CPLR R. 3118

CPLR R. 3118 Demand for address of aprty or of person who possessed an assigned cause of action or defense

Matter of Wright-Roberts v Roberts, 2011 NY Slip Op 01136 (App. Div., 1st 2011)

Pursuant to CPLR 3118, respondent, as a party in this action, is required to provide petitioner with a verified statement setting forth his post office address and residence. Moreover, respondent's counsel, who is currently representing respondent in the pending litigation, can also be compelled to disclose his client's address, if it is known by him, without implicating the attorney-client privilege, since "disclosure is necessary for the proper administration of justice" (see Matter of Jacqueline F., 47 NY2d 215, 221 [1979]). It may be unlikely that respondent will comply with an order directing him to disclose his address, given his history of willfully failing [*2]to comply with court orders. However, that does not justify denying petitioner the relief to which she is entitled in the first instance. Respondent should not be

3212; Successive SJ; and stuff

CPLR R. 3212

CPLR R. 3211

11 Essex St. Corp. v Tower Ins. Co. of N.Y., 2011 NY Slip Op 01127 (App. Div., 1st 2011)

The court correctly denied DeSimone's motion for summary judgment on the grounds that it had denied a prior summary judgment motion by DeSimone and no new factual assertions and evidence were submitted or other sufficient cause shown for DeSimone's making the second motion (see Jones v 636 Holding Corp., 73 AD3d 409 [2010]; Forte v Weiner, 214 AD2d 397 [1995], lv dismissed 86 NY2d 885 [1995]).

Lau v 7th Precinct of the Police Dept. of the County of N.Y., 2011 NY Slip Op 01342 (App. Div., 1st 2011)

Although defendants stated in their notice of motion that they sought an order pursuant to CPLR 3212 granting summary judgment, in the supporting affirmation, they argued that the complaint failed to state a cause of action (CPLR 3211[a][7]), and the exhibits annexed to the affirmation consist solely of pleadings. Upon analyzing the pleadings, the motion court granted defendants' motion "for summary judgment . . . dismissing plaintiff's complaint for failure to state a cause of action."

Summary judgment was properly granted although the complaint could have been dismissed pursuant to CPLR 3211(a)(7). Also, plaintiff's argument that the court should have denied defendants summary judgment because the evidence raises issues of fact whether he had a special relationship with the police is unavailing. His General Municipal Law § 50-h hearing testimony is insufficient to establish the elements of such a relationship (see Luisa R. v City of New York, 253 AD2d 196, 203 [1999]; Artalyan, Inc. v Kitridge Realty Co., Inc., 52 AD3d 405, 407 [2008]). Among other things, the police advised plaintiff that they could not help him in this matter and that he would be arrested if he continued to call them. In the face of this evidence, plaintiff cannot establish reasonable reliance upon any purported promise of police protection.

Plaintiff's proposed amended complaint failed to remedy the factual deficiencies in his original complaint (Pacheco v Fifteen Twenty Seven Assoc., 275 AD2d 282, 284 [2000]; Schulte [*2]Roth & Zabel, LLP v Kassover, 28 AD3d 404 [2006]).

Court can’t screw with stip

CPLR R. 2104

Genger v Genger, 2011 NY Slip Op 01357 (App. Div., 1st 2011)

While recognizing that, pursuant to the stipulation, plaintiff is entitled to further audits as to the completeness and accuracy of the marital assets and liabilities contained on the marital balance sheet as of January 31, 2002 and valued as of October 26, 2004, the court impermissibly restricted the scope of these audits, essentially rewriting the stipulation by imposing additional terms (see Matter of Salvano v Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, 85 NY2d 173, 182 [1995]). The stipulation is patently unambiguous and clearly evinces the parties' intent (see Chimart Assoc. v Paul, 66 NY2d 570, 574 [1986]). It contains no restriction or limitation on the scope of the audits. The court was not at liberty to alter or change any of the provisions of the stipulation without the consent of both parties (see Leffler v Leffler, 50 AD2d 93, 95 [1975], affd 40 NY2d 1036 [1976]).

