Ubarri v. Doe
Ubarri v. Doe
Opinion of the Court
delivered tbe following opinion:
This matter comes up on a motion to dismiss defendants and
1. The motion to dismiss is by Keck and others heretofore represented by Doe et al., and seeks the dismissal of the succession of Pablo Ubarri on the ground that, having no interest except as warrantors, they are improperly joined as defendants. There is unquestionably some uncertainty in the matter, due to the fact that the Civil Code provides under § 354 for an acción reivindicatoria, which is ordinarily translated ejectment, but is also of the nature of detinue, inasmuch as it applies to all property, whether real or personal, — a distinction which does not prevail in the Civil Daw. The Civil Code does not give the elements or features of this action, and the Code of Civil Procedure, which is adopted from common law states, while it does not use the word “ejectment,” but the words “action for the recovery of real property,” is based upon common-law principles. The action is indifferently spoken of as revindication or ejectment, according to the language used, and there seems to be little difference between them. The essentials are: (1) That plaintiffs are the owners of the property in question; (2) an exact description; (3) and possession by defendant. Siervas de Maria v. May, 17 D. P. R. 726. The Civil Code, §§ 1385, 1386, provides how a defendant vendee shall notify his vend
2. The same original defendants filed a demurrer setting up several alleged defects. The misjoinder of parties defendant has already been disposed of in connection with the foregoing motion. The joinder of the other cotenants as joint parties defendant complained of seems to be improper. It might well be that in a suit in equity all parties in interest should be joined, but this is not brought as a suit in equity, and the more classes of defendants there are the greater chance of confusion on the part of the jury. The theory of common-law pleading has always been to narrow the issues down to one or more simple points upon which twelve men may be supposed to agree. The broadening of the law admits of more issues, but the same principle is to be applied. The demurrer must be sustained as to the joinder of Miguel Asencion Ubarri y Casals.
• 3. The complaint sues for the recovery of land, rents, and
Other points are raised in the demurrer relative to prescription and tbe like which would seem to 'have been already passed upon in effect in different applications, and need not be considered.
To the extent above indicated, therefore, the demurrer is sustained ; otherwise it is overruled.
It is so ordered.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- UBARRI v. JNO. DOE
- Status
- Published