A summary judgment motion.

The absence of an affidavit from a person having knowledge of the facts does not require denial of the motion, as it is supported by an attorney's affirmation to introduce undisputed documentary evidence, including the parties' contract and the addendum thereto.

Astoria Generating Co., LP v. Riley Power, Inc., NY Slip Op 00560 (2d Dep't January 29, 2020)

Here is the decision.

Appellate practice.

An  interim decision is not an appealable paper, which deprives the Appellate Division of jurisdiction and requires dismissal of the appeal, albeit without prejudice.  There are instances where the Appellate Division  has deemed a paper denominated as a "decision" to be appealable because it contained all the hallmarks of an order. Here, however, the Supreme Court itself noted that it issued the interim decision in the absence of a motion for relief, and the decision did not result in the issue of any order.

Spectrum News NY1 v. New York City Police Dept., NY Slip Op 00521 (1st Dep't January 28, 2020)

Here is the decision.

Prescriptive easements.

The right acquired by prescription is commensurate with the right enjoyed.

Barrett v. A&P Pac. Owner, LLC, NY Slip Op 00396 (2d Dep't January 22, 2020)

Here is the decision.

Collateral estoppel.

If a federal court declines to exercise jurisdiction over a plaintiff's state law claims, collateral estoppel may still bar those claims provided that the federal court decided issues identical to those raised by the state claims.

Afrat v. Kimber Mfg., Inc., NY Slip Op 00394 (2d Dep't January 22, 2020)

Here is the decision.

Pleading a cause of action for a constructive eviction.

The plaintiff must allege a landlord's wrongful act that deprives the tenant of the beneficial enjoyment or actual possession of the demised premises.

Leon v. Harlan, NY Slip Op 00496 (1st Dep't January 23, 2020)

Here is the decision.

Expert testimony in a medical malpractice case.

Testimony about which treatment option should have been recommended is not a proper basis for a claim of medical malpractice or lack of informed consent.  Testimony that one treatment option is preferable does not establish that, in following a different medically accepted treatment, a defendant-physician deviated from the standard of care.

Lampkowski v. Parra, NY Slip Op 00508 (1st Dep't January 23, 2020)

Here is the decision.

Appellate practice.

An argument that is raised for the first time on appeal is not preserved for review.

Crimlis v. City of New York, NY Slip Op 00514 (1st Dep't January 23, 2020)

Here is the decision.

A denied motion for a default judgment.

The defendant's delay in answering the complaint was excusable and minimal, and it caused no prejudice to plaintiff.  Plaintiff moved for default just one day after defendant's time to appear had expired, and defendant timely responded, presenting a meritorious defense to the action. Moreover, the motion court's order is in keeping with the strong public policy favoring litigation of claims on the merits.

Berardelli v. Novo Law Firm P.C., NY Slip Op 00516 (1st Dep't January 23, 2020)

Here is the decision.

A dismissed claim for unjust enrichment.

The existence of an express contract governing the subject matter precludes plaintiffs claim.

Polaris Venture Partners VI L.P. v. AD-Venture Capital Partners L.P., NY Slip Op 00483 (1st Dep't January 23, 2020)

Here is the decision.

Recovering on an unconditional guaranty.

CPLR 3213 provides a means of obtaining an accelerated judgment where a defendant's liability is premised upon an instrument for the payment of money only, such as an unconditional guaranty.  In order to recover, a plaintiff must establish that payment on the underlying debt was due.

255 Butler, LLC v. Boymelgreen, NY Slip Op 00392 (2d Dep't January 22, 2020)

Here is the decision.

A motion to renew.

The motion will be denied where the movant does not explain the failure to offer the purportedly new evidence on the initial motion.

Boccara v. Beinart, NY Slip Op 00374 (1st Dep't January 21, 2020)

Here is the decision.