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Civil Procedure

Michigan Law Review

Michigan

Articles 1 - 12 of 12

Full-Text Articles in Law

The Union Of Law And Equity, Charles W. Joiner, Ray A. Geddes Jun 1957

The Union Of Law And Equity, Charles W. Joiner, Ray A. Geddes

Michigan Law Review

This paper was prepared for the guidance of a Committee on Michigan Procedural Revision jointly created by the Michigan Legislature, the Supreme Court of Michigan, and the Michigan State Bar to recommend revision of Michigan statutes and rules. Toe need for the joinder of law and equity procedure was thought to be so fundamental that this paper was prepared as a basic study for the committee. In it an attempt is made to bring to the attention of the Michigan lawyers, judges, and legislators an analysis of the Michigan Constitution, statutes, and cases and the experience of other states that …


Constitutional Law-Due Process-Restrictions Upon Advertising, Joseph M. Kortenhof Mar 1952

Constitutional Law-Due Process-Restrictions Upon Advertising, Joseph M. Kortenhof

Michigan Law Review

In its efforts to combat gasoline price wars and the fraud that allegedly accompanied them, the City of Pontiac enacted an ordinance designed to restrict the scope of gasoline advertising. It provided that: "No sign or placard stating the price or prices of gasoline other than such signs or placards as hereinabove provided [signs not larger than 12 by 12 inches attached to pumps] shall be posted or maintained on the premises on which said gasoline is sold or offered for sale." Defendant retailed gasoline; by combining hauling and retailing into one operation, savings of about four cents a gallon …


Courts-Validity Of Contracts Restricting Venue In Actions Under The Federal Employers' Liability Act, John C. Walker S. Ed. Feb 1950

Courts-Validity Of Contracts Restricting Venue In Actions Under The Federal Employers' Liability Act, John C. Walker S. Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Petitioner suffered injuries in the course of his duties as an employee of respondent railroad. Subsequently, respondent advanced money to petitioner and the latter agreed in writing that if his claim could not be settled he would sue only in the county or district where he resided at the time of the injury, or in the county or district where the injury was sustained. This agreement restricted petitioner's choice of venue to either a state or federal court sitting in Michigan. Ignoring the contract, petitioner sued in an Illinois court. Respondent then brought suit in the Michigan courts to enjoin …


Federal Courts - Federal Rules Of Civil Procedure - Statutes Of Limitations - Commencement Of Action, Harry M. Nayer Dec 1941

Federal Courts - Federal Rules Of Civil Procedure - Statutes Of Limitations - Commencement Of Action, Harry M. Nayer

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff brought suit on some promissory notes in the federal district court in Michigan. The complaint was filed before the expiration of the six-year Michigan statute of limitations, but although the plaintiff used due diligence he was unable to get personal service on defendant until the statutory period had elapsed. Defendant pleaded the statute of limitations. Both the Michigan and the federal procedures provide that "a civil action is commenced by filing a complaint with the court." Held, that the filing of the complaint tolled the running of the statute and the plaintiff should therefore be allowed to maintain …


Appeal And Error - Harmless And Prejudicial Error, Michigan Law Review Jan 1940

Appeal And Error - Harmless And Prejudicial Error, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

In the trial of defendant for embezzlement, the prosecutor's opening address to the jury included a hearsay statement, regarding a tacit admission by defendant, tending to establish his guilt. Subsequently in the trial such hearsay statement was not allowed in evidence and the defendant now claims on appeal from conviction that the opening statement was prejudicial and thus he is entitled to a new trial. Held, that the statute governing reversals by an appellate court for prejudicial errors did not apply; and that a new trial follows as a matter of course because of a deprivation of the constitutional …


Federal Courts - Substance And Procedure - Effect Of Erie Railroad V. Tompkins And Rule 8 (C) Of The Federal Rules Of Civil Procedure Upon Burden Of Proof Of Contributory Negligence, John H. Uhl Jun 1939

Federal Courts - Substance And Procedure - Effect Of Erie Railroad V. Tompkins And Rule 8 (C) Of The Federal Rules Of Civil Procedure Upon Burden Of Proof Of Contributory Negligence, John H. Uhl

