McMillan v. Lawrence, Smith & Whilden

By the Court.

Lumpkin, J.

delivering the opinion.

The only question in this case is, whether the charge of the Court was right, as to the measure of damages, ivhere the appeal is frivolous and intended for delay ?

The jury were instructed amongst other things, “that if they should believe that the appeal in this case was made for delay only, and that there were no circumstances of mitigation or justification, in the opinion of the Court, they ought to find the highest amount of damages authorized by the: statute.”

In the first place, we hold that the Court has no right to express any opinion to the jury, as to the damages they shouldfind in a particular case. It is purely a question for the jury under the law, free from any influence or control from the Court; and secondly, we are clear that the rule prescribed by the Court in this case was wrong. It amounts to this 5 that in every case, unless the appellant shows something to justify or mitigate the appeal, the jury are bound to find twenty-five per cent, damages, or the maximum assessment under the law.

Suppose, as in this case, no plea is filed, the defendant confesses judgment at the trial Term; appeals at that Term, and submits to a final judgment six months thereafter; and concede if you please, that the appeal was frivolous and intended for delay only; and yet only twelve months intervenes between the docketing of the case and final judgment on the appeal. Will it do to hold, that the amount of damages must necessarily be the same in such a case, as one attended with great aggravation ? As for instance, where sham or pretended defences are interposed, and all the continuances known to the practice of the Courts are exhausted ? We are sure that our learned brother would be the last to maintain such a proposition. Suppose again, that the debt in one case be founded on an open account, not bearing interest, and the other on a note or liquidated demand, other things being equal, ought not the jury to find larger damages in the former case, than the latter? We have no doubt of it, because the loss of interest is one of the injuries suffered by the appeal.

Twenty-five per cent, in addition to the lawful interest, is an exorbitant penalty; and should never be imposed except in extreme cases. Ten is the per cent, allowed for frivolous appeals to this Court, and in assessing damages, the jury should not be restricted in the exercise of their discretion to the facts in proof. They may go out of the record; and take into consideration the condition of the country, the value of 'money and the price of property, and everything which goes to enhance the' worth of money, and give their verdict accordingly, untrammeled by any opinion of the Court respecting the matter. The framers of the Act designedly intrusted its administration and application to the popular branch of the Court, the jury.

This law has stood on the statute book for near sixty years, and has served no doubt a salutary purpose in suppressing frivolous litigation.

The Court should simply charge the jury in the language of the Act itself. “ Gentlemen of the jury, you have heard the appeal. If it shall appear to you that it was frivolous and intended for delay only, then it is your duty to assess ■damages to the plaintiff, who is aggrieved by this delay, for such amount as may seem to you reasonable and just, not exceeding twenty-five per centum on the principal sum, which you shall find due.” — Cobb 495.

What additional charge or charges, the Courts may be compelled to give, under that bill of abominations, that Judge-trap, commonly ycleped the New Trial Act, and very properly so called ; for under its stringent provisions, what case can fail of being sent back for a re-hearing? I repeat, what additional charges may be forced from the Courts, we cannot foresee. But let them keep the words of the Act steadily in view, and they may possibly escape the gins and. snares set for them by the Act of 1854.

Judgment reversed