Defendant is bound by the contents of the stipulation (see Da Silva v Musso, 53 NY2d 543, 550 [1981]). His assertions are insufficient to rebut "the heavy presumption that a deliberately prepared and executed written instrument manifested the true intention of the parties" (Merrick v Merrick, 181 AD2d 503 [1992] [internal quotation marks and citation omitted]).

R. 2221

CPLR R. 2221

Vazquez v JRG Realty Corp., 2011 NY Slip Op 01349 (App. Div., 1st 2011)

No appeal lies from the denial of a motion to reargue (DiPasquale v Gutfleish, 74 AD3d 471 [2010]). Supreme Court also properly denied the motion to renew, as the expert affidavit proffered on renewal was available to plaintiffs prior to the summary judgment motion being fully submitted (see e.g. Estate of Brown v Pullman Group, 60 AD3d 481 [2009], lv dismissed and denied 13 NY3d 789 [2009]). In any event, plaintiffs' expert affidavit was speculative, conclusory, and not based on foundational facts, i.e., an exact measurement of the purported defect, and thus was insufficient to create an issue of fact (Pappas v Cherry Cr., Inc., 66 AD3d 658 [2009]).

 

CPLR § 3012; Judiciary Law § 470

 CPLR § 3012 Service of pleadings and demand for complaint
(d) Extension of time to appear or plead

Judiciary Law § 470

Empire Healthchoice Assur., Inc. v Lester, 2011 NY Slip Op 01412 (App. Div., 1st 2011)

Judiciary Law § 470 requires an attorney admitted to practice in New York who is not a New York resident to maintain an office in this state for the practice of law (see Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, LP v Ace Am. Ins. Co., 51 AD3d 580 [2008]; Lichtenstein v Emerson, 251 AD2d 64 [1998]). Failure of counsel to maintain a local office requires striking of a pleading served by such attorney, without prejudice (see Kinder Morgan, 51 AD3d at 580; Neal v Energy Transp. Group, 296 AD2d 339 [2002]). Thus the court was correct in striking defendants' answer.

The court also properly granted defendants' cross motion pursuant to CPLR 3012(d) for an extension of time to answer (Nason v Fisher, 309 AD2d 526 [2003]). Plaintiff's contention that Judiciary Law § 470 barred the motion court from extending defendant's time to answer is incorrect, since the striking of a pleading under that statute is without prejudice (see Kinder Morgan, 51 AD3d at 580; Neal v Energy Transp. Group, 296 AD2d at 339). Defendants' delay in serving a proper answer was short and the defect in the original answer was attributable to law office failure by defendants' original attorney. Plaintiff was not prejudiced by any delay because the original defective answer was timely served (see Gazes v Bennett, 70 AD3d 579 [2010]). Defendants were not required to demonstrate a meritorious defense in order to be granted relief under CPLR 3012(d) (see Nason, 309 AD2d at 526; DeMarco v Wyndham Intl., 299 AD2d 209 [2002]; Mufalli v Ford Motor Co., 105 AD2d 642 [1984]).

Standing and Res Judicata

Springwell Nav. Corp. v Sanluis Corporacion, S.A., 2011 NY Slip Op 01353 (App. Div., 1st 2011)

Since this Court's dismissal of the prior action for lack of standing (46 AD3d 377 [2007]) was not a final determination on the merits for res judicata purposes, plaintiff is not precluded from reasserting the same claims based on newly conferred rights that cured the lack of standing (see e.g. Pullman Group v Prudential Ins. Co. of Am., 297 AD2d 578 [2002], lv dismissed 99 NY2d 610 [2003]). Nor, for collateral estoppel purposes, is the issue raised in this action identical to the issue "necessarily decided" in the prior appeal (see Matter of Hofmann, 287 AD2d 119, 123 [2001]). The issue decided against plaintiff in the prior appeal was whether plaintiff had standing as a beneficial owner to sue on either the indenture or the note. The issue now before us is whether plaintiff has standing, as the registered holder's authorized appointee, to bring suit on the indenture.

As the indenture expressly permits the registered holder to assign its right to institute any legal action to an appointed proxy, and plaintiff has obtained the registered holder's authorization to sue in its stead, plaintiff's status has changed, and its prior lack of capacity has been cured (see [*2]e.g. Allan Applestein Trustee F/B/O D.C.A. Grantor Trust v Province of Buenos Aires, 415 F3d 242 [2d Cir 2005]).

