Feierabend v. Manistee Circuit Judge, Motion No. 244.

Citation253 Mich. 115,234 N.W. 148
Decision Date07 January 1931
Docket NumberMotion No. 244.
PartiesFEIERABEND et al. v. MANISTEE CIRCUIT JUDGE.
CourtSupreme Court of Michigan

OPINION TEXT STARTS HERE

Original proceeding in mandamus by Fred C. Feierabend and another against Hal L. Cutler, Manistee Circuit Judge.

Writ denied.

Argued before the Entire Bench.Frank A. Ruddy, of Detroit (Joseph Sanders, of Detroit, of counsel), for petitioners.

Howard L. Campbell and Max C. Hamlin, both of Manistee, for respondent.

POTTER, J.

Plaintiffs seek mandamus to compel respondent to set aside an order denying petitioners' motion to set aside their default, and a judgment rendered against them thereon, in the circuit court of Manistee county where they were defendants, in a suit at law, on the ground their default was improperly entered. Respondent's return shows no affidavit of merits was filed by petitioners, who were defendants, at any time. The form and contents of an affidavit of merits is prescribed by Circuit Court Rule No. 34. The procedure to set aside a default in actions at law is prescribed by section 4 of Circuit Court Rule No. 32, which provides:

‘In actions at law, the party desiring to have a default set aside shall, as soon as practicable after he shall know or have reason to believe that the default has been filed, file and serve an affidavit of merits, and make application to the court to have the default set aside.'

It would be useless to set aside petitioners' default and the judgment entered thereon against them, if they do not have a meritorious defense to plaintiffs' claim. The showing of defendants' defense, by an affidavit of merits, is a condition precedent to their right to have the default and judgment based thereon set aside. It was not complied with.

Writ denied, with costs.

BUTZEL, C. J., and WIEST, CLARK, McDONALD, SHARPE, NORTH, and FEAD, JJ., concur.

To continue reading

Request your trial
2 cases
  • Hackley Union Nat. Bank & Trust Co. v. Sheneman
    • United States
    • Court of Appeal of Michigan — District of US
    • January 22, 1971
    ...Bank v. Turner, fn. 1, Supra; Stradley v. Circuit Judge (1893), 96 Mich. 287, 290, 55 N.W. 807.10 See Feierabend v. Manistee Circuit Judge (1931), 253 Mich. 115, 116, 234 N.W. 148; Hews v. Hews (1906), 145 Mich. 247, 255, 108 N.W. 694; McGurrin Sales Agency v. Jackson Circuit Judge (1921), ......
  • Muffat v. Detroit-Macomb Land Co.
    • United States
    • Michigan Supreme Court
    • January 7, 1931

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT