Woods v. Wark , 235 Mich. 90 ( 1926 )

The Voight heirs own the southeast corner of Griswold and Larned streets in Detroit. On November 1, 1921, Bruce H. Wark leased it for 99 years. On August 24, 1922, Wark leased it to plaintiff Woods for the balance of the term. Early in 1925 Wark and Woods were at variance as to how much Woods was owing on the lease. On April 2, 1925, the Voight heirs commenced suit before Circuit Court Commissioner Nicol for possession. The return day was April 7th. It was adjourned on that day to April 14th. On April 7th, Wark, in turn, commenced suit before Circuit Court Commissioner May against Woods, the plaintiff herein, for possession of the premises for nonpayment of rent. This cause was adjourned by agreement to April 14th, the same date as the other case had been set for. On April 14th Woods filed a bill for an accounting in the circuit court and obtained an injunction inhibiting the Voight heirs and Wark from proceeding with their cases before the commissioner. Following this both cases before the circuit court commissioners were adjourned to April 21st. On April 21st neither party was present in the case of Wark v. Woods. No one appearing, Commissioner May dismissed the case and made a notation on his files "Dis." Nothing further was done until May 5th when the injunction was dissolved. The Voight heirs then took judgment of restitution before Commissioner Nicol, and had the rent verified by the court. Immediately thereafter the case of Wark v. Woods was taken up by Commissioner Nicol, and, no one being present for defendant, judgment of restitution was also rendered in this case, and the rent due was fixed. It is shown by the files that two pen marks had been run through the abbreviation "Dis." The contention of Woods is that the Court, in the latter case, was without jurisdiction to render the judgment. This bill was filed to set it aside.

The record is rather persuasive that the case of Warkv. Woods before Commissioner May was dismissed by May on April 21st. If this be the right conclusion plaintiff is entitled to the relief which he prays. Mr. Fildew, one of the attorneys for Mr. Woods, testified that he went to the office of Commissioner May on the 21st and found the court work of the morning over and the files returned to the clerk's office. He inquired of the clerk about the case. The clerk got the files and found the word "Dis." indorsed thereon, and advised Mr. Fildew that the case had been dismissed; that he, Mr. Fildew, thereupon advised his client, Mr. Woods, that the case had been dismissed.

The testimony of Commissioner May adds some light on what was done on the 21st. He says:

"The 'Dis.' in the upper corner on the outside face of the jacket of this file is my handwriting. It was written there by me. I have no personal recollection as to how that was written there. In the handling of the case that is a sign of and stands for 'Dismissed.' That case was apparently dismissed by me one time or another. I have no recollection as to how it was reinstated afterward, nor have I any recollection of dismissing it. All I know is that that is my signature and this meant 'Dismissal.' "

If the case were dismissed on April 21st then it follows that Commissioner Nicol had no power on May 5th to render a judgment therein. It is argued, however, that Mr. Wood's remedy was to appeal, and that this is a collateral attack upon the judgment. We think not. If the case had been dismissed and the court had no jurisdiction of the subject-matter, then he had no right to render a judgment. Barnes v. Curry, 232 Mich. 532. And such a judgment could be collaterally attacked in any court. King v.Harrington, 14 Mich. 532; Millar v. Babcock, 29 Mich. 526;Nugent v. Nugent, 70 Mich. 52; Steere v. Vanderburg, 67 Mich. 530 -536; Barnes v. Curry, supra.

But it is argued that the situation is analogous to the one where a justice announces that a case is dismissed when the parties are really present but are just outside the presence of the justice. We do not think those cases apply. Had it been the intention of the plaintiff and the commissioner to retain jurisdiction by reinstating the case or adjourning it Mr. Woods should have had some notice of it. He was informed by the files and also by the clerk that the case had been dismissed and he had a right to rely on it, and if any different or other arrangement was made it was necessary to give Mr. Woods notice of it.

To justify proceedings in the case of Wark v. Woods in commissioner's court after the injunction was released it was necessary that the case should have been adjourned to a fixed time and both parties advised of it, or if the case had been dismissed through misapprehension it should have been reinstated and the parties given notice of it.

We are of the opinion that Mr. Woods has not had his day in court upon the judgment rendered against him. The judgment will be set aside and held for naught. Plaintiff will recover his costs in both courts.

WIEST, J., concurred with BIRD, C.J. SNOW, STEERE, and CLARK, JJ., concurred in the result.