Lawson v. Watkins

Lawson appeals from the trial court’s denial of his motion to dismiss an action brought by Watkins concerning ownership of a piece of property. In a prior action, Watkins had sued Lawson to recover money allegedly borrowed by Lawson. Lawson’s counterclaim, relating to reformation of a promissory note, sought to have the holder of the note enjoined from foreclosing on that same property, titled in Lawson’s name.

1. (a) The issue is whether the matter of ownership properly might have been joined in the prior action. OCGA § 9-11-18 (a) provides:

A party asserting a claim to relief as an original…