Walter Smith Cox
How Judge Cox rules, drawn from 54 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Judge Cox no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Cox decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
He used remittitur to address a verdict he considered punitive and disproportionate to the proved injury.
“we regard this verdict as grossly excessive.”
He enforced an agreement transferring an invention and refused equitable aid to a party seeking to act contrary to it.
“a court of equity will not aid the inventor to obtain a patent for himself in direct violation of his agreement transferring the property in his invention.”
Cautions
He expected joint trustees to act together when exercising powers entrusted to them.
“the trustees must unite in the discharge of their duties.”
He protected creditors who relied on recorded ownership even where another person asserted an undisclosed beneficial interest.
“the creditor is entitled to pursue the ostensible title, even though it may not be the real title of the debtor.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“we are of opinion that there ought to be a new trial.”
“the demurrer below was properly sustained.”
“I feel bound, therefore, to decree that the sale shall be set aside”
“we do not think the Commissioner was justified in finally rejecting Alteneck’s application for a patent, and cannot confirm his decision.”
“The ruling of the court below, therefore, is affirmed.”
“The decree is set aside and the bill dismissed.”
“both bills, be dismissed without prejudice to the right of these parties to proceed at common law.”
“he is entitled to a specific performance by the defendant of the contract to purchase.”
A historical record
Judge Cox 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.