Cohn v. Kember

By the Court: The order appointing an attorney to appear for Kember was based only upon an affidavit sworn some fifteen days before the application for the order was made.

In Forbes v. Hyde, 31 Cal. 351, we said that the affidavit to obtain an order of publication of the summons against an absent defendant “should be prepared with reference to the condition of things as they exist at the time when the order of publication is applied for.” In that case it was held that the order was not well supported by an affidavit made some four months before it was applied for.

We think that a delay of fifteen days between the making of the affidavit and the application for the order cannot be permitted. In proceeding against an absent defendant upon mere constructive service the conditions of the statute must be strictly pursued, or the judgment cannot be supported upon appeal taken.

This view renders it unnecessary to consider whether a judgment rendered upon mere appointment by the Court of an attorney for the defendant, and without service of process actual or constructive, could be upheld under any circumstances.

Judgment reversed and cause remanded.