Covell v. Heyman is a United States Supreme Court case that was decided in 1884. The case involved a dispute between two parties over a contract for the sale of a horse. The plaintiff, Covell, had agreed to purchase a horse from the defendant, Heyman, for $150. Heyman had agreed to deliver the horse to Covell, but failed to do so. Covell then sued Heyman for breach of contract. The Supreme Court held that Heyman was liable for breach of contract. The Court reasoned that the contract between the parties was valid and enforceable, and that Heyman had failed to fulfill his obligations under the contract. The Court also held that Covell was entitled to damages for the breach of contract. The Court's decision in Covell v. Heyman established that a contract is binding and enforceable, and that a party who fails to fulfill their obligations under a contract is liable for damages. This case is still cited today as an example of the enforceability of contracts.

Justice Field delivered the dissenting opinion in Covell v. Heyman, arguing that the majority's decision was contrary to established precedent and would lead to a number of undesirable consequences. He argued that under existing law, an executor or administrator had no authority to bring suit on behalf of a decedent unless specifically authorized by statute or court order. The majority's ruling allowed such suits without any authorization from either source, which Justice Field believed could open up numerous possibilities for abuse and fraud. Furthermore, he noted that allowing such suits could create confusion over who should be held liable when damages were awarded against an estate - whether it should be paid out of the assets remaining after debts are settled or if creditors should bear some responsibility as well. Finally, Justice Field argued that since there was already sufficient legal protection available for those seeking redress from deceased persons' estates through other means (such as probate courts), there was no need for this new type of action at all.