Aiken v. Quartz Rock Mariposa Gold Mining Co.

California Supreme Court
Aiken v. Quartz Rock Mariposa Gold Mining Co., 6 Cal. 186 (Cal. 1856)
Terry

Aiken v. Quartz Rock Mariposa Gold Mining Co.

Opinion of the Court

The opinion of the Court was delivered by Mr. Justice Terry.

Mr. Chief Justice Murray concurred.

This was an action against a corporation, by its corporate name. The sheriff's return shows that the summons was served on “ defendant, Waddell, yho was in possession of the property;” the name of Waddell is not mentioned in the complaint, and it does not appear how he became a defendant, or of what property he was in possession.

The 29th section of the Practice Act provides that if the suit be against a corporation, the summons shall be served on the president, secretary, cashier, or managing agent thereof.” As Waddell was not shown to be one of the officers named, the judgment by default was *187improperly entered, and is reversed with costs, and cause remanded for further proceedings.

Reference

Full Case Name
AIKEN v. THE QUARTZ ROCK MARIPOSA GOLD MINING COMPANY
Cited By
7 cases
Status
Published
Syllabus
In a suit against a corporation, the summons must he served on one of the officers or agents named in the Practice Act. Service on a party in possession of the property, who does not appear to he one of the officers named, will not entitle the plaintiff to a judgment hy default.