Sterns v. Maguire
Sterns v. Maguire
Opinion of the Court
The defendant Maguire’s motion raises the question whether the suit may be maintained against him in this district. Suit was commenced by filing bill in equity in the clerk’s office. The bill alleges that the plaintiff is a citizen of Illinois and that the defendant Maguire is a citizen of New York, and bases jurisdiction on diversity of citizenship. Subpoena was served onMaguire in this district a few days later.
It is well understood that section 51 of the Judicial Code relates only to venue, that the restriction as to venue imposed by it may be waived by a defendant, and that the restriction is waived by general appearance prior to raising objection to the venue. Interior Construction Co. v. Gibney, 160 U.S. 217, 16 S.Ct. 272, 40 L.Ed. 401; General Investment Co. v. Lake Shore R. Co., 260 U.S. 261, 43 S.Ct. 106, 67 L.Ed. 244; Burnrite Coal Co. v. Riggs, 274 U.S. 208, 47 S.Ct. 578, 71 L.Ed. 1002. On principle it should make no difference that the general appearance was given before the defendant had been given a copy of the bill. The subpoena was served in the usual way. It informed the defendant that a bill in equity brought by the plaintiff against him had been filed, and it notified him that an answer or other defense to the bill was required on or before the twentieth day after service of the subpoena. In suits in equity in the district court the bill need not be served on the defendant; all that is required is that it be filed in the clerk’s office, Equity Rules 12-15, 28 U.S.C.A. following section 723. By service of the subpoena the defendant is put on notice as to the contents of the bill, and unless he gets a copy by courtesy he must go to the clerk’s office and look at the original bill filed there. I am of opinion that the defendant’s general appearance was a waiver of his right to object to the venue.
The defendant relies on Crown Cotton Mills v. Turner, C.C.N.Y., 82 F. 337. That case, however, was an action at law where the action was commenced under New York practice by mere service of a summons without complaint, and where no complaint was on file. The defendant was required to put in an appearance without receiving any notice of what the cause of action was or on what ground the venue was laid. It was held that such a notice of appearance was not a waiver of objection to the venue, the defendant’s ignorance of his rights being due to the plaintiff’s own act. However that may be, the situation is different where the suit is one in equity and where the bill is on file with the court, as the defendant knows if he has read the subpoena served on him.
The motion to quash service of subpoena on the defendant Maguire will be denied.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- STERNS v. MAGUIRE
- Status
- Published