Watson v. Delano , 86 Me. 508 ( 1894 )

Strout, J.

This suit ivas originally brought against the defendant as administratrix of Moses L. Hamilton, and entered at the December term, 1890. By amendment at the September term, 1891, it ivas changed to a suit against her as executrix de son tort. At the December term, 1891, defendant, by plea puis darrein continuance, set up the defense that, in November, 1891, she had been legally appointed administratrix of said Hamilton. The plea Avas informal, and on special demurrer was adjudged bad, at the March term, 1892. Defendant had leave to plead over on payment of costs since demurrer was filed, and accordingly, at the same term, pleaded the general issue, and by brief statement alleged the same matter in bar of the further prosecution of the suit. Thereupon plaintiff discontinued the suit, and claimed and was allowed costs up to the time of the discontinuance. The defendant claimed that she was entitled to costs as the prevailing party. The question is, which party is entitled to costs?

In suits at law, costs are regulated entirely by statute. B. S., c. 82, § 117, provides that, "in all actions the prevailing party recovers costs, unless othenvise specially provided.” We find no statute which provides otherwise in a case like this. The defendant denied any cause of action against the estate of Hamilton, and nothing appears to show that any existed other than bringing the suit. Without any trial of decision upon the merits of the case, plaintiff voluntarily discontinued the suit and judgment went against him by his desire. In such case the defendant must be regarded as the prevailing party under the statute, and as such entitled to recover costs, and not liable to pay them. Bates v. Ward, 49 Maine, 87 ; Foster v. Buffum, 20 Maine, 124.

The case of Leavitt v. School District, 78 Maine, 574, is not inconsistent with this view. In that case, which was. a real action, it was agreed that at the time of the commencement of the suit, the plaintiff had title to the lot demanded, but pending the action, the defendant acquired title to the lot, for a school house, by proceedings under the statute, and pleaded such title puis darrein continuance, and the court held such acquired title of defendant to bar the further prosecution of the action, and that plaintiff' should recover costs to the time of filing the plea, and the defendant costs subsequently accruing.

Exceptions sustained. Costs for defendant.