Rosierz v. Van Dam , 16 Iowa 175 ( 1864 )

Lowe, J.

Legitimately, under tbe case as stated and facts found, two questions only are presented:

First Whether, in a proceeding at law to recover tbe possession of land, an equitable defense may be interposed? and

Secondly. If so, whether the one set up in this case, as to matter and form, is sufficient in equity to bar tbe plaintiff’s recovery?

Tbe first of these questions is answered affirmatively by tbe express language of tbe sixth clause of section 2880 of tbe Revision of 1860, wbicb reads as follows: “Tbe defendant may set forth in bis answer as many causes of defense, set-off, counterclaim, or cross-demand, whether legal or equitable, as be may have. This is substantially tbe provision of tbe New York, Ohio and Kentucky Revised Statutes; and in those states tbe courts, in construing tbe same, have definitely séttled tbe question, that tbe defendant may plead a purely equitable defense to a legal cause of action. Hinman v. Judson, 13 Barb., 629; Dobson v. Pearce, 2 Ker., 166; Foot v. Sprague, 12 How., 355; Hunt v. Farmers' Loan and Trust Company, 18 How., 418; Van Santvoord’s Treat, on tbe principles of pleading in civil actions, under the New York Code of Procedure, 505-509; Hill and Wife v. Butler, 6 Ohio St. R., 207; Richardson v. Bates, 8 Id., 257; Swan’s Plead, and Prac., 257; Jones v. Letcher, 13 B. Monr., 365; Bosley v. Mattingly, 14 Id., 99; Dorsey v. Reese, 14 Id., 157-349 ; Smith v. Maberly, 15 Id., 73; Foster v. Watson, 16 Id., 387; Bates v. Culver, 17 Id., 167.

The general tenor of these authorities is, that the defendant can now avail himself of any equitable defense which was formerly available by an application to a court of chancery, and which we understood to include all matters which would authorize a court of equity to grant relief, against a legal liability, but which, at law, could not have been pleaded in bar. Not only so, but that in an action strictly^, legal, the defendant may have positive or affirmative relief for matter purely equitable, in a casé properly stated, by way of a counterclaim or cross-demand; for instance, in an action to recover real estate, if ¡/the defendant has an equitable title to the land, and has done what is requisite to entitle Mm to a deed, he may, in setting up such equity, ask that his title be perfected by a conveyance; and so also, in such an action the defendant may state in his answer, by way of counterclaim, a contract to convey the real estate, and ask a specific performance. It was evidently the intention of the legislature, that controversies respecting the subject matter of the litigation should be determined in one action; and the provision in regard to equitable defenses in law actions is well adapted to give effect to that intent; for, where is the necessity, or what is the propriety of bringing an action, merely for the purpose of restraining the prosecution of another action in the same court? We cannot overlook the fact, that under our judiciary system, the functions of the courts of common law and of equity, are united in the same tribunal, and we are to suppose that tMs tribunal is just as competent to pass upon the equitable rights of a party, when drawn in question in a law case, as it would, if the same rights or questions were involved in a distinct or separate proceeding on the chancery side of his docket.

It is not, perhaps, essential to extend remarks upon the above clause of the Code, in relation to equitable defenses in law actions. It is plain that the commissioners appointed to draw up the provisions of our new procedure intended that it should be understood and construed according to the exposition herein given, as will quite clearly appear from a comment made on this subject, in their report on the Civil Code, page 343; also in a note appended to 4177 of the Revision of 1860, respecting certain limitations on actions for the recovery of real property, which reads as follows:

“ This would allow an equitable defense, set-off, counterclaim, or cross-demand. So in an action to obtain possession of land, an equitable defense might be made, or a counterclaim or cross-demand, equivalent to the former bill, for specific performance.”

II. In considering the second question proposed, it will be observed that the answer sets up a fact, quite controlling in its character, namely: that by the terms of the contract the defendant was to hold possession, and enjoy the usufruct until final forfeiture, which has not yet occurred. The transaction was simply this: the defendant, Yan Dam, owed the plaintiff $2,000, money borrowed. To secure the payment of this sum, he made a deed of his farm, absolute upon its face, to the plaintiff, and took back from him a defeasance, at the same time, on a separate paper, which being parts of the same transaction, the two papers constitute a mortgage, in equity, as essentially as if the two had been united in a single conditional deed or mortgage, in the usual form; and their rights really are no other than those of ordinary mortgagors and mortgagees.

