Battle v. . Mercer

Stacy, J. Tbe circumstances of tbis case bave caused a most critical and searching examination of tbe petition to rehear. It is tbe policy of our law to give every litigant full and ample opportunity to be beard. Tbis tbe petitioning defendants bave bad in tbe instant suit; and if they bave lost any rights, it must be attributed to their own laches and want of attention in looking after their case. Tbe adjective law is not to be enforced harshly or oppressively, but rather in a spirit of liberality, to tbe end tbat justice may be administered in all cases. But tbis does not mean tbat procedural statutes will be construed by tbe courts in a manner so as to favor tbe negligent and penalize tbe diligent party. Yigilantibus et non dormientibus subvenit lex: “Tbe law comes to tbe assistance of tbe diligent, and not to those who sleep upon their rights.” When litigants resort to tbe judiciary for tbe settlement of their dis *117 putes they are invoking a public agency, and they should not forget that rules of procedure are necessary, and must be observed, in. order to enable the courts properly to discharge their duties. There are no sufficient facts and circumstances appearing in the original case or in the petition to rehear to warrant a reasonable assurance that the petitioning defendants would secure any substantial relief even if the petition were allowed. Nothing on the record was overlooked when the case was originally heard. The petition to rehear must be denied.