Kaufman v. Leard

The plaintiffs (the Kaufmans) brought a bill in equity under G. L. c. 214, § 3 (3), so as to have disposed of in one proceeding the claims arising out of the remodeling in 1961 of their house at 147 Highland Avenue, Newton. These included a pending action by the general contractor (the defendant Leith L. Leard), a pending suit by the painter (the defendant E. J. Noel & Sons, Inc. [Noel]), and the Kaufmans’ claim against the architect (the defendant Arthur H. Brooks, Jr.). Leard and Noel set up their claims in the Kaufmans’ interpleader suit by way of counterclaim. Brooks counterclaimed for an…