the facts in each case, especially as to when suit was commenced. In each case, the suit was commenced after expiration of the period of limitation contained in the statute giving rise to the cause of action. In each case, reliance was placed upon “savings provisions” (infancy, fraud, et cetera) in the general statutes of limitation. In each case, the ruling was approximately the same. This we do not intend to disturb. We do not construe, however, either Holland, Bement, or Bigelow as being decisive of the issue before us.

We do say that the 1-year period of limitation in the mechanic’s lien act is a matter of substance and that said limitation is, therefore, a limitation of the right. Bement v. Grand Rapids & I. R. Co., supra. However, the mechanic’s lien act clearly does not deal with the necessary procedural problem of how process is to be issued and served and, if not, what happens then. One has to look to the general procedural statute, the revised judicature act of 1961 (RJA), for resolution of this problem. Procedural distinctions between law and equity having been abolished, it is clear that the general procedural statute applies to law actions as well as equitable actions. Within the broad sweep of the EJA, therefore, if the rule in Sheridan v. Cameron, supra, (of leaving process questions to “the general rules of equity” in mechanic’s lien proceedings) had not been already abolished by subsequent statutes and demsions, it certainly can no longer be said to exist under the RJA and related court rules (General Court Rules of 1963).

Accordingly, reading the mechanic’s lien act in conjunction with the section of the EJA quoted, as applied to facts in this case, the rule goes this way: proceedings to enforce such lien shall be by complaint, under oath, and notice of lis pendens recorded in the office of the register of deeds, which shall have the effect of continuing such lien pending the proceedings. However, the period of limitation is tolled when the complaint is filed and a copy of the summons and complaint in good faith, are placed in the hands of an officer within the 1-year period of limitation for immediate service, but the statute shall not be tolled longer than 90 days thereafter. To except mechanic’s lien proceedings from the tolling provisions of EJA would only precipitate a hodgepodge of exceptions which would do considerable violence to legislative intent. The legislature intended the EJA to apply to all civil actions and, except in situations where manifestly inapplicable, should be so construed.⁸ Needless to say, nothing in the mechanic’s lien act conflicts with this interpretation. Further, that the particular section in question, the tolling section, was intended to apply in the situation presented may be seen from the committee comment appearing after said section.⁹ Obviously, for the purpose of tolling a period of limitation under the circumstances herein presented, we make no distinction between the general statutes of limitation and particular “periods of limitation” contained in specific statutes creating causes of action.¹⁰

Applying the facts in this case to the rule stated above, we conclude first of all that the BJA which became effective January 1, 1963, applies to this proceeding begun February 28, 1963; that when the action was commenced February 28, 1963, by filing of the complaint, assuming complaint and summons in good faith were placed in the hands of the officer for immediate service and lis pendens was recorded,¹¹ the lien was continued pending the proceedings, subject however to the following: when the action was commenced, it served to toll the 1-year period of limitation contained in the mechanic’s lien act but only for a maximum of 90 days from commencement of the action. Thereafter, the period of limitation started to run again, that is, May 30, 1963. Plaintiff then had the additional time, measured between February 28th and March 19th, or 19 additional days after May 29th in which to make service. Not having made service upon defendants until July 9, 1963, the period of limitation had run against plaintiff. For the reasons given, the trial court was in error in dismissing and striking defendants’ affirmative defense.

The order of the trial court is reversed for the entry of an order consistent with this opinion. Costs to defendants.

O’Hara and Adams, JJ., concurred with Smith, J. Black, J., concurred in result.

1 Effective date of the act was January 1, 1963.

2 Also known as the Michigan civil damage act. CL 1948, § 436.22, as amended by PA 1958, No 152 (Stat Ann 1959 Cum Supp § 18.993).

5 See judicature act of 1915, as amended (CL 1948, § 600.1 et seq. [Stat Ann § 27.1 et seq.]), and Taylor v. Mathews, 224 Mich 133; People’s Mortgage Corporation v. Wilton, 234 Mich 252; Home Savings Bank v. Young, 295 Mich 725; Nathan v. Rupcic, 303 Mich 201; and Korby v. Sasnowski, 339 Mich 705.

