Elliott Northcott
Judge Northcott no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Northcott decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
Gives substantial weight to factual findings made by a judge who observed the witnesses.
“the findings of a trial judge who heard the witnesses, and had an opportunity to observe their demeanor on the witness stand, are entitled to great weight”
Respects the trustee's choice of counsel absent a good reason to reject it.
“the choice of the trustee should be confirmed unless good reasons appear to the contrary.”
Procedural preferences
Draws all fairly supported facts and inferences for the plaintiff when testing whether substantial evidence supports a verdict.
“there should be drawn in his favor all the inferences fairly deducible from such facts.”
Requires factual disputes about negligence to be submitted to the jury when the record supports competing conclusions.
“the case should have been, under the evidence appearing in the record before us, submitted to the jury.”
Cautions
Applies the plain and commonly accepted meaning of statutory language rather than extending it beyond its evident scope.
“To do so would be to do violence to the common and accepted meaning of plain and simple words.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“There was no error, and the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.”
“The action of the trial judge was proper, and the judgment is affirmed.”
“The action of the trial judge in directing a verdict for the defendant was proper, and the judgment of the court below is affirmed.”
“the judgment below must be reversed, and a new trial awarded. Reversed.”
“The decision of the Board of Tax Appeals is reversed, and the ease is remanded for further proceedings in accordance with this opinion. Reversed.”
“Affirmed as to counts 3 and 5, and remanded as to count 1.”
“the order of the court below is reversed.”
“the judgment in casé No. 3298 is accordingly affirmed.”
“The judgment of the court below is accordingly affirmed.”
“No. 3616 appeal dismissed. No. 3629 reversed.”
“The judgment of the court below is accordingly reversed.”
A historical record
Judge Northcott 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.