UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT DECISIONS ON-LINE

GREGORY V. STETSON, 133 U. S. 579 (1890)

133 U. S. 579

U.S. Supreme Court

Gregory v. Stetson, 133 U.S. 579 (1890)

Gregory v. Stetson

No. 1514

Submitted January 6, 1890

Decided March 3, 1890

133 U.S. 579

APPEAL FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE UNITED

STATES FOR THE DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS

Syllabus

A circuit court can make no decree in a suit in the absence of a party whose rights must necessarily be affected thereby.

Two attorneys representing two separate parties delivered a promissory note to a third person as bailee and took his receipt therefor, in which he stated that he held it subject to their joint order, and to be dealt with as they might jointly direct. One of the separate parties filed a bill in equity against the bailee to compel him to deliver up the proceeds of the note (which had been paid) without making parties to the bill the two attorneys and the other party, claiming that he was entitled to do so by reason of an award in an arbitration that had taken place by which it had been decided that he should become the owner of the note on the performance of certain conditions which he had performed. Held that they were necessary parties to the bill and that no decree could be made by the court in their absence.


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