Michigan Law Review

The case of Erie Railroad v. Tompkins has wrought a great change in the relationship between the state and federal courts. Prior to its decision, the federal courts under the rule of Swift v. Tyson did not have to apply the state non-statutory law. They could apply their own notions as to what the law was in matters of general law relating to substance. The Conformity Act compelled the federal courts to follow the practice, pleading, and forms and modes of proceeding in like causes in the courts of the state within which the federal district courts were held. In …


Practice And Procedure-Scope Of Court Rules Allowing Discovery Nov 1934

Practice And Procedure-Scope Of Court Rules Allowing Discovery

Michigan Law Review

The declaration alleged that plaintiff's intestate, a tenant of the defendant, sustained fatal injuries from a fall on the grounds of the apartment house, caused by defendant's negligence with respect to the care of the premises. The action was begun one day before the statute of limitations would have run. Defendant gave notice that under Court Rule 41 she would examine the plaintiff as to the particulars of the event which constituted the cause of action. Plaintiff filed a motion to set aside this order, alleging that defendant's rights under the above rule were limited to discovery as to affirmative …


Process In Actions Against Non-Residents Doing Business Within A State, Maurice S. Culp May 1934

Process In Actions Against Non-Residents Doing Business Within A State, Maurice S. Culp

Michigan Law Review

Many state legislatures have undertaken to subject non-resident persons or unincorporated groups, or both, to the power of their local courts in relation to business transacted within their limits. No less than forty States have at one time or another enacted statutes providing for substituted service of process in actions arising out of such transactions. Most of these statutes apply to non-residents generally; but in eighteen States statutes, now or formerly in force, have provided in express terms for substituted service on non-resident partnerships or unincorporated associations. Both types alike provide that service may be made upon an actual agent …


Practice And Procedure - Power Of The Court To Increase Inadequate Verdict Feb 1934

Practice And Procedure - Power Of The Court To Increase Inadequate Verdict

Michigan Law Review

With the development of the remittitur in the case of excessive verdicts, one would naturally expect the development of an analogous device for cases wherein the verdicts are inadequate. When the plaintiff moves for a new trial because of an inadequate verdict, a denial of the motion on the condition that the defendant agree to a certain increase in the verdict is perfectly analogous to the remittitur in form. But this device has not received the same wide acceptance as its counterpart. In cases in which the plaintiff has appealed this device has been condemned, while it has been approved …


Equity - Contempt - Enforcement Of Decree To Pay Money Mar 1933

Equity - Contempt - Enforcement Of Decree To Pay Money

Michigan Law Review

The defendant became the beneficiary in a life insurance policy by undue influence. The court decree ordered her to pay the proceeds, most of which she had spent, to the plaintiff, the original beneficiary. Upon commitment for contempt in disobedience of the decree the defendant brought habeas corpus. Held, that attachment for contempt for non-compliance with an order to pay money lies only when payment is unenforceable by execution. Since defendant had available his remedy of execution, contempt proceedings were unjustifiable. Klimek v. Borkowski, 259 Mich. 383,243 N. W. 313 (1932).


Practice And Procedure - Demurrer To Evidence - Directing Verdict In Favor Of Party Having Burden Of Proof Jan 1932

Practice And Procedure - Demurrer To Evidence - Directing Verdict In Favor Of Party Having Burden Of Proof

Michigan Law Review

P purchased potatoes in Michigan. He instructed the defendant railroad to deliver the potatoes to the warehouse of B when they should arrive in Richmond. Instead, some were sent to another warehouse. Before P discovered the mistake, the potatoes spoiled. P made claim of loss six months and twenty days after the shipment left Michigan. The bill of lading provided that claims for loss or damage must be made in writing within six months after a reasonable time for delivery has elapsed. The testimony of Neiss, freight clerk, who was called by the defendant, was to the effect that eight …


Logic V Common Sense In Pleading, Nathan Isaacs Jan 1918

Logic V Common Sense In Pleading, Nathan Isaacs

Michigan Law Review

Michigan's experiment in pleading--or the suppression of pleading-is being carefully watched throughout the country. Not that it is likely that many other states will go to the extreme, for it is an extreme, of substituting notice-pleading for essential-fact-pleading: but it is a fact that even the code states are experiencing a reaction in that general direction. It will probably lead to a multiplication of their "short forms," rather than to a sweeping provision that