Cayton v. Clark, 193 S.E. 404 (N.C. 1937). · Go Syfert
Cayton v. Clark, 193 S.E. 404 (N.C. 1937). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
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212 N.C. at 374 “it would be idle to vacate a judgment where there is no real or substantial defense on the merits.”2 citing cases2 citing courts quote it
193 S.E. at 404 “[i]t would be idle to vacate a judgment where there is no real or substantial defense on the merits”1 citing case1 citing court quotes it
Other citing cases1 with no pin cite or quoted language on record
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R. E. Cayton
v.
G. A. Clark and Mason Howard.
Supreme Court of North Carolina.
Nov 3, 1937.
Published opinion
193 S.E. 404
1937 N.C. LEXIS 322
Roberts & Williford for plaintiff, appellee. , John G. Dawson for defendant, appellant.
Stacy.
Cited by 12 opinions  |  Published
Stacy, C. J.

Even if it be conceded tbat upon tbe facts found by tbe judge tbe question of excusable neglect may fairly be debatable under tbe decision in Sutherland v. McLean, 199 N. C., 345, 154 S. E., 662 (delimited in Carter v. Anderson, 208 N. C., 529, 181 S. E., 750; Kerr v. Bank, 205 N. C., 410, 171 S. E., 367, and Dail v. Hawkins, 211 N. C., 283, 189 S. E., 774), still tbe judgment would seem to be correct as there is neither allegation nor finding of any meritorious defense. This is fatal to appellant’s case. Bowie v. Tucker, 197 N. C., 671, 150 S. E., 200; Bank v. Duke, 187 N. C., 386, 122 S. E., 1; Land Co. v. Wooten, 177 N. C., 248, 98 S. E., 706; School v. Peirce, 163 N. C., 424, 79 S. E., 687; McLeod v. Gooch, 162 N. C., 122, 78 S. E., 4; Hardware Co. v. Buhmann, 159 N. C., 511, 75 S. E., 731; Norton v. McLaurin, 125 N. C., 185, 34 S. E., 269; Taylor v. Gentry, 192 N. C., 503, 135 S. E., 327; Albertson v. Terry, 108 N. C., 75, 12 S. E., 892. “We do not consider affidavits for tbe purpose of finding facts ourselves in motions of this sort.” Gardiner v. May, 172 N. C., 192, 89 S. E., 955; Holcomb v. Holcomb, 192 N. C., 504, 135 S. E., 287.

It would be idle to vacate a judgment where there is no real or substantial defense on tbe merits. Lumber Co. v. Cottingham, 173 N. C., 323, 92 S. E., 9; Land Co. v. Wooten, supra. “Unless tbe court can now see reasonably tbat defendants -bad a good defense, or tbat they could make a defense tbat would affect tbe judgment, why should it engage in tbe vain work of setting tbe judgment aside ?” — Brown, J., in Glisson v. Glisson, 153 N. C., 185, 69 S. E., 55. “One-wbo asks to be relieved from a judgment on tbe ground of excusable neglect must show merit, as otherwise tbe court would be asked to do tbe vain thing of setting aside a judgment when it would be its duty to enter again tbe same judgment on motion of tbe adverse party” — Allen, J., in Crumpler v. Hines, 174 N. C., 283, 93 S. E., 780.

[*376] A party who seeks to be relieved from a judgment on the ground of excusable neglect or irregularity must show merit, otherwise the court would be engaged in the vain procedure of setting aside a judgment, when, if there be no defense, it would be its duty to enter the same judgment again on motion of the adverse party. Woody v. Privett, 199 N. C., 378, 154 S. E., 625; Taylor v. Gentry, supra; Duffer v. Brunson, 188 N. C., 789, 125 S. E., 619.

Affirmed.