Tort liability in favor of a non-party to the contract.

A contractual obligation, standing alone, generally will not give rise to tort liability in favor of a third party. There are three exceptions to the general rule: (1) where the contracting party, in failing to exercise reasonable care in the performance of its duties, launches a force or instrument of harm; (2) where the plaintiff detrimentally relies on the continued performance of the contracting party's duties; and (3) where the contracting party has entirely displaced the other party's duty to maintain the premises safely. Here, the plaintiff did not allege facts in the complaint or verified bill of particulars that would establish the possible applicability of any of the three exceptions. In moving for summary judgment, the defendant is not required to demonstrate that these exceptions do not apply. The defendant's motion is granted.

Farmer v. Gazebo Contr., Inc., NY Slip Op 03849 (2d Dep't July 19, 2023)

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Contract law.

A stipulation of settlement entered into by the parties in a divorce action, which is incorporated, but not merged into a judgment of divorce, constitutes a contract between the parties, subject to the principles of contract interpretation. 

Cervera v. Cervera, NY Slip Op 03846 (2d Dep't July 19, 2023)

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CPLR 3215(c).

A defendant's active participation in the litigation may constitute a waiver of the right to seek dismissal. Here, the defendant did not move to dismiss the complaint until nearly three years after his attorney filed a notice of appearance.  In addition, the defendant never sought to vacate his default in answering the complaint, and, therefore, he was precluded from raising his proffered defenses of the plaintiff's failure to comply with RPAPL 1304. 

Bank of Am., N.A. v. Carapella, NY Slip Op 03844 (2d Dep't July 19, 2023)

Here is the decision.

Law of the case.

On plaintiff's summary judgment motion, the law of the case doctrine does not apply to a prior order in the action because that order was rendered on a motion to dismiss pursuant to CPLR 3211, which applies standards different from those on summary judgment. 

938 St. Nicholas Ave. Lender LLC v. 936-938 Cliffcrest Hous. Dev. Fund Corp., NY Slip Op 03885 (1st Dep't July 20, 2023)

Here is the decision.

Setting aside a verdict in the interest of justice.

A motion pursuant to CPLR 4404(a) to set aside a verdict and for a new trial in the interest of justice encompasses errors in the trial court's rulings on the admissibility of evidence, mistakes in the charge, misconduct, newly discovered evidence, and surprise. Here, the Supreme Court providently exercised its discretion in denying the plaintiff's motion to preclude the introduction of a certain photograph at trial on the basis that it was not timely disclosed. Precluding evidence that has been belatedly exchanged is appropriate where the offending party's violation was willful and contumacious, a finding that can be based upon the party's repeated failure to comply with discovery without a reasonable excuse. Plaintiff made no such showing.

Heller v. City of New York, NY Slip Op 03771 (2d Dep't July 12, 2023)

Here is the decision.

Lack of personal jurisdiction.

The defendant did not assert the lack of personal jurisdiction in the answer, and thereby waived this defense under CPLR 3211(e). However, the defense can be interposed in an answer that is amended by leave of court pursuant to CPLR 3025(b).

Deutsche Bank Natl. Trust Co. v. Groder, NY Slip Op 03768 (2d Dep't July 12, 2023)

Here is the decision.

Dismissal under CPLR 3216.

Where the court issues a written demand to resume prosecution of the case, the court must "set forth the specific conduct constituting the neglect, which conduct shall demonstrate a general pattern of delay in proceeding with the litigation, " pursuant to CPLR 3216[b][3]. Where the court seeks sua sponte dismissal, it must give the parties notice and an opportunity to be heard, pursuant to CPLR 3216[a].

Designer Limousine, Inc. v. Authority Transp., Inc., NY Slip Op 03767 (2d Dep't July 12, 2023)

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Sanctions for frivolous conduct.

Pursuant to 22 NYCRR 130-1.1, a court, in its discretion, after a reasonable opportunity to be heard, may impose sanctions against a party or the attorney for a party, or both, for frivolous conduct. Conduct is frivolous if: (1) it is completely without merit in law and cannot be supported by a reasonable argument for an extension, modification, or reversal of existing law; (2) it is undertaken primarily to delay or prolong the resolution of the litigation, or to harass or maliciously injure another; or (3) it asserts material factual statements that are false.

Crudele v. Price, NY Slip Op 03766 (2d Dep't July 12, 2023)

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Real estate brokerage commissions.

In order to recover a commission, the broker must establish: (1) that it is duly licensed; (2) that it had a contract, either express or implied, with the party to be charged with paying the commission; and (3) that it was the procuring cause of the transaction.

Commerce One Realty, Inc. v. 780 Humboldt, LLC, NY Slip Op 03763 (2d Dep't July 12, 2023)

Here is the decision.

Law office failure.

Law office failure may constitute a reasonable excuse for a party's default if the claim of the failure is supported by a credible and detailed explanation. However, conclusory and unsubstantiated allegations of law office failure are insufficient to constitute a reasonable excuse. Neither do general allegations of neglect suffice. 

Columbus v. Kourtei, NY Slip Op 03762 (2d Dep't July 12, 2023)

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Summary judgment.

A defendant cannot prevail on a summary judgment motion merely by pointing to gaps in the plaintiff's proof.

Powell v. City of New York, NY Slip Op 03843 (1st Dep't July 13, 2023)

Here is the decision.