Summary
In Ford v. Borders, 200 Ala. 70, 75 So. 398, it is declared of multifariousness that it is incapable of exact definition, frequently is a matter left to the sound discretion of the court, and every case must be governed by its own peculiar facts; that in "determining this question multiplicity of suits should be avoided, as equity delights to do justice, and not by halves."
Summary of this case from Rountree v. SatterfieldOpinion
7 Div. 854.
February 1, 1917. On Application for Rehearing, May 17, 1917.
Appeal from City Court of Anniston; Thomas W. Coleman, Jr., Judge.
Willett Willett, of Anniston, for appellant. Knox, Acker, Dixon Sterne, of Anniston, for appellees.
The sole question presented for decision by this appeal is whether or not the bill as last amended is multifarious. We are of the opinion that the trial court ruled correctly on the demurrer to the bill as last amended.
A bill for partition among tenants in common is not rendered multifarious by seeking an accounting among the tenants in common as for rent or other uses of the common property and for amounts expended thereon by same. The original bill was therefore not multifarious, though probably an accounting should be had only for the time after complainant acquired her interest; but she could well join herself as administratrix, so as to have a full accounting as to the lands sought to be sold for distribution, in order to avoid two suits. But when, in addition to this, and by the same bill, she sought an accounting between herself in her representative capacity and C. S. Borders as to a farming partnership between him and her testatrix, and also an accounting as to matters extending over three or four years, during which C. S. Borders was acting as agent of the testatrix, and as to renting two other tracts of land, the bill was rendered multifarious. These last two matters are not shown to be so connected with or related to the original bill to sell lands for partition and distribution, as to be properly made a part thereof in order that complete equity may be done.
A tenant in common who files his bill for partition in specie, or for a sale of the common property for distribution, may also have an accounting between the tenants in common as to such property, whether it be as for rents, improvements, or otherwise, if it relates to or is connected with the use of the common property. This is necessary in order to avoid two or more suits. But such tenant in common cannot, in such a suit for partition, have an accounting between himself and another of the cotenants, as to matters not so related to or connected with the common property sought to be divided as to be logically embraced in the main accounting.
Even if the parties to the suit for partition are the only parties interested in accountings as to other matters and transactions, those independent matters cannot be joined in one suit.
Moreover, here one of the respondents had no interest whatever in some of these accountings sought between the other two parties, and hence should not be lugged into the suit.
The rules of law as to multifariousness, so far as applicable to this case, have been frequently stated by this court, and may be summarized as follows:
"Multifariousness" is the joinder of distinct and independent matters, thereby confounding them, or the uniting in one bill of several distinct and unconnected matters against one defendant, or the demands of several distinct and independent matters of a distinct and independent nature against several defendants in the same bill.
The decisions as to what constitutes multifariousness are so exceedingly various as to make it difficult, if not impracticable, to educe any general rules by which to test the objection, the courts seeming to regard what is convenient and just in the particular case, always discouraging the objection where, instead of advancing, it would defeat, the ends of justice. 3 Mayf. Dig. 288.
Multifariousness is incapable of exact definition; it is frequently a matter of discretion; every case must be governed by its own peculiar facts, subject to certain equity jurisprudence; in determining this question multiplicity of suits should be avoided, as equity delights to do justice, and not by halves. It is left in a large measure to the sound discretion of the court. Sicard v. Guyllou, 147 Ala. 239, 41 So. 474; 6 Mayf. Dig. 318.
Multifariousness is generally understood to infect those cases where a party is brought in as a defendant as to matters with a large portion of which, or with the case made by which, he had no connection whatever. It may be described as a joinder of different and distinct independent matters thereby confounding them, or a uniting in one bill of several matters perfectly distinct and unconnected against one defendant, or the demands of several matters of a distinct and independent nature against several defendants in the same bill. A. G. R. R. Co. v. Prouty, 149 Ala. 71, 43 So. 352; 6 Mayf. Dig. 318.
The joinder of two distinct subject-matters, not having any connection, renders a bill multifarious; but on the sustaining of a demurrer for the misjoinder the proper practice is to afford the plaintiff the opportunity to elect to proceed for one only of the matters of suit. Junkins v. Lovelace, 72 Ala. 302; 3 Mayf. Dig. 291.
