Homer v. Brainerd
Homer v. Brainerd
Opinion of the Court
The opinion of the Court was drawn up by
The statute provides, that “when the adverse party is not present at the taking of such deposition, the Justice taking the same, shall certify, that he was duly notified.” Stat. of 1821, c. 85, § 2. It cannot have been the intention, that the Justice should so certify, when notice had not in fact been given, and this language must be regarded as directory. In the case of Barnes v. Ball & al. the deposition was objected to because it did not appear by the certificate of the magistrate, that the adverse party or his attorney was present. Parol evidence was offered to prove that fact, but it was not admitted, and the deposition was excluded. In the case of Minot v. Bridgewater, the magistrate had certified, that notice had been given ; but the notice being produced did not contain the name of the deponent; the deposition having been admitted by the presiding Judge, the Court granted a new trial, holding the certificate of the magistrate not to be conclusive.
Exceptions overruled.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- William F. Homer & al. v. James M. Brainerd
- Status
- Published