ART. 68.] JUSTICES OF THE PEA.CE AND CONSTABLES.

thing in controversy does not exceed one hundred dollars, and
which value shall be ascertained by appraisers summoned and sworn
by the sheriff or other officer to whom the writ of replevin is
directed , and to all cases of attachment against non-resident or
absconding debtors, where the sum claimed does not exceed one
hundred dollars

733

7. But no justice of the peace shall have any jurisdiction in
actions where the title to lands is involved, nor in actions for slander,
for breach of promise to marry, or to enforce any lien for work or
materials furnished.

Id s 14
181S, c 162,
1B52. c 239, s 1
I u what cnses
no jurisdiction
41 Md 196,200,
43 Md 64 , 46
Md 183

8. If the defendant, in an action before a justice of the pe"ace
for cutting, destroying, or carrj ing away timber or wood to or from
any land in this State, or for doing any other injury to such lands,
shall allege in writing that he claims title to said lands, or that he
acted under a person claiming title to the same, whom he shall name
in such allegation, and shall \ erify said allegation by oath, the justice
shall take no further cognizance of the casc.

Id s 43
1813, c 162, so
1-5 , 1824, c 138,
s 6 , 1825, c 51, '
s 1
In suit for
trespass, if de-
fi'nd ml claims
til It', suit to
abate
41 Md 196, 46
Md 184.

9. In all cases where the amount claimed, or the thing in action,
exceeds the sum or value of fifty dollars, and justices of the peace
have jurisdiction, the several Circuit Courts for the counties shall
have concurrent jurisdiction with justices of the peacc.
10. The jurisdiction of justices of the peace extends to cases
where administrators are parties, plaintiffs, or defendants, except
that no administrator shall be sued before a justice within twelve
months from the date of his letters.

Id s 16
1852, c 239, B 4
When Circuit
Courtato hire
concurrent
jurisdiction
41 Md 19b, 200
Id s 31
1819, c 167. s 1
W here adminis-
trators parties
4 H & J 448

11. If any administrator shall allege in writing, and verify the
same by oath, that he has no assets in his hands, or that he has
reasonable cause to believe the assets will not be sufficient to pay
the debts of the decedent, then the justice of the peace shall transmit
the proceedings in relation thereto to the next Circuit Court for the
county, or the Baltimore City Court, and such court shall hear and
decide the casc.

PROCEEDINGS BEFORE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

Id s 32
1819, c 107, s 2.
Proceeding
where adminis-
trator all ges no
assets, etc

12. The process to be issued by justices of the peace, in civil
cases, shall be a summons, wherein shall be stated, briefly, the pur-
pose for which the party is summoned, and made returnable before
thejustice issuing the same, or before some other justice, to be named
therein, on a day to be stated in said summons, not exceeding forty
days from the time of issuing the same.

Art 51, s 18
1791, c 68,s.6,
1841, c 199,
1852, c 76, s 3
Proceeds in
civil cases

13. If the summons shall be returned " summoned, "and the de-
fendant shall fail to appear on the return day thereof, then the jus-
tice shall fix a day of trial, not less than six nor more than fourteen
days from the return day, and proceed to try such case, ex parte,
the defendant to have the right to appear at any time before judg-
ment, and make any defence he may have, as if he had appeared at
the return day of the summons.

Id s 19
1852, c 76, s 3
Proceeding
where defend-
ant summuned,
fails to appear.