Diefendorf v. Elwood , 3 How. Pr. 285 ( 1848 )

Paige, Justice.

The Code of Procedure relates to civil actions commenced after the act took effect. (Section 8.) The act took effect on the 1st day of July, 1848, (sec. 891, Laws of 1848, p. 565.) The 106th section of the code provides that civil actions in Courts of Becord shall be commenced by the service of a summons; and section 109 requires that a copy of the complaint shall be served with the summons. By section 118 all the forms of pleading heretofore existing are abolished. Section 132 declares that no other pleading shall be allowed than the complaint, demurrer, answer and reply; and section 133 provides that every pleading must be subscribed by "the party or his attorney, and that the complaint, answer and reply must be verified by the party, his agent or attorney, to the effect that he believes it to be true.

The question presented by this motion is, was this suit commenced before the code took effect? If it was not commenced before that time, the proceedings must be set aside, as, since the code took effect, civil actions must be commenced by the service of a summons. The Bevised Statutes (2d vol., 347, sec. 1) declare that actions may be commenced by filing a declaration, entering a rule to plead, and serving a copy of the declaration and notice of such rule personally on the Defendant. The rule to plead was dispensed with by act of 1840. (Stat. 1840, p. 338, sec. 14.) In 15 Wen. 554, in 6 Hill, 11, and in 2 Denio, 196, it was distinctly held that no suit was commenced until the declaration was actually served on the Defendant. I am aware that the filing of the declaration and entry of a rule to plead, have been held" so far a commencement of a suit, as to render a tender before the service of the declaration void without the payment of the costs incurred, and as to deprive the Defendant of the right to give in evidence in mitigation of damages a return of the property before the service of the declaration. (17 Wen. 91; 19 Wen. 304.) But these cases were explained and qualified by the cases in 6 Hill, 11, and 2 Denio, 196. And the two latter cases must be regarded as furnishing the settled rule on the subject. I must, therefore, hold that in this case no suit was commenced before the 1st of July, and the declaration must consequently be set aside. Section 151 of the code in relation to disregarding errors and defects in the pleadings or proceedings, which do not affect the substantial rights of the adverse party, is not, in my judgment, applicable to the proceedings in this case. A rule must be entered, setting aside the declaration and subsequent proceedings.