American Steel & Wire Co. v. Mayer & Englund Co.
American Steel & Wire Co. v. Mayer & Englund Co.
Opinion of the Court
Upon complainant’s motion for an order-dismissing the bill herein, with costs to the defendant to be taxed. It is firmly settled in the federal courts that the complainant has a. right to move to dismiss the bill, paying the taxable costs, except in three instances: (1) When there has been a hearing, or a decree entered ; (2) when the defendant asks or deserves affirmative relief; (3) when the dismissal will deprive the defendant of some substantial right which has accrued since the suit was brought. Exceptions 1 and 2 are-
Let it first be arranged that the defendant’s testimony shall be so placed as to be available in future controversies over the subject-matter between the parties or their privies, and then let the complainant’s motion be granted, without prejudice.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- AMERICAN STEEL & WIRE CO. v. MAYER & ENGLUND CO.
- Cited By
- 7 cases
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- 1. Voluntary Dismissal—Conditions—Perpetuation of Testimony. Where a defendant has expended time and effort in gathering together testimony, he has thereby acquired a substantial right to the-use of such testimony, and may properly insist that, as a condition to-the dismissal of the suit by complainant, he shall be required to consent to an arrangement by which the testimony taken may be perpetuated and used in any future suit between the parties or their privies involving the same subject-matter.