Fisher v. Emerson

Per Curiam. This action was brought to enjoin defendant from constructing a fence upon a right of way alleged to belong to the plaintiffs, and that plaintiffs be decreed to have free use of such right of way. An order to show cause why an injunction should not issue, restraining the defendant from the acts complained of, was issued, and made returnable July 7, 1896. The cause came on regularly for hearing upon the order to show cause on the day set for said hearing, and upon the complaint and answer in the case. A trial was had, witnesses sworn and examined on behalf of both parties, documentary evidence was introduced by plaintiffs and defendant, and the cause, on complaint, answer, and evidence, was duly submitted to the court for its decision, and was by the court taken under advisement. The plaintiff at the commencement of the hearing objected to have the hearing stand as a final hearing of the cause, but the court made no order on that objection. On the 16th day of July, 1896, the court, being duly advised, made and left with the clerk, and ordered filed, its decision and findings in writing, in due form, finding all the material facts in favor of the defendant and against the plaintiffs, and also filed the following conclusions of law: “(1) As conclusions of law from the foregoing facts, the court now hereby finds and decides that the plaintiffs are not entitled to an injunction against the defendant, enjoining and restraining her from erecting the fence described in finding of fact No. 4. (2) That the defendant is entitled to have a restraining order issued in this cause on the 26th day of June, 1896, dissolved. (3) That the plaintiffs are not entitled to have said restraining order. (4) That the plaintiffs are not entitled to have an injunction in this action, and the defends nt is entitled to recover of the plaintiffs her costs [520] incurred in this action.” Tbe findings and conclusions were left by tbe court with tbe, clerk for'filing, but were not filed until October 10, 1896, wben a nunc pro tunc order was made to file them as of July 16, 1896; tbe clerk’s costs for filing tbe same not having been paid, through mistake. On July 21, 1896, tbe cause was again called for final bearing on tbe merits. Tbe defendant objected to proceeding with tbe said trial on tbe ground that tbe court bad no authority or jurisdiction to retry said cause, because of tbe trial on July 7, and tbe findings of fact of July 16, 1896; tbe same not having been set aside, o*r a new trial granted. Tbe objection was overruled, and tbe trial was proceeded with, under objection and exception by defendant. Upon this trial, findings, conclusions, and judgment were rendered in favor of tbe plaintiffs and tbe injunction prayed for awarded. Defendant appeals from this judgment, and alleges that ttíe court erred in proceeding with tbe trial anew on July 21, and making its findings and judgment, because of the trial before tbe court of July 7, 1896, and tbe findings and conclusions found in favor of tbe defendant, and that the same bad not-been set aside or a new trial granted at any time. Tbe findings and conclusions of law upon each bearing were entirely antagonistic and contradictory. Upon tbe first bearing tbe injunction was denied, and costs awarded to defendant. Without setting aside tbe findings, and without any motion or order for a new trial, tbe court, under objection, proceeded to a rehearing of tbe cause, and came to an opposite conclusion from that reached at tbe first bearing. Wben the court left tbe findings of fact and conclusions of law with the clerk, on July 16th, and ordered them filed, they were just as effectually filed as though tbe clerk bad placed bis filing mark upon them. [521] This is emphasized by the fact that subsequently the court ordered the findings and conclusions of the first hearing filed as of July 16, 1896. Section 3379, Comp. Laws Utah 1888, does not make it the duty of the prevailing party to file the decision in any case. This duty devolves upon the court. Section 141, p. 559, Sess. Laws 1896, requires the clerk to collect $7.50 in advance, from the party commencing any action, when an injunction is asked, for services up to the time of the trial, and $2.50 for the trial of the case, including the entry of judgment. The making and filing of the findings and conclusions was a part of, and must precede the entry of, the judgment. The fee for filing should be included in the trial fee. As appears from the record, a trial of the case was had on July 7 and 8,1896, upon the complaint and answer. Witnesses were sworn and examined on behalf of both parties, and documentary evidence was introduced. The case was submitted to the court for its decision on the order to show cause, the complaint, answer, and evidence, and the same taken under advisement. On the 16th day of July, 1896, the court made, and left with the clerk, and ordered filed, its findings and conclusions, thereby determining and deciding all and the only question of fact put-in 'issue by the pleadings in favor of the defendant, with costs against the plaintiffs. When the written findings and conclusions were filed, the trial was ended. There remained nothing further to be done except the entry of the judgment, which would not constitute any part of the trial. After the court heard the cause on the merits, — op the complaint, answer, and testimony, — and the same was submitted for its decision, and it made its finding of fact and conclusions of law denying the injunction prayed for, it had no power or authority to retry the case and hear other testimony, or make other findings of fact con [522] trary to those found upon the first hearing, without a motion for a new trial, or without first setting aside the findings of fact and granting a new trial. Hayne, New Trial & App. §§ 246, 247; Hidden v. Jordan, 28 Cal. 305; Prince v. Lynch, 38 Cal. 528; Crim v. Kessing, 89 Cal. 478. The respondent was not prevented from filing a motion for a new trial upon the findings before judgment was rendered. A new trial is a re-examination of the issues of fact, and has nothing to do with the judgment, which is a sentence of the law upon the facts. Proceedings for a new trial may be commenced either before or after the entry of judgment. A motion for a new trial was a proper method for reviewing the testimony and findings upon the first hearing. No proceeding having been taken for a new trial, or to set aside the findings, it was irregular to proceed to a rehearing of the case at a subsequent date. Hayne, New Trial & App. §§ 16, 1; Comp. Laws Utah 1888, § 3402, subd. 1; Ketchum v. Crippen, 31 Cal. 366. The judgment appealed from is reversed, and the court is directed to set aside the findings of fact and conclusions of law made and filed September 10, 1896, and to enter judgment on the findings of fact and conclusions of law made and filed July 16, 1896.