Vacating a judgment.

A court's inherent discretionary power to vacate judgments is not limited to the grounds specified in CPLR 5015(a).

Wansdown Props. Corp., N.V. v. Azari, NY Slip Op 07048 (1st Dep't October 23, 2018)

Here is the decision.

Duress as a defense in a contracts action.

The threatened exercise of a legal right does not constitute duress.

Nuntnarumit v. Lyceum Partners LLC, NY Slip Op 07041 (1st Dep't October 23, 2018)

Here is the decision.

Deeming an answer timely filed.

A demonstration of ongoing settlement negotiations between a plaintiff and the defendant's insurance carrier is a reasonable excuse for the defendant's delay in answering. The court may providently exercise its discretion in denying default judgment and accepting the defendant's answer, deeming it timely filed, nunc pro tunc.

Manne v. Berkowits Sch. of Electrolysis, Inc. NY Slip Op 06997 (1st Dep't October 18, 2018)

Here is the decision.

A motion to change venue.

Pursuant to CPLR 510(2), the movant must produce admissible factual evidence demonstrating a strong possibility that an impartial trial cannot be had in the county where venue was properly placed. The motion is at the sound discretion of the trial court, and its determination will not be reversed absent an improvident exercise of discretion.

Sowell v. Gansburg, NY Slip Op 06958 (2d Dep't October 17, 2018)

Here is the decision.

An attorney's conflict of interest.

An attorney may not undertake a representation where a conflicting interest may, even inadvertently, affect, or give the appearance of affecting, the fiduciary obligations of the attorney-client relationship. The attorney is in violation of Rule of Professional Conduct 1.7, and is not entitled to legal fees.

Saint Annes Dev. Co. v. Batista, NY Slip Op 06956 (2d Dep't October 17, 2018)

Here is the decision.

Comparative negligence.

A plaintiff is not required to demonstrate freedom from comparative negligence in order to be entitled to summary judgment as to the defendant's liability.

Chan v. Choi, NY Slip Op Op 06857 (1st Dep't October 16, 2018)

Here is the decision.

Opposing a motion for summary judgment.

Mere conclusory allegations, expressions of hope, or unsubstantiated assertions are insufficient to defeat a motion for summary judgment.

Caputo v. Citimortgage, Inc.NY Slip Op 06713 (2d Dep't October 10, 2018)

Here is the decision.

Moving to vacate a default.

A party is precluded from moving to vacate its default on grounds asserted in a prior motion that was denied, and from which no appeal was taken, or on grounds that were apparent when the party made the prior motion but which were not asserted therein.

A.G. Parker, Inc. v. 246 Rochester Partners, LLC, NY Slip Op 06711 (2d Dep't October 11, 2018)

Here is the decision.

Adverse possession.

In order to establish adverse possession, a plaintiff must demonstrate, by clear and convincing evidence, that its possession has been adverse, under claim of right, open and notorious, continuous, exclusive, and actual for a period of 10 years, pursuant to RPAPL 501[2] and CPLR 212[a].

168-170 Flushing Ave, LLC v. February 22, LLC, NY Slip Op 06710 (2d Dep't October 10, 2018)

Here is the decision.

Skiing accidents.

 General Obligations Law § 18-107 states that, "[u]nless otherwise specifically provided in this article, the duties of skiers, passengers, and ski operators shall be governed by common law."  The common law applies where plaintiffs allege inadequate padding of defendant's snowmaking pole, as the statute does not specifically address this circumstance.

Madsen v. Catamount Ski Resort, NY Slip Op 06794 (1st Dep't October 11, 2018)

Here is the decision.

Ambiguous contracts.

If the contract is ambiguous, it cannot be construed as a matter of law, and a summary judgment motion will be denied.

Funk v. Seligson, Rothman & Rothman, Esqs., NY Slip Op 06614 (1st Dep't October 4, 2018)

Here is the decision.