Barnes v. . Easton

Mebkimon, J., (after stating the case). The application by the appellant to the Judge at Chambers for the writ of recordari, as a substitute for an appeal from the judgment of a justice of the peace, and for the writ of supersedeas in that connection, was made upon notice to the appellees, and in strict observance of Rule 13 of the Rules of Practice prescribed by this Court, regulating the practice in the Superior Courts in such matters. (See Rule 13, 92 N. C., 854.) This rule, among other things, provides, that “ The petition (in such applications) shall be verified, and the writ may be granted with or without notice; if with notice, the petition shall be heard upon answer thereto duly verified, and upon affidavits and other evidence offered by the parties, and the decision thereupon shall be final, subject to appeal, as in other cases.” This provision is applicable to this case. *118 The appellees, for some reason — negligently, so far as appears — failed to appear before the Judge in pursuance of the notice to them- and oppose the application, and the Court proceeded regularly to hear it upon its merits, as the same appeai’ed, and gave his “decision thereupon,” requiring proper undertakings of the petitioner, as required by the statute. (The Code, §545,) and directing the writs to issue ac cording to law. It was not essential to the validity of the application and proceedings therein, that the appellees should have appeared and opposed it. They had the right to refuse or neglect to do so, but they did so at their peril, as to what the Court might adjudge in that behalf. The decision of the Judge upon the application was final as to it, in the absence of an appeal or a substitute for the same. When the writs granted were executed and returned with the proceedings and judgment of the justice of the peace in the action before him, the latter was in the Superior Court to be heard and tried there, just as if an appeal had been regularly taken from the judgment of the justice of the peace. The writ of recordari was a substitute for the appeal which had been'lost. The Court, therefore, erred in rehearing the application for the writ of recordari, and dismissing it. A.s the application was thus at an end, if the appellees had amr cause, as that notice was not served upon them although it appeared to be, accident, fraud, or the like, as against it, of which they could avail themselves, they should have proceeded by petition, setting forth such causes, and had the same heard. This was not done — the Court proceeded to rehear, as if no decision had been made. This was very irregular, and as the appellants interposed their objections in apt time, they are entitled to have the order dismissing their application, and as a consequence, the action in the Superior Court, reversed, so that the case will stand for trial as if the order had not been made. *119 The rule of practice mentioned and cited above, was adopted in order to simplify and expedite the course of procedure and practice in such matters as it refers to. It is not in conflict with any statute, nor was it and other like rules made officiously. They are operative, and must be observed when they apply, unless there shall be some concurrent remedy invoked. The authority of this Court to make such rules is expressly conferred by the statute, (The Code, §961,) and it has been exercised from time to time ever since the Court has been established. The first statute was enacted in 1818. Perry v. Morris, 65 N. C., 221; Rencher v. Anderson, 93 N. C., 105. The view wo have taken of the grounds of error assigned, renders it unnecessary that we examine into the merits of the application of the appellant. Those were determined by the Judge at Chambers. Let this opinion be certified to the Superior Court, to the end that further proceedings may be had in the action according to law. It is so ordered. No error. Affirmed.