Opinion
Argued June 10, 1879
Decided September 16, 1879
T.F. Neville, for appellant.
J.A. Beall, for respondent.
This matter arises upon the petition of the appellant, for the vacating of an assessment laid upon his property for the paving of the street in front thereof. The proceeding is special, under the act of 1858: (Chap. 338, Laws of 1858, p. 574.) Certain irregularities are shown by the proofs of the petitioner; and that they existed seems to be conceded by the counsel for the respondent. It also appears that the assessment complained of was for a second or subsequent pavement, after the property had been once assessed for a like work upon the same street: (Laws of 1874, chap. 313, pp. 366, 367). The petitioner makes a case for relief, unless he has waited too long before seeking for it in the courts. The assessment was confirmed on the 1st September, 1869; the petition is dated December 27, 1876; a lapse of time of over seven years.
It is not claimed that there is a statute of limitations within which the case falls. The defense of the respondent rests upon the laches of the petitioner, that is to say, upon his slackness or negligence in prosecuting his right. The doctrine which is shortly indicated by that word is, that for the peace of society a court will refuse to interfere, though there is no statute of limitations applicable, yet there has been gross neglect in prosecuting rights, or long and unreasonable acquiescence in the assertion of adverse rights. A court of equity is never active against public convenience, and refuses its aid where a party has slept upon his right: ( Smith v. Clay, Ambler, 645.) What length of neglect to enforce a right will bring a case under the operation of this rule, may not be abstractly determined. Regard must be had to all the circumstances of the case, especially to such as show a change in property, or the relative position of parties or persons interested or affected. In one case, a delay of fourteen months was held to be fatal: ( McMurray v. Noyes, 72 N.Y., 523); because in that time the value of certain property had been so changed by accidental causes, as that the situation of the parties was materially affected. In another case, a delay of four years was held fatal; Davison v. Associates of the Jersey Company, 71 N.Y., 333; and for similar reasons.
We have had occasion lately to consider the question in a kindred case; The People ex rel. Gas Co. v. Syracuse, decided September 16, 1879; and we there came to the conclusion that the delay of the relator to seek judicial relief was not an answer to its application, in the state of facts there shown, which are not unlike those in this case. For reasons of the same nature as there given, we do not think that the facts of this case require or justify the application to it of the equitable doctrine of laches. The only fact that appears upon the record showing a changed position of affairs, is the payment by the city of the expenses of the work, which was done in proceedings which the city, as well as the petitioner, could have known were irregular and baseless. It does not appear that the city has ever enforced the assessment against any property or owner thereof, or that any owners have ever voluntarily paid. So far as the record shows, there has been no change in the relative position of any of the natural persons affected, or sought to be, by the proceedings. Only the city, going on without legal authority, upon an unauthorized local improvement, and paying out money therefor, has thus changed its position. We doubt whether that is such a changed condition of things as would call upon a court of equity to debar a suitor of relief, for the reason that he had not come earlier into court for it. The rule we speak of is one largely of a court of equity, though it is not unknown to a court of law, especially in its application to proceedings for the review of assessments. Courts of law are wont to deny relief sought by certiorari, where there has been a lapse of time, which in the judgment of the court should debar therefrom. In The People v. The Mayor, etc. (2 Hill, 9), it was held (among other things) that a lapse of three years in bringing the writ, was a sufficient reason for quashing it; see also Elmendorf v. The Same (25 Wend., 693). The common-law writ of certiorari is, however, a writ discretionary with the court, and too much stress may not be laid upon such cases as precedents, in a proceeding like that before us here.
It is said by the petitioner that the act of 1858 is so framed that the courts are obliged to entertain a petition under that act when it sets forth a prima facie case, and to grant relief when the facts stated in it are proven, no matter what length of time has gone by since the irregular official action. The act does indeed use verbs in the imperative mood, in prescribing the duty of the court. But it is not to be taken from that that the court is shut out from the use of all rules of law and equity in making up its judgment. It would not be precluded from giving effect to a release of the right of action, or to proof of repayment made of the amount of the erroneous assessment, or of a former adjudication upon the same matter between the same parties. Doubtless the act is mandatory that the court shall hear and determine the case; but though error or irregularity is shown, if upon any principles recognized by the courts the petitioner is not entitled to present relief, the statute does not intercept the force thereof, and the judgment of the court must be based thereon.
It is said that this proceeding is analogous to a bill to remove a cloud upon title, and it is insisted that no laches of the owner will defeat his claim for relief. The case of Miner v. Beekman ( 50 N.Y., 337), is cited. That case does not in its facts, or in the reasoning of the opinion, touch the doctrine that the right to relief may be lost by the laches of the postulant. The judgment there was put upon the ground that the right to sue had accrued within ten years of the commencement of the action; that the statute of limitations applicable to the case was that of ten years. The question raised, discussed and determined was whether the action was barred by the statute. No application of the equitable doctrine we have named was sought; nor was it pronounced impossible.
We perceive in the circumstances of this case that the petitioner has not come promptly for his rights; but we do not perceive that the lapse of time has wrought such changes in the relations of the parties to the subject matter, to each other, and to others concerned therein, as that the rules of equity properly considered will deny him relief.
Order reversed and rehearing ordered, costs to abide event.
All concur, except ANDREWS, J., absent.
Ordered accordingly.