Lewis v. Davis
Lewis v. Davis
Opinion of the Court
..OPINION of the Court, by
-Ua- vis brought an action of covenant, on a joint and sere-
The only necessary inquiry in this cause is, whether Davis proceeded correctly in dismissing his suit against Carter, and taking judgment against Lewis. In a joint action, on a joint or joint and several obligation, the plaintiff sueing in the county where either of the defendants reside, may have a writ issued directed, to the sheriff of the county where any other defendant resides, and proceed as if all of the defendants resided, in the same county. But in actions on several obligations, writs cannot issue directed to any other county than that in which it issues. The obligee in, a joint and several obligation, may prosecute several actions against each of the obligors, or a, joint action against the whole. When he elects to sue severally, the proceedings in every respect should be had as on a several obligation; and the residence of one obligor cannot give the court jurisdiction as to another. In actions, on joint obligations, the plaintiff cannot dismiss his suit as to one, and' proceed to judgment against another. Whenever an obligee in a joint and several obligation, prosecutes a. joint action, he should be compelled to proceed as in actions on joint obligations only ; or upon his waiving to proceed jointly, and proceeds in his action against one only, he should thereby subject himself, to the rules, applicable to actions on several obligations.
Had Davis brought suit against Lewis in a several action, it is manifest the Jefferson circuit court could not have entertained jurisdiction of ⅛⅜ cause. His, having commenced a joint action, against Carter and
• We think therefore, that the circuit court of Jefferson had no jurisdiction to proceed further in the cause after Davis dismissed his action against Carter. ⅞ ^ Judgment reversed, &c,
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.