National Union Fire Insurance v. Martin

Bronson, J. This is an appeal from a judgment in the district court of Rolette county rendered June 28, 1917, against the defendant for $624.95. Thereafter on March 12, 1918, the trial court made an Order reducing such judgment in the sum of $140.40, permitting the balance of the judgment to stand and the lien thereof as of June 28, 1917. The appeal herein was made on the 17th day of June, 1918. The respondent has made a motion to dismiss the appeal for lack of jurisdiction, through failure to appeal within the statutory time prescribed. On June 28, 1917, the attorney for the respondent mailed to the appellant a copy of the findings of fact, conclusions of law, order for judgment, the judgment, statement of judgment and costs, and notice of retaxation of costs; and in response the attorney for respondent received from the appellant on July 2, 1917, a letter referring to the findings of fact and conclusions by which judgment was awarded against him, and stating that he intended to appeal such case. • The appellant contends that no written notice was given of the entry [395] of such judgment as required by §§ 7678 and 7820, Compiled Laws 1913. The simple questions involved are: (1) Was proper notice given of the entry of such judgment so as to put in operation the statutory provisions concerning the time in which an appeal must be made ? (2) Was the appeal herein made within six months after such notice was •served ? In the case of Keogh v. Snow, 9 N. D. 458, 83 N. W. 864, this court held that an order denying a motion to vacate a judgment, served upon the appellant by copy, -constituted written notice of the order. Upon the same reasoning, the service of a true and correct copy of the judgment entered and the other papers above enumerated is a compliance with the requirements of §§ 7678 and 7820, Compiled Laws 1913. The judgment as modified dated from June 28, 1917, in accordance with the specific order of the trial court. The statute which limits the time for an appeal is mandatory and jurisdictional. Stierlen v. Stierlen, 8 N. D. 297, 78 N. W. 990. The appeal, therefore, was taken too late to confer any jurisdiction upon this court to consider the same, except for purposes of dismissal. Barnett v. Will, 39 N. D. 51, 166 N. W. 511; Comp. Laws 1913, § 7820. The appeal is dismissed, with costs to appellant.