Nottonson v. Schierenbeck

On May 21, 1915, the plaintiff procured tire issuance of a free summons returnable on June 2, 1915. On that day, no one appearing for the defendant, the cause was adjourned until June 10th. It appears that defendant’s attorney was notified of this adjournment, and upon the adjourned day he appeared, specially stating to the court:

*662“I appear for the defendant for the purpose of objecting to the jurisdiction of the court, on the ground that no service of the summons or process of any kind has been made, and traverse the return herein.”

The trial justice refused to entertain this appearance, and thereupon defendant’s attorney withdrew, and plaintiff took an inquest, resulting in a judgment in his favor of $500 and costs. Subsequently tire defendant moved to open this default and for leave to traverse the return, basing his motion upon affidavits showing that no service of process had been made. This motion was denied, with leave to renew “if defendant appear and ask leave to defend the motion.” Thereafter the defendant appealed from the judgment and has served affidavits upon plaintiff’s attorney, which are not disputed, showing that process was never served upon her.

It is unnecessary to determine the effect of the appearance by the defendant upon the adjourned day, and upon the motion to open his default, as in neither case was there a general appearance sufficient to confer jurisdiction upon the court. This appeal comes up under the provisions of section 311 of the former Municipal Court Act (Laws 1902, c. 580), which provides for appeals of this character, and the affidavits served and submitted showing without dispute that no summons was ever served upon the defendant, and that the court therefore never acquired jurisdiction over her person, the judgment must be reversed.

Judgment reversed, with $30 costs, and the complaint dismissed, with costs. All concur.