McCarthy v. Guire

The opinion of the court was delivered by

Perskie, J.

It is the settled law of our state that before a judgment by default regularly entered will be opened for the purpose of interposing a defense, the one seeking to invoke the aid of the court must show surprise and merit. Schwenk v. DeMaio, 79 N. J. L. 189; 74 Atl. Rep. 267; Lavino & Co. v. National Surety Co., 104 N. J. L. 475; 141 Atl. Rep. 663; Hanover Trust Co. v. Rizzo, 110 N. J. L. 581, 582; 166 Atl. Rep. 326. Does defendant’s proof show surprise and merit? We recur to the facts.

*796On June 1st, 1933, plaintiff’s intestate, while riding as…