Opinion
No. 3993
Decided January 2, 1951
Where by statute (R. L., c. 387, s. 13) service of writs against corporations may be made upon one of the directors but no provision is made for service upon the president, a sheriff's return of service upon A as president supplemented by the Court's finding that A was also at the time a director of the corporation shows a proper service of the writ on the corporation. In such case, the sheriff's return may be amended to accord with the facts.
MOTIONS, by the defendant to recall the execution and to strike off the default in each of the above actions. Also a petition by it for extraordinary relief. By writs dated June 6, 1949, Irene brought an action on the case to recover damages from the defendant for personal injuries incurred in a fall on defendant's premises on April 9, 1949, and Conrad, her husband, sought to recover damages resulting to him from his wife's injuries.
The return of service on each writ recites "I summoned the within named Alpine, Inc. by giving in hand to A. Metivier, President, a true and attested copy of the within writ."
The defendant was defaulted. Execution issued in each case on February 8, 1950. On February 27 the defendant filed the above motions, and also its petition for extraordinary relief seeking to enjoin the plaintiffs from spending the sum of $2,000, the product of a cash bond furnished by the defendant and levied on by the plaintiffs.
On hearing said motions, the Court (Wheeler, J.) found that A. Metivier at the time of the service of the writs was also a member of the board of directors of the defendant. Defendant's exceptions to the dismissal of its motions and of its petition were reserved and transferred.
Philip J. Biron, for the plaintiffs.
Chester C. Eaton and James A. Manning (Mr. Manning orally), for the defendant.
The issue to be determined is whether there was proper service on the defendant of the writs in these actions. R.L., c. 387, s. 13, provides that "service of writs against . . . corporations may be made upon the clerk, treasurer, cashier, or one of the directors, trustees or managers, if any in the state. . . . "The sheriff's return here recites that these writs were served on A. Metivier, president. This return does not show a compliance with the requirements of the above statute and unless it can be supplemented or modified the service would be defective. Where a statute points out a particular method of serving process on corporations such method must be followed and the sheriff's return should show the doing of everything necessary to constitute a compliance with its requirements. Fitz-Simmons v. International Ass'n of Machinists, 125 Conn. 490; 19 C. J. S. 993; 42 Am. Jur. 93; 9 Fletcher, Corporations (Perm. ed.) 208, 265; See Dinnin v. Hutchins, 75 N.H. 470.
"It is not the return, however, but the service of the writ, that gives jurisdiction. The return is merely evidence by which the court is informed that the defendant has been served." Bourgeious v. Santa Fe Trail Stages, 43 N. Mex. 453, 456; Burleigh v. Leun, 83 N.H. 115. The essential factor therefore is that service be in fact made in compliance with the requirements of the statute.
At the time of the service of these writs on him, A. Metivier was actually a director of the defendant corporation, an officer on whom service could properly be made under the provisions of R.L., c. 387, s. 13. Service was in fact made on him. The sheriff's return of service on A. Metivier supplemented by the Court's finding that A. Metivier was at that time a director of the defendant corporation shows a proper service of these writs on the defendant. Lucky Boy Min. c. Co. v. Moore, 23 Ariz. 291; Lamb-McAshan Co. v. Ellis, 270 S.W. 547; Ellis v. Lamb-McAshan Co., 278 S.W. 858. See Mathes v. Bank, 62 N.H. 491.
The sheriff's return may be amended in the Superior Court to accord with the facts. Goodwin v. Goldberg, 85 N.H. 548.
Exceptions overruled.
All concurred.