Unlicensed contractors.

Practice point: An unlicensed contractor may neither enforce a home improvement contract against an owner nor seek recovery in quantum meruit.

Student note: Pursuant to CPLR 3015(e), an action to recover damages for breach of a home improvement contract or to recover in quantum meruit for home improvement services will be dismissed if the complaint does not allege compliance with the licensing requirement.

Case: Enko Constr. Corp. v. Aronshtein, NY Slip Op 07805 (2d Dept. 2011).

Here is the decision.

Tomorrow’s issue: Caveat emptor.

Preliminary injunctions.

Practice point: Where the movant does not demonstrate a likelihood of success on the merits, irreparable damage, and a balance of the equities in movant's favor, the motion will not be granted.

Student note: The motion will not be denied just because there are issues of fact, unless they subvert the plaintiff's likelihood of success on the merits to such a degree that it cannot be said that the plaintiff has established a clear right to relief.

Case: Cooper v. Board of White Sands Condominium, NY Slip Op 07799 (2d Dept. 2011).

Here is the decision.

Tomorrow’s issue: Unlicensed contractors.

Veterans Day.

Today is a Court holiday, and so there is no post on NEW YORK LAW NOTES.

To all Veterans, thank you for your service, and to everyone with a family member in service, thank you for your sacrifice.

Monday's issue is preliminary injunctions.

Judgment as a matter of law.

Practice point: A motion for judgment as a matter of law must be made at the close of the opposing party's case or at any time on the basis of admissions, pursuant to CPLR 4401.

Student note: The grant of such a motion prior to the close of the opposing party's case generally will be reversed as premature, even if the opposing party's ultimate success is improbable.

Case: Burbige v. Siben & Ferber, NY Slip Op 07794 (2d Dept. 2011).

Here is the decision.

Tomorrow’s issue: Preliminary injunctions.

Time is of the essence.

Practice point: When the contract states that time is of the essence, the parties are obligated to comply strictly with its terms.

Student note:When time is of the essence, performance on the specified date is a material element of the contract, and failure to perform on that date constitutes a material breach.

Case: Bank of America v. Petit, NY Slip Op 07787 (2d Dept. 2011).

Here is the decision.

Tomorrow’s issue: Judgment as a matter of law.

Election Day.

Today is a Court holiday, and so there is no post on NEW YORK LAW NOTES.

Tomorrow's issue is time is of the essence.

Foreclosures.

Practice point: The holder of a note and mortgage may proceed at law to recover on the note or proceed in equity to foreclose on the mortgage, but must elect only one of these remedies, pursuant to RPAPL 1301.

Student note: RPAPL 1301(1) codifies the equitable principle that once a remedy at law has been resorted to, it must be exercised to exhaustion before a remedy in equity, such as foreclosure, may be sought.

Case: Aurora Loan Servs., LLC v. Lopa, NY Slip Op 07595 (2d Dept. 2011).

Here is the decision.

Wednesday’s issue: Time is of the essence.

Slips and falls.

Practice point: A defendant who moves for summary judgment in a slip-and-fall case has the initial burden of demonstrating, prima facie, that it neither created the hazardous condition nor had actual or constructive notice of its existence for a sufficient length of time to discover and remedy it.

Student note: Once a defendant has actual or constructive notice of a dangerous condition, the defendant has a reasonable time to undertake remedial actions that are reasonable and appropriate under all of the circumstances.

Case: Alami v. 215 E.68th St., L.P., NY Slip Op 07591 (2d Dept. 2011).

Here is the decision.

Monday’s issue: Foreclosures.

Labor Law.

Practice point: A property owner is not liable on a § 200 claim if someone is hurt through a dangerous condition which he has undertaken to fix.

Student note: A res ipsa loquitur claim does not lie absent a showing that that the accident could not have been caused by plaintiff’s voluntary action or contribution.

Case: Henriquez v. New 520 GSH LLC, NY Slip Op 07578 (1st Dept. 2011).

Here is the decision.

Tomorrow’s issue: Slips and falls.

Discovery.

Practice point: If relevant, plaintiff’s Facebook postings are not shielded from discovery merely because plaintiff used the service's privacy settings to restrict access.

Student note:Relevant matter from a personal diary is discoverable.

Case: Patterson v. Turner Constr. Co., NY Slip Op 07572 (1st Dept. 2011).

Here is the decision.

Tomorrow’s issue: Labor Law.

Summary judgment.

Practice point: An argument advanced for the first time in reply papers will not be considered in deciding the motion.

Student note: New facts are required on a motion to renew, pursuant to CPLR 2221[e][2]).

Case: Rhodes v. City of New York, NY Slip Op 07569 (1st Dept. 2011).

Here is the decision.

Tomorrow’s issue: Discovery.