McNeely v. Superior Court (1918) · DecisionDepot

McNeely v. Superior Court

Name: California Superior Court Tentative Rulings
Creator: DecisionDepot
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

California Court of Appeal Mar 28, 1918 No. Civ. No. 2539.Published

Before: Works

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Holding. In an action against multiple joint tort-feasors, where one defendant has defaulted and judgment has been entered against them, the trial court has a mandatory duty to proceed with the trial against the remaining defendant.

Issues

Whether a trial court may refuse to proceed with a trial against a non-defaulting joint tort-feasor after a separate judgment has been entered against a defaulting co-defendant.
Whether the trial court's duty to proceed with the trial against the remaining defendant is a matter of judicial discretion subject to mandate.

Disposition. Peremptory writ of mandate issued.

Quotations verified verbatim against the opinion

“Under the latter part of the section the petitioner has the right to press the action for trial and it is the duty of the respondent to try it.”

“A peremptory writ of mandate will issue as prayed for.”

Synopsis

Action Against Joint Tort-feasors—Separate Judgment.—Where two joint tort-feasors are sued and one of them suffers default, a judgment may he taken against him and the action proceeded with against the other and a separate judgment rendered against him.

Id.—Default of One Defendant—Eight of Trial by Appearing Defendant—Mandamus.—Where in an action against two joint tortfeasors one of them suffers default, the court has a discretion under section 579 of the Code of Civil Procedure t'o determine whether a judgment should he rendered against such defendant in advance of a trial against the other defendant, hut it has no discretion to refuse t'o proceed with the trial, as t'o the appearing defendant, and a writ of mandate will lie to compel the court to proceed with the trial.

WORKS, J.,

pro

tem.

This proceeding concerns a certain action in which the petitioner, as plaintiff, sued one Connell and one Hill for damages as joint tort-feasors. Hill appeared in the action and made answer to the complaint, but the default of Connell was taken; whereupon the petitioner elected to proceed against the latter under the default and judgment in the sum of one thousand five hundred dollars was entered against him. Connell then came forward and presented a motion to set aside the default and the motion was granted. The petitioner appealed from the order thus made and the appeal is now pending. The action was set down for trial against Hill, but, • at the time set, the respondent refused to proceed with the hearing. The petitioner then filed in this court his application for a writ of mandate requiring the respondent to try the action as to Hill and an alternative writ was issued.

It is contended that the petitioner is entitled to the writ under the terms of section 579 of the Code of Civil Procedure, which reads: “In an action against several defendants, the court may, in its discretion, render judgment against one or more of them, leaving the action to proceed against the others, whenever a several judgment is proper.” The respondent contends, however, that, in an action against several joint tort-feasors, a several judgment is not proper, and cites

McCool

Mahoney,

54 Cal. 491, and

Marriott

Williams, 152

Cal. 705, 711, [93 Pac. 875]. These cases decide that where an action is tried against joint tortfeasors, only one judgment may be pronounced against them all; but a later case has announced the rule that where, as in the action now in question, two joint tort-feasors are sued and one of them suffers default, then a judgment may be taken against him and the action be proceeded with against the other and a separate- judgment be rendered against him.

(Cole

Roebling Construction Co.,

156 Cal. 443, [105 Pac. 255].)

McNeely v. Superior Court

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Synopsis

WORKS, J.,

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