Elkin's Heirs v. Berry
Elkin's Heirs v. Berry
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the court.
On a suggestion to the court below, that N. Cox had died, and that his estate had been declared insolvent, and directed to be administered on by a syndic, a.rule was taken on J. Berry as surety on an appeal bond, to show cause why
Courts of Probate are of limited jurisdiction ; their powers are specially defined in article 924; and article 925 provides that they shall have no jurisdiction, except in the cases enumerated in the preceding article, &c. Nothing in that article, or any other part of the code, can give them cognizance of a case of this kind. This is a general action, in which the defendant is entitled to all the rights and privileges secured to suitors by the general provisions of the Code of Practice. Some of those rights cannot be extended to them in the Court of Probates, from the very nature of its organization. It might be said that article 596, provides a summary proceeding by which judgment can be obtained against sureties on an appeal bond, in the very court from which an appeal has been taken; and that, thereby, jurisdiction is given to the Court of Probates, quo ad hoc. This provision, we think, should be understood as applying, only to courts of ordinary jurisdiction. To extend it to Courts of Probate, would be to enlarge their powers by implication; a thing which we are not prepared to do. When an adequate remedy can be obtained in the ordinary courts, by an action on the appeal bond, it is essential that courts of limited jurisdiction should move within the circle chalked out to them by law. In cases of doubt, we would be more inclined to restrain than extend their powers.
It is, therefore, ordered, that the judgment of the Court of Probates be affirmed, with costs.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- ELKIN'S HEIRS v. BERRY
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- Published