"No general rule defining what causes of action may be properly joined and what may not can be laid down. The question is always one of convenience in conducting a suit, and not of principle, and is addressed to the sound discretion of the court. * * * If it appears that the causes of action or claims are so dissimilar or distinct in their nature that they cannot be heard and determined together, but must be heard piecemeal, first one and then the other, a clear case of fatal misjoinder is presented; but where a complainant has two good causes of action, each furnishing the foundation of a separate suit, one the natural outgrowth of the other, or growing out of the same subject-matter, * * * and the suit has a single object, that may be properly joined, and the objection of multifariousness or misjoinder will not be sustained." Ferry v. Laible, 27 N.J. Eq. 146, 150, and authorities cited; Singer v. Singer, 165 Ala. 145 -147, 51 So. 755, 29 L.R.A. (N.S.) 819, 138 Am. St. Rep. 19, 21 Ann. Cas. 1102; 7 Mayf. Dig., 289, 290.
We are of the opinion that there was no error in sustaining the demurrer; and the decree appealed from must be affirmed.
There is nothing in this case to bring it within the influence of section 3095 of the Code.
Affirmed.
ANDERSON, C. J., and SOMERVILLE and THOMAS, JJ., concur.
Response to Application for Rehearing.
Counsel for appellant in their application for a rehearing seem to labor under the impression that this court, on the appeal, has in some way or manner modified the decree of the lower court. That decree is in no wise changed, but in all things affirmed. Counsel surely overlook the first two sections and paragraphs in the opinion of which they complain.
The only judgment here is one affirming the decree appealed from sustaining a demurrer to the bill as last amended. The demurrer was overruled to the bill as it stood before the last amendment; and it is not decided that the bill was then subject to multifariousness, as counsel seem to apprehend. Nothing is intended to be intimated as to the correctness of the rulings before the bill was last amended. If there be anything in the opinion that would seem to indicate a decision upon matters not decided by the chancellor, it is dictum; it was not intended to intimate any holding contrary to the decision below.
Counsel for appellant refer to the opinion of the learned chancellor to show error in our opinion. The opinions of courts and of judges contain merely the reasons for the decision. We have no criticism for the opinion of the lower court, but, to the contrary, approve and affirm it, as well as we do the decision reached and the decree rendered. The chancellor said and decided that the accounting between the parties should be confined to matters and transactions relating to the common property sought to be apportioned; that it could not and should not be so extended as to include matters and transactions between the parties or tenants in common, in reference to the lands in question, occurring before the relation of tenants in common subsisted, nor to matters or transactions between them, having no relation to, or connection with, the common property sought to be partitioned or sold for division, which was and is the main equity of the original bill; the accounting being purely incidental to the main equity. The bill is one for partition or sale for division of lands belonging to tenants in common, and not one for an accounting. Were the main equity of the bill for an accounting, the decree on the demurrer might be different.
It was not intended to be decided or stated in the opinion that the mere fact that there was a partnership arrangement as to the cultivation or use of the lands in question, or that one tenant was acting as the agent of the other in the purchase, use, occupation, or cultivation of the common property, would prevent an accounting as to the purchase price, rents, income, or profits of the lands sought to be apportioned. But it was said and decided, and, we hold, correctly so, that matters and transactions between the parties relating to other lands in question should not be lugged into this suit; that is, that the accounting should be confined to the subject-matter of the suit, the lands sought to be apportioned.
The fault found by the chancellor and by this court with the bill as last amended was that the main equity of the bill has by repeated amendments been changed from partition of lands among tenants in common to one for an accounting between the parties. While an accounting may be had on a bill for partition, it is a mere incident to the right of partition, and must be limited in its scope to matters related to, or connected with, the common property sought to be partitioned. It is perfectly evident that the bill as last amended is not so limited but that the last amendment takes in matters relating to other lands, and to transactions between the parties, occurring even before the relation of tenants in common arose, and affirmatively attempts to settle the affairs of a partnership and those growing out of the relation of principal and agent between the parties. As before stated, the mere fact that the lands in question were bought and used under a partnership arrangement, or that of principal and agent, would not prevent an accounting as for the purchase price, rents, income, profits, or other use of the common property; but such relations of the parties in this suit must be those only that involve the lands sought to be apportioned.