Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 1796

Commissioners of Philadelphia County v. Snowden

Commissioners of Philadelphia County v. Snowden
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania · Decided September 15, 1796
2 Yeates 95

Commissioners of Philadelphia County v. Snowden

Opinion of the Court

By the Court.

There seems no reason for the doubt, if the parties consent to the submission. In accounts of a long standing, depending on a great variety of facts, it is almost impossible to do complete justice by a jury trial, and we have frequently experienced the necessity of references, after the court have delivered their sentiments on particular points of law. The defalcation act of 1705, declares β€œthe award of referees mutually chosen and approved of by the court, to have the same effect, and to be as available in law as a verdict given by twelve men.” Express negative words appear necessary to oust courts of justice from making such rules of court, in matters of mere account, where the parties consent to a reference.

Referees appointed.

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