Whether a deed thus absolute in form, accompanied with a condition of defeasance stipulated and expressed upon a separate paper, but both being parts of one and the same transaction, should be construed as an ordinary mortgage as to its legal effect upon the relative rights of the parties, or otherwise, it is not important for us now to determine. It is enough for our purpose that we find in the writing of defeasance, which had been executed, delivered and made a part of the deed itself, an express stipulation to the effect that the use and possession of the mortgaged premises should remain in the defendant during the time in which the money was to be paid. That time has not yet expired. Now, this fact', set up in the defendant’s answer, is altogether irreconcilable with the plaintiff’s right to recover, and unless it is available to him as a defense to an action at law, he must be turned out of possession, against the plainest principles of j ustice, or be driven by a circuity of action to enforce or protect his acknowledged rights under the contract in a Court of Chancery. But the fact that a Court of Chancery would afford him relief under the circumstances stated, proves the sufficiency of the defense, when set up as such in an action at law, equitable though it be, according to our present theory or system of practice.

In the case of Page v. Cole, 6 Iowa, 153, this Court held that an equitable could not be set up against a legal title. The same principle or rule of practice was followed in the cases of Harmon v. Steinman, 9 Iowa, 112; Farley, Norris & Co. v. Goocher, 11 Id., 570; Abbott v. Chase, 13 Id., 453; Allyn v. Johnson, Id., 604. The first three of these cases arose under the Code of 1851, and the decision made therein, was in harmony with the established rules of practice as they existed under that Code and the old practice. Whether the last two cases arose under the Code of 1851 or the Revision of 1860, we have no means of determining in the absence of the original papers, but if under the latter, the question of the change made therein was not raised or considered by the Court, which simply followed the previous rulings on this subject. But the question is now fairly made in a case arising under the Revision of 1860, which has made many new changes and rules in the administration of remedial justice, and which should be carried out and enforced according to the fair intent of the same. Among these is the provision allowing equitable defenses to be pleaded in ordinary law suits.

With reference to the manner such.defences when made, are to be treated and disposed of, we have to say, that in all such cases, the equitable defense will be preliminary to the plaintiff’s cause of action, and addressed to the court; not involving ordinarily any change of forum, in order to settle the ultimate rights of the parties. Undoubtedly a change of forum would be authorized, when the facts disclosed in the plaintiff’s petition are greatly involved, and in the nature of the redress sought, would properly invoke the equity rather than the law jurisdiction of the court. In such case, if commenced as an ordinary action, a transfer to the equity docket would be ordered, and so, where, the case has been commenced as an equitable suit, and the facts show that it should have been docketed as a law action, the transfer will be ordered. But we suppose in a law action, where an equitable defense is pleaded, it will be an issue to the court, first to be disposed of. If it should turn out to be a sham plea, or unfounded in other respects, the plaintiff’s action will be before the proper tribunal for adjudication. We have already said that tbe same tribunal is clothed with law and equity powers, and we are unable to understand why the court, in its legal capacity, may not try a compound issue of law and equity, as well as it could try the same issue under its chancery jurisdiction. Indeed, a law forum would have this advantage, whilst it possesses the chancery j urisdiction to determine for itself the equitable issue, it would have at its disposal a jury to determine whatever issues of facts may be involved in the law part of the action. It is proper here to remark, that the decision or conclusion arrived at in the case of Sypher v. McHenry, 12 Iowa, 585, is right and fully approved, yet the opinion itself may contain some suggestions in relation to the rule of practice which we have just been discussing, that will not altogether harmonize with the one which we now lay down after more mature deliberation.

For the reasons above stated, we think that the court below did not err in refusing to transfer the cause to the equity docket, because of the equitable defense which had been pleaded, but the error consisted in holding from the facts found, that the defense was insufficient and unavailable to the defendant in a court of law.

■ Under the circumstances of the case, the judgment should have been for the defense, and the same is

Reversed.

Weight, C. J. —

In this case the defendant was fully heard in his equitable defense in the court below, and all question as to whether his motion, to transfer the same to the equity docket, should have been sustained, becomes, therefore, entirely immaterial, and as a consequence, all that is said in the foregoing opinion on this subject, and of the proper practice under the Revision of 1860, might well have been omitted. Deeming its discussion unnecessary, I only wish now to say, that I am not prepared to concur in the views expressed by a majority of the judges taking part in its examination. I had heavy doubts as to the correctness of the position assumed. I have no time to investigate and present at length my reasons for these doubts. The questions are too important, and involve too extended an inquiry, for me, at present, to enter upon their discussion. I thus express my non-concurrence and leave tbe case for further examination when the question shall properly arise.

Cole, J., having .been of counsel, took no part in the determination of this case.