Throckmorton v. Stout
Throckmorton v. Stout
Opinion of the Court
It appears from the record, that two
The decree itself was regular on its face, and was made with due notice to the defendants, and they both appeared to the suit by their attorney. It would undoubtedly introduce great confusion and uncertainty into the administration of justice, if this court should sanction the proceedings of the District Court in this case. Parties would never know when there was to be an end of litigation — they would never know when their rights were secure — if, at a year’s interval — after two terms of court have intervened — the defendants can be permitted to come into court, and without any cause shown, upon a mere motion, and without notice to the other party, have a decree entered against them set aside, and the cause re-opened for new testimony and a new trial. There is no precedent for any such proceeding. When the plaintiff had obtained his decree, he had a right to suppose the proceedings ended, and he was no longer in court, unless regularly notified that an application Avas made to set aside the decree and grant a rehearing, on petition and notice, according to the regular course of chancery proceeding. Radley v. Shaver, 1 Johns. Ch. 200 ; Bennett v. Winter, 2 Ib. 205.
The order of the District Court setting aside the decree, and opening the cause for rehearing, is annulled, and the decree originally entered, ordered to stand in full force.
Weight, 0. J., having been of counsel, took no part in the determination of this cause.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Throckmorton v. Stout and Devin
- Status
- Published