A LAW REPORT.
Doe on the demise of Roe, versus Roe on the demise of Doe.
This was a case of ejectment. Gabble (Q.C.) for plaintiff.—"This is a clear case of ouster (Shower, 2); but if the tenant in possession disputes the title of tenant in tail, he cannot plead laches (Campbell, 1)." In this case the remainder man was regularly let in, but the widow cannot now claim dower (Blackstone, 3). Suppose the mortgagee had been anxious to foreclose, then plaintiff must have been guided by the rule in Shelly's case (Adolphus and Ellis, 6.) Here there is nothing of the kind. If defendant takes anything, it is in the character of tenant in reversion after the possibility of issue extinct (Shower, 1).
Thumpus (Serjeant) contra.—Doe takes only a chattel interest, or, at most, a base fee (Taunton, 6). The court must presume that the outstanding term is satisfied (East, 6). The rule is not now as Coke laid it down, for Mansfield (C. J.) declined taking it up. This is a case of common ouster. Doe walked in as trustee, and was kicked out in tail. There is no relief for him at common law (Bracton). The door was shut upon him by defendant's son, and the parent is not answerable for the act of the boy (Chitty). Judgment was now delivered by the court.
Mither (C.J.)—This is an uncommon case. Doe was never regularly in, nor was Roe regularly out. Both took as devisees of the same testator. The case in Shower cannot guide us here, though the rule laid down has been recognised. I do not think there is much in the objection to the widow's claim of dower, though I see I have got it upon my notes. A mortgagee may suffer by laches, but then the defendant should have pleaded the tort. There is nothing of this on the record, and the verdict must go accordingly.
Puny (J.)—I am of the same opinion. My brother Thumpus has referred us to Bracton. I know the point in Bracton, and have decided it twice the other way. But here I think the rule in Shelly's case comes in and carries the verdict.
Twaddle (J.)—There are four points in this case; three of them amounted to nothing, and the fourth has been conceded. The laches ought to have appeared on the pleadings. There cannot be a use upon a use (Sanders), but a trustee may take by the common law, which the statute, Jac. II., c. 14, did not interfere with. The provisions of the act removed much abuse, and the eighty-fourth is a particularly wholesome section. Here these questions do not arise, and, as the rule is clear, the verdict must follow it.
Shiver (J.)—I am of the same opinion.
(Gentlemen in the Direction.)