Andrew Thompson Judson
Judge Judson no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Judson decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
He treated a patent's clear separation of old components from the claimed new arrangement as sufficient to preserve validity.
“The ‘old parts’ are very clearly stated, and substantially there is nothing claimed to be new except the arrangement of these old parts of a caster with, and their adaptation to, the furniture, without the other parts of other casters, which have ever and at all times been used with the old casters.”
He imposed maritime liability when a vessel neglected a plain duty and thereby caused another vessel's destruction.
“The respondent has not only neglected plain duty, but has illegally and wrongfully been the means of the destruction of the schooner Splendid, without fault of the other party.”
In the Amistad litigation, he required a sovereign claimant seeking restoration to prove lawful title in the claimed property.
“Title must be shown in the property claimed, as belonging to the claimant, or it cannot be surrendered.”
Cautions
He read an insurance policy as a whole and enforced an incorporated contractual time limit for suit.
“The construction shall be made on the whole contract, and not on separate parts, that every part, if possible may take effect.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“That is this case, and unless the parties can agree on the rule of damages, a reference niust be decreed to ascertain the just amount of damages.”
“The decree must be, that this libel is dismissed, with costs.”
“The assignee in bankruptcy cannot claim this property, but it must be left in the hands of the trustee under the state law.”
“Under these circumstances, the libellant may have a decree for $125, without interest or costs; the other half of the money to remain in the hands of the ship owners, as an idemnity for the money expended on their part to convey the libellant in their ship to San Francisco. No costs to be taxed to either party.”
“the court will say that the objection cannot be available against the decree, neither does it seem to be a valid objection against the second. But, as already remarked, the court will not conclude the parties from further argument, at the next appearance. Decree accordingly.”
“The motion to withdraw is disallowed, and the motion of the other creditors to appear is allowed.”
“The evidence in the case shows that the fault rests with the William Kallahan, and she must stand responsible for the consequences. Decree for libelants, with reference to a commissioner to ascertain the damage.”
“The right of appearance, then, is secured by the act to all persons interested. The persons appearing are such.”
“The interrogatories may be filed, and the case will then be referred to a commissioner to take the answers.”
“THE COURT (JUDSON, District Judge) held that the action was properly brought in the court, and the libellant must recover, but that the rule of damages must be the actual amount of loss on the contract price, deducting the amount received on the sale of the two boats. A reference must be had to ascertain the amount of damages.”
“The essential element in the evidence to bring this ease within the statute, and create the Hen, is wanting, and the judgment of the court is that the libel be dismissed.”
“The value of the goods thus in the possession of the defendant having been ascertained, there will be no necessity of a reference. The decree will be for $197.42, including interest”
“The respondent has not only neglected plain duty, but has illegally and wrongfully been the means of the destruction of the schooner Splendid, without fault of the other party. The decree will be for the libellant, with reference to ascertain the damages.”
A historical record
Judge Judson no longer hears cases. This profile stays available as a record of how they ruled. If you're preparing for a matter, start from the court's current bench.