Walker v. Pinson
Walker v. Pinson
Opinion of the Court
The opinion of the Court was delivered by
The principal inquiry is, whether the plaintiff had a plain and adequate remedy at law. After a delay in the proceedings before the Court of Ordinary and in this Court, which the Chancellor says has been “already pro
The original demand in this case was that of a legatee against an executor for payment of a legacy: a subject peculiarly proper for the cognizance of a Court of Equity. The legatee had, however, invoked the aid of the Ordinary, and, pending the proceeding, Walker and Glenn intervened as assignees of this chose in action. They made a general assignment to the plaintiff for the benefit of their creditors. To carry into effect the decree of June, 1860, by requiring an account and payment, these proceedings were thereupon forthwith instituted. The Chancellor declared himself restrained by the authority of McCulloch vs. Daniel, Harp. Eq. 255. In that case it is worthy of remark that, although the prayer of the bill to enforce the decree was not allowed, the defendant was ordered to account in the Court of Equity for his administration of the testator’s estate. It appeared in the sequel that he rendered an account, and, on such accounting, the bill of the plaintiff was dismissed. The right of the plaintiff to enforce the decree of the Ordinary in a Court of law is commended in the circuit decree upon the ground, as stated by the Chancellor, that, “according to all rule, the judgment of the Ordinary is to be regarded and treated in every other tribunal as conclusive upon the parties.” In McCulloch vs. Daniel this is stated hypothetically. The judgment of the Ordinary, say the Court, “ if conclusive against the defendant, may be enforced by an action at law.” The result, however, demonstrated that such judgment was not regarded as conclusive upon the parties ; and such has
Decree reformed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.