California Supreme Court, 1877

Babcock v. Briggs

Babcock v. Briggs
California Supreme Court · Decided July 1, 1877
52 Cal. 502

Babcock v. Briggs

Opinion of the Court

Injured party may waive tort, and sue in assumpsit. (Fratt v. Clark, 12 Cal. 90; Roberts v. Fvans, 43 Cal. 382; Tuite v. Wakelee, 19 Cal. 692; Caussidiere v. Beers, 2 Keyes, 198; Civil Code, sec. 1621.)

Cope & Boyd, for Respondents.

The action is not upon a contract within the meaning of the statute. (Code of Civil Procedure, secs. 537, 538.) The gravamen of the action is a tort—a wrongful conversion of the property and money of the plaintiffs. There is no allegation of any promise or undertaking on the part of the defendants, and the idea of a contract is expressly negatived by the averments of the complaint.

By the Court :

The facts stated in the complaint do not make a case which would support a writ of attachment under the provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure.

Order affirmed. Remittitur forthwith.

Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.