 

Inadmissible hearsay not enough to defeat SJ when that’s all there is

Roche v Bryant, 2011 NY Slip Op 01011 (App. Div., 2nd 2011)

The plaintiff failed to raise a triable issue of fact in opposition. The only evidence offered by the plaintiff to demonstrate that, prior to this incident, the dog actually exhibited any fierce or hostile tendencies was inadmissible hearsay (see Stock v Otis El. Co., 52 AD3d 816, 817 [inadmissible hearsay "is insufficient to bar summary judgment if it is the only evidence submitted" (internal quotation marks omitted)]; Rodriguez v Sixth President, Inc., 4 AD3d 406; Palumbo v [*2]Nikirk, 59 AD3d at 691; Sers v Manasia, 280 AD2d at 540; Lugo v Angle of Green, 268 AD2d 567).

The bold is mine.

Wu-Tang and CPLR 3025

CPLR R. 3025 Amended and supplemental pleadings

Coles v Wu-Tang Prods., Inc., 2011 NY Slip Op 00789 (App. Div., 1st 2011)

The record supports the trial court's determination that plaintiff, as a lyricist of the compositions, and defendant Diggs, as a producer of the music, regarded themselves as joint authors sharing equally in the ownership of a joint work (see Childress v Taylor, 945 F2d 500, 508 [2d Cir 1991]). The court properly granted plaintiff leave to conform the complaint to the evidence presented at trial by adding a claim against Diggs for his unauthorized receipt of a 50% producer's fee (see CPLR 3025[c]; Gonfiantini v Zino, 184 AD2d 368, 369-370 [1992]).

The bold is mine

CPLR R. 2106: can’t be a party

CPLR R. 2106 Affirmation of truth of statement by attorney, physician, osteopath or dentist

Morrison Cohen LLP v Fink, 2011 NY Slip Op 00779 (App. Div., 1st 2011)

To successfully oppose a motion for leave to enter a default judgment, a defendant must demonstrate a reasonable excuse for the default and a meritorious defense. As a party to the action, although an attorney by profession, defendant was required to submit an affidavit in opposition to plaintiff's motion for a default judgment. His submission of an affirmation instead of an affidavit was improper, "and its contents [were correctly] disregarded by the Supreme Court, thereby rendering the opposing papers insufficient to defeat the plaintiff's motion" (Pisacreta v Minniti, 265 AD2d 540 [1999]). Defendant's papers were deficient for the additional reason that the affidavit of the postal service worker on which he relied to demonstrate the inadequacy of "nail and mail" service pursuant to CPLR 308(4) was notarized by defendant himself, a party to the action.

Defendant is not entitled to relief, in the alternative, under CPLR 317 since he has failed to demonstrate that he "did not personally receive notice of the summons in time to defend" (id.; see Majestic Clothing Inc. v East Coast Stor., LLC, 18 AD3d 516, 517 [2005]).

The bold is mine.

22 NYCRR 202.7(a)(2)

22 NYCRR 202.7 Calendaring of motions; uniform notice of motion form; affirmation of good faith

Garcia v City of New York, 2011 NY Slip Op 00629 (App. Div., 1st 2011)

Order, Supreme Court, Bronx County (Larry S. Schachner, J.), entered December 24, 2009, which granted plaintiff's motion pursuant to CPLR 3126 to strike the answers of defendants City of New York, 1515 Bruckner Blvd. LLC, Citywide Contractors LLC and Kaila Construction Corporation unless they appear for their respective examinations before trial within 60 days of service of a copy of the order, unanimously affirmed, without costs.

 

Defendants failed to comply with a preliminary conference order and two compliance conference orders issued over a period of 14 months to produce witnesses for examinations before trial. However, given counsel's failure to file an affirmation in compliance with 22 NYCRR 202.7(a)(2), it was a provident exercise of discretion to provide defendants with a final opportunity to produce witnesses for examinations before trial (see Reidel v Ryder TRS, Inc., 13 AD3d 170 [2004]).

The bold is mine.