6 This may confuse, because the terms have different derivations in the law. To “save” the statute of limitation originally meant to commence one’s action within the statutory period, Black’s Law Dictionary (3d ed), p 1583, while pleas of infancy and estoppel were and are most generally considered “exceptions.” See 34 Am Jur, Limitation of Actions, § 192, p 155; and 54 CJS, Limitations of Actions, § 375, p 509. However, for the purpose of this decision, we need not make a distinction between the 2 expressions.

8 The bench, bar, and people of Michigan are tremendously indebted to the Joint Committee on Michigan Procedural Revision and particularly Professor Charles W. Joiner, chairman, and Mr. Jason L. Honigman, viee-ehairman, for their monumental 3-1/2 years’ work resulting in the revised judicature act of 1961 (RJA) adopted by the legislature, and its companion work, General Court Rules of 1963 (GCR 1963), adopted by this Court, both of which became effective January 1, 1963.

9 “Section [PA 1961, No 236, § 5856 (CLS 1961, § 600.5856 [Stat Ann 1962 Rev § 27A.5856])] is designed to avoid the problems which .have commonly arisen in those jurisdictions lacking such a section, as to precisely at what point the statutes of limitation are tolled. ***

“It is submitted that permitting the determination of when an action is commenced as to toll the statutes of limitations ought not to depend on a particular court’s interpretation of such tenuous words and phrases as ‘intent,’ ‘due course,’ ‘reasonable diligence,’ et cetera. Therefore, the instant section has been included in the statute of limitations in order that the question might be definitely settled without resort to case law.

“The mere aet of filing a eomplaint should not toll the statute, as a matter of policy. The section does not aecept the theory of the case as cited above. It is unrealistic to argue that defendants are put on notice of a lawsuit merely because a public court record exists to that effect. The defendant has a vital interest in being informed of the pendency of an aetion against him. Thus we have sought to enable a plaintiff to avoid the bar of a statute of limitation by taking the proper steps of establishing a court record (filing the complaint) and complying with the requirements of a method reasonably calculated to give defendant notice. At the same time, we have required the plaintiff to proseeute his action diligently by the imposition of a maximum tolling period. The rights of both parties are thus protected. * * *

“The section does not constitute any radical departure from presently accepted principles, but it prescribes a definite procedure to be utilized wherein counsel are informed of the necessary steps which will guarantee the tolling of the statute of limitation. The adoption of this section will greatly increase predictability.

“In summary, a method has been provided whereby a plaintiff, by taking the proper steps, can toll the statute of limitation on his cause of action for a maximum period of 90 days. The establishment of a maximum toll period should eliminate the litigation-provoking questions as to whether or not a plaintiff ‘intended’ to ‘diligently prosecute’ his suit, as bearing on the issue of how long the statute could be tolled by placing a copy of the summons and complaint in good faith in the hands of an officer for service.

“Example: Suppose a two-year statute of limitation. P files a complaint one year and 11 months after the cause of action arose. On the same day a copy of the summons and eomplaint are in good faith placed in the hands of an officer for service. Actual service is made 100 days later. Can D plead the two-year statute as a bar to the action?

“No — the statute was tolled for 90 days when P filed a eomplaint and in good faith placed a copy of the summons and eomplaint in the hands of an officer for service. At the end of the 90-day period, the statute again started to run at this point P still had 30 days in which service could be made (the two-year statute minus one year and 11 months) and service was actually made on the tenth of these 30 days left. If the service had been made 121 days after the filing of the complaint D could have pleaded the statute of limitations as a bar to the action.”

10 For a most comprehensive discussion of general statutes of limitation and of specific limitations within statutes creating causes of aetion, see 63 Harv L Rev 1177. See, also, Committee Notes, PA 1961, No 236, § 5801 (CLS 1961, § 600.5801 [Stat Ann 1962 Rev § 27A.5801]).

11 See PA 1961, No 236, § 2701 (CLS 1961, § 600.2701 [Stat Ann 1962 Rev § 27A.2701]).