H. B. 4258


(By Delegates Craig, Wills, Coleman,

C. White, Smirl and Armstead)

[Introduced January 28, 2002; referred to the

Committee on the Judiciary.]




A BILL to amend and reenact section seven, article eight, chapter fifty-five of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, relating to actions on contracts; and providing for judgments based upon affidavits and statements of accounts filed by plaintiffs, unless the defendant denies the claim as stated in the complaint.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That section seven, article eight, chapter fifty-five of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, be amended and reenacted to read as follows:
ARTICLE 8. ACTIONS ON CONTRACTS.
§55-8-7. Action against makers, drawers, endorsers, acceptors, assignors or absolute guarantors.

(a) The holder of any note, check, draft, bill of exchange or other instrument of any character, whether negotiable or not or any person entitled to judgment for money on contract, in any action at law or proceeding by notice for judgment on motion thereon, may join all or any intermediate number of the persons liable by virtue thereof, whether makers, drawers, endorsers, acceptors, assignors, or absolute guarantors, or may proceed against each separately, although the promise of the makers, or the obligations of the persons otherwise liable, may be joint or several, or joint and several. If notice or other process be is not served upon all persons proceeded against, judgment may nevertheless be given against those liable who have been served as provided by law with such notice or other process. Such These actions or proceedings by notice may be had from time to time in the same or any other court until judgment is obtained against every person liable or his personal representative. However, plaintiff shall have satisfaction of but one of two or more judgments rendered on the same demand.
(b) In any action at law, whether in circuit court or magistrate court, on a note or contract, express or implied, for the payment of money, if: (1) The plaintiff files with the complaint an affidavit made by the plaintiff or an agent, stating therein to the best of the affiant's belief the amount of the plaintiff's claim, that the amount is justly due, and the time from which plaintiff claims interest; and (2) a copy of the affidavit together with a copy of any account filed with the complaint is served upon the defendant, the plaintiff is entitled to a judgment on the affidavit and statement of account without further evidence unless the defendant files an answer denying the claim or otherwise makes an appearance before the court denying that the plaintiff is entitled to recover from the defendant on the claim. If the defendant's pleading or affidavit admits that the plaintiff is entitled to recover from the defendant a sum certain less than that stated in the affidavit filed by the plaintiff, judgment may be taken by the plaintiff for the sum so admitted to be due and the case will be tried as to the residue.



NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to permit plaintiffs in actions on notes or contracts to obtain judgments, without presenting any other evidence, based upon affidavit and statement of account filed with the complaint, unless the defendant denies the claim by pleading or affidavit. It further permits judgment on any part of the note or contract admitted by defendant with the requirement of a trial on the disputed residue or balance.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.