Gunter v. Mason

The appeal in this case is taken from a judgment by default rendered by the circuit court. The action is in assumpsit, 'and the amount claimed is twenty-five dollars. It appears from the record that the suit was commenced in the justice court. We gather this from the certified transcript by the justice of the proceedings had in the justice court, which appears in the record before us. There is nothing to show how the cause got from the justice court into the circuit court — -no appeal bond, no certificate of appeal by the justice — the only thing appearing is the transcript of the proceedings in the justice court, and this does not show by whom the appeal was taken from the justice court to the circuit court, nor in fact that any appeal was taken by any one. There is absolutely nothing to show that the circuit court ever acquired jurisdiction, as it could only acquire jurisdiction by an appeal. It is stated by counsel for appel*646lee in his brief that the appeal was taken from the justice court by the ’defendant, and further that at the first term of the circuit court after the appeal, both parties appeared and the cause was continued, but there is nothing in the record before us to show any such state of facts. It is insisted by counsel for appellant that the circuit court was without jurisdiction, and we agree with him in this contention. The amount being below the jurisdiction of the circuit court that court could only acquire jurisdiction of the subject matter, by an appeal to that court from the justice court. It follows that the judgment of the circuit court was coram non judice. There being no valid judgment to support the appeal, this court will eso mero motu dismiss the appeal.

Appeal dismissed.