Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith v. Zimmerman

Gregory, Justice.

Merrill Lynch sued Zimmerman to recover an amount allegedly due on a commodity trading account. At the close of the evidence the trial court directed a verdict in favor of Merrill Lynch. On appeal the Court of Appeals reversed. Zimmerman v. Merrill Lynch &c., Inc., 159 Ga. App. 429 (283 SE2d 639) (1981). We granted certiorari to consider the following issue: Where a regulated business is required to prove that it is licensed in order to maintain an action for debt, does the best evidence rule require that the actual licensing document be entered into evidence, or will the…