Hallett v. New England Roller Grate Co.

U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit January 7, 1903

Hallett v. New England Roller Grate Co., 119 F. 873 (1st Cir. 1903)

56 C.C.A. 403; 1903 U.S. App. LEXIS 4812

Opinion of the Court

PER CURIAM.

This was an action for money had and received; wherein the plaintiff sought to recover the sum of $3,000 paid by him upon a transaction which was void under the provisions of the Public Statutes of New Hampshire. There was no plea of the statute of limitations, and therefore there was, in our opinion, no question of unreasonable delay in bringing suit. The circuit court, therefore, erred in directing a verdict for the defendant upon the ground of unreasonable delay.

The judgment of the circuit court is reversed, with costs to the plaintiff in error.

Reference

Full Case Name: HALLETT v. NEW ENGLAND ROLLER GRATE CO.
Status: Published
Syllabus: 1. Action fob Money Paid—Laches as Defense. In an action at law for money had and received, to recover a sum paid in a transaction which was void, where limitation is not pleaded as a defense the court is not authorized to direct a verdict for defendant on the ground that there was unreasonable delay in bringing the suit. ¶ 1. See Limitation of Actions, vol. 33, Cent. Dig. § 678.