Opinion
0122
March 12, 1984.
Steven D. Dennis, of Holler Gregory, Columbia, for appellants.
Edward v. Atkinson, of Atkinson, Davis Newman, Sumter, for respondents.
March 12, 1984.
Appellants brought this action for recovery of land, accounting for rents and damages. Respondents answered but did not plead a statute of limitation; respondents then moved for judgment on the pleadings, which was granted by the trial judge. The appealed order held the appellants' causes of action were barred by the statutes of limitation. We reverse and remand.
Judgment on the pleadings may be granted in proper cases but our courts consider it a drastic procedure. See United States Casualty Company v. Hiers, 233 S.C. 333, 104 S.E.2d 561 (1958).
The appealed order is fatally erroneous because the reason for entry of judgment for respondents is based upon appellants' causes of action being barred by the statutes of limitation; this defense was not pleaded by respondents and therefore not available to them. A statute of limitation is an affirmative defense which must be raised by answer. Section 15-13-360, S.C. Code of Laws, 1976. Furthermore, a limitation statute is a statute of grace, permitting the avoidance and evasion of liability in applicable cases; and while given recognition when pleaded, it has never been favored by the courts. Scovill v. Johnson, 190 S.C. 457, 3 S.E.2d 543 (1939).
Accordingly, the appealed order is reversed and the case remanded for such further proceedings as may be necessary.
Reversed and remanded.
CURETON and GOOLSBY, JJ., concur.