Wells v. Bentley
Wells v. Bentley
Opinion of the Court
The prothonotary’s approval of the bond is required for the creditor’s protection; and it is a common law maxim, that any one may forego a legal advantage given to himself. The creditor did forego the right of approval in this instance, by the very act of suing on the bond as a valid one; and it is immaterial, therefore, whether the act of approval be judicial, or susceptible of performance by a deputy, as it is clear, that the omission of it by the prothonotary or his clerk, or by both, could not be insisted upon as a defeasance, after the bond had done its office in setting the insolvent debtor at large.’ As the certificate of approval is no part of the instrument, the contract is complete without it; and it would be strange if the party bound by it might avoid its obligations, by insist- ’
Judgment reversed, and venire de novo awarded.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.