Hunt v. Kline ( 1839 )

Pee Curiam.—

Of the capacity of one partner to bind another in the ordinary course of their copartnership business, there is no doubt. (See Gow, on Part. 56 to 80.) Even an instrument signed by one partner in the name of the firm, and with a seal affixed to it, is binding on all the partners, if done with the assent of the other partners. (Fitchthorn v. Boyer, 5 Watts 159.) So if assent, expressly given to one partner by the firm to confess a judgment, or if the parol assent or knowledge without dissent to that purpose, is ascertained by a jury, the judgment will bind all The latter, however, is a question of fact. But the question here is, whether there is any power in a single partner, ex relatione the contract of partnership simply, to bind the firm by a confession of judgment for a claim not justly due by the firm, as the matter is alleged: i. e. are the other partners ipso facto the confession of the judgment, precluded from being heard. We think not. Where an individual has confessed a judgment, upon a proper prima facie case exhibiting fraud or mistake, the courts of Pennsylvania, adopting the doctrines of equity, and to prevent a failure of justice, if the application is seasonable, will let the defendant into a defence. This arises from the nature of our jurisprudence, in which we have engrafted equity principles on our common law jurisdiction. This being the law in the case of an individual, why should it not be so in the case of a partnership, entitling its members to a just and legal defence? And the doctrine of estoppel does not apply. That doctrine is derived from the making of a deed by a party in his own right, and not from the implied relations of agency or copartnership. Upon this broad ground, therefore, this application is granted. It will be observed by the parties, that the court do not decide any question as to any facts, which may subsequently appear before a jury, and the plaintiff, if he requires it, may have the judgment to stand as a security. But upon the primary case presented, the defendants (Klines) must be let into a defence.

Rule accordingly.^a

a In this case, subsequent to the above decision, on the application of the plaintiff the court wholly vacated the judgment on the ground that it was absolutely void. It is distinguished from the case of Nichols v. Anguera, ante, p. 290.