Bowne v. Johnson ( 1843 )

Felch, J.

delivered the opinion of the Court.

The right of appeal in this case is not claimed under any other clause of the statute, (S. L. 1841, p. 107, § 94,) except that providing for appeals from any final judgment of a justice of the peace.

Was the judgment in this case a final judgment within the meaning of the statute ?

A judgment of nonsuit is a final disposition of the suit in which it is entered, but it does not ordinarily bar a subsequent suit for the same cause of action ; it is not a final disposition of the subject matter in litigation. In examining the books, it willbe found that the term final judgment is sometimes used to signify a final disposition of the particular suit, and sometimes a final determination of all litigation on the subject matter thereof.

The judgment in this case, however, was simply on the failure of the plaintiff to appear and prosecute his suit. The legal effect of such failure on his part, was an abandonment of his suit, which operated as a discontinuance of the action by the voluntary act of the party. The justice was authorized to enter the discontinuance of the suit, and thereupon to render judgment against him for costs ; and whether the entry of nonsuit be technically correct or not, the Court will look at the nature of the proceedings, and give to the transaction its legal effect. The People v. Schoharie Common Pleas, 2 Wend. R. 260; Relyea v. Ransay, ib. 602; The People v. Whaley, 6 Cow. R. 661; Sprague et al. v. Shed, 9 John. R. 140; Hubbard v. Spencer, 15 John. R. 244.

We cannot think that a judgment thus entered on the voluntary abandonment of his suit by a plaintiff before a justice, is such a final judgment as is contemplated by the statute. The remedy by appeal is given to the party “conceiving himself injured, or aggrieved by such judgment.” But how can he be injured or aggrieved, who voluntarily discontinues his suit, and, of his own accord, subjects himself to the legal consequence — a judgment against him for costs ?

A question under similar law was decided in the Supreme Court of the United States, in Evans v. Phillips, 4 Wheat. R. 73. The judiciary act of 1759, provides for a review, on error, of “ final judgments and decrees,” in the Circuit Courts, The Supreme Court dismissed the writ of error, on the ground that the plaintiff had submitted to a nonsuit in the Court below, in which case no writ of error would lie.

It is the opinion of the Court, that the motion to quash the appeal, should be granted by the Circuit Court.

Certified accordingly.