Superior Court of Pennsylvania, 1940

First National Bank v. Carroll Township

First National Bank v. Carroll Township
Superior Court of Pennsylvania · Decided April 16, 1940 · Keller, Cunningham, Baldrige, Stadteeld, Parker, Rhodes, Hirt
13 A.2d 121; 140 Pa. Super. 70; 1940 Pa. Super. LEXIS 416 (Atlantic Reporter, Second Series)

First National Bank v. Carroll Township

Opinion of the Court

Per Curiam,

By the amendment of May 3, 1917, P. L. 149, to section 12 of the Practice Act of 1915, P. L. 483, it was provided, “That counties, cities, boroughs, townships, school districts and other municipalities shall not be required to file an affidavit of defense.” This incorporated into the Practice Act a similar provision of the Act of April 26, 1893, P. L. 26.

In consequence, judgment cannot be entered against *72 a township, or other municipality, for want of a sufficient affidavit of defense: Schjerup v. Upper Merion Twp. Sch. Dist., 130 Pa. Superior Ct. 249, 196 A. 922. If an affidavit of defense is filed by one so exempted, it is regarded as surplusage, and does not deprive the defendant of any immunity enjoyed by it: Morgan v. Debon, 337 Pa. 452, 12 A. 2d 5. See also along similar lines, Corry v. Penna. R. R. Co., 194 Pa. 516, 45 A. 341; Cowan v. Nagel, 89 Pa. Superior Ct. 122.

As the judgment must be reversed on this ground, we shall not consider questions on the merits, which can be better presented after the facts have been elicited on the trial.

Judgment reversed, with a procedendo.

Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.