State ex rel. Lambert v. Armentrout
State ex rel. Lambert v. Armentrout
Opinion of the Court
The subject of controversy in this case arises out of the same cases heretofore in this court: Lambert v. Armentrout, 65 W. Va. 375; and Armentrout v. Armentrout, 70 W. Va. 661. In the case reported in 70 W. Va. 661, this court affirmed the decree of the circuit cour.t dissolving the injunction, but reversed the decree in part with costs to the appellant. This is
The injunction was dissolved, and plaintiffs in the case at bar would be entitled, by the terms of the bond, to recover “any costs and damages to which they may be put by reason of the award and granting of this order (the order according to the injunction), also all such costs, fees and damages as may be awarded against them in case said injunction is dissolved”. The plaintiffs filed the following bill of particulars upon which they claim judgment:
“Fees J. ¥m.' Harmon Attorney on Injunction suit
Circuit Court.$ 60.00
Same fees in same cause Supreme Court. 101.75
Fees W. E. Baker Attorney in injunction case Circuit Court . 25.00
Same fees Supreme Court. 50.00
Paid W. S. Byan printing brief. 20.80
Costs paid by L. D. Lambert Supreme Court.. 209.40
Plaintiffs’ costs in law case adjudged in Chancery
Cause. 227.11
Defendant’s costs recovered in Chancery Cause.... 68.00
L. D. Lambert, time and expenses. 46.55
B. E. Lee Armentrout time and expenses. 25.00
Expenses and time J. W. Armentrout coming to Elkins for B. E. Lee Armentrout attending taking depositions Dr. Holt, etc. 6.70
Total. $840.31”
The defendants demurred to the declaration; the demurrer was overruled; defendants pleaded nil debet, and issue was thereupon joined. The defendants also moved the court to reject the plaintiffs’ bill of particulars; which motion was sustained as to the items of $46.55, time and expenses of L. D. Lambert; $25.00, time and expenses of B. E. Lee Armentrout; and $6.70, expenses of J. W. Armentrout. The motion was overruled as to the other items. The defendants then tendered a special plea contesting, for reasons therein
It is very plain that the plaintiffs can not recover for the costs of the appeal case in the supreme court, — $321.42. The costs in that case were decreed against them. And for the same reason they can not recover for the sum of $101.75, paid their attorney, J. Wm. Harmon, and the $50.00, paid their attorney, W. E. Baker, for services in the supreme court, nor for the item of $20.80, paid W. S. Byan for printing brief in that case; nor can they recover for the sum of $227.11, the plaintiffs ’ costs in their action at law, allowed in the chancery cause. The order of the circuit court decreeing payment of Lambert’s claim as costs was erroneous, and was reversed by the supreme court; and pending that appeal, the action at law was dismissed satisfied. The costs in that case are not costs awarded plaintiffs by any valid order, nor are they chargeable as damages in the injunction suit. The same may be ,§aid as to the item of $46.55 for time and expenses of L. D. Lambert; the $25.00 for time and expenses of B. E. Lee Armentrout; and the $6.70 for time and expenses of J. W. Armentrout. The evidence in relation to these items was properly excluded.
After excluding the foregoing items, there remain the items of $60.00 paid J. W. Harmon, attorney in the injunction suit in the circuit court; $25.00 paid W. E. Baker in the injunction suit in the circuit court; and $68.00 as costs adjudged the plaintiffs in the chancery suit in the circuit court.
Whether or not the plaintiffs may recover for these last named items, depends on the object of the chancery suit and the relation of the injunction thereto. In resistance of these claims it is contended that the injunction was only ancillary in its nature; that the primary object of the chancery suit was more than mere delay of the action at law. True, the chancery cause sought to defeat the collection of the note sued upon, but no affirmative relief was asked. The plaintiffs in
The item of $68.00 was for costs awarded the defendants in the chancery cause, and the plaintiffs in this suit should have been permitted to offer proof as to this item. The items of $60.00 for counsel fees to J. ¥m. Harmon, and of $25.00 to W. B. Baker may be.proper charges, and the court should have admitted proof as to them. It is now well settled in this State that “reasonable counsel fees may be included in estimating the damages in an action on an injunction bond, when the injunction has been improperly or wrongfully sued but,
For these reasons we are of opinion that the circuit court erred in refusing to admit the plaintiffs’ evidence in relation to the item of $68.00 for costs in the chancery cause, and the items for money paid or to be paid for counsel fees, to go to the jury; and for these reasons the verdict of the jury must be set aside, the judgment thereon for the defendant reversed, and a new trial awarded to the plaintiffs; and this cause is remanded to the circuit court of Randolph County for further proceedings to be had therein in accordance with the principles herein stated. *
Reversed and remanded.
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