New York Civil Practice
Law & Rules
NYCPLR Article 32
Accelerated Judgment
3201. Confession of judgment before default on certain
installment contracts invalid.
3211. Motion to dismiss.
(a) Motion to dismiss cause of action.
(b) Motion to dismiss defense.
(c) Evidence permitted; immediate trial; motion treated
as one for summary judgment.
(d) Facts unavailable to opposing party.
(e) Number, time and waiver of objections; motion to
plead over.
(f) Extension of time to plead.
3212. Motion for summary judgment.
(a) Time; kind of action.
(b) Supporting proof; grounds; relief to either party.
(c) Immediate trial.
(e) Partial summary judgment; severance.
(f) Facts unavailable to opposing party.
(g) Limitation of issues of fact for trial.
3213. Motion for summary judgment in lieu of complaint.
3214. Motions heard by judge supervising disclosure; stay of
disclosure.
(a) Judge supervising disclosure.
(b) Stay of disclosure.
3215. Default judgment.
(a) Default and entry.
(b) Procedure before court.
(c) Default not entered within one year.
(d) Multiple defendants.
(e) Proof.
(f) Notice.
(g) Judgment for excess where counterclaim interposed.
(h) Default judgment for failure to comply with
stipulation of settlement.
3216. Want of prosecution.
3217. Voluntary discontinuance.
(a) Without an order.
(b) By order of court.
(c) Effect of discontinuance.
3218. Judgment by confession.
(a) Affidavit of defendant.
(b) Entry of judgment.
(c) Execution where the judgment is not all due.
(d) Confession by joint debtors.
3219. Tender.
3220. Offer to liquidate damages conditionally.
3221. Offer to compromise.
3222. Action on submitted facts.
(a) Commencement.
(b) Subsequent proceedings.
S 3201. Confession of judgment before default on certain installment
contracts invalid. Notwithstanding the provisions of section thirty-two
hundred eighteen, no judgment by confession shall be entered on any
affidavit which was executed prior to the time a default in the payment
of an installment occurs in connection with the purchase for fifteen
hundred dollars or less of any commodities for any use other than a
commercial or business use upon any plan of deferred payments whereby
the price or cost is payable in two or more installments. Any judgment
entered in violation of this section is void and unenforceable.
Rule 3211. Motion to dismiss. (a) Motion to dismiss cause of action.
A party may move for judgment dismissing one or more causes of action
asserted against him on the ground that:
1. a defense is founded upon documentary evidence; or
2. the court has not jurisdiction of the subject matter of the cause
of action; or
3. the party asserting the cause of action has not legal capacity to
sue; or
4. there is another action pending between the same parties for the
same cause of action in a court of any state or the United States; the
court need not dismiss upon this ground but may make such order as
justice requires; or
5. the cause of action may not be maintained because of arbitration
and award, collateral estoppel, discharge in bankruptcy, infancy or
other disability of the moving party, payment, release, res judicata,
statute of limitations, or statute of frauds; or
6. with respect to a counterclaim, it may not properly be interposed
in the action; or
7. the pleading fails to state a cause of action; or
8. the court has not jurisdiction of the person of the defendant; or
9. the court has not jurisdiction in an action where service was made
under section 314 or 315; or
10. the court should not proceed in the absence of a person who
should be a party.
11. the party is immune from liability pursuant to section seven
hundred twenty-a of the not-for-profit corporation law. Presumptive
evidence of the status of the corporation, association, organization or
trust under section 501 (c) (3) of the internal revenue code may consist
of production of a letter from the United States internal revenue
service reciting such determination on a preliminary or final basis or
production of an official publication of the internal revenue service
listing the corporation, association, organization or trust as an
organization described in such section, and presumptive evidence of
uncompensated status of the defendant may consist of an affidavit of the
chief financial officer of the corporation, association, organization or
trust. On a motion by a defendant based upon this paragraph the court
shall determine whether such defendant is entitled to the benefit of
section seven hundred twenty-a of the not-for-profit corporation law or
subdivision six of section 20.09 of the arts and cultural affairs law
and, if it so finds, whether there is a reasonable probability that the
specific conduct of such defendant alleged constitutes gross negligence
or was intended to cause the resulting harm. If the court finds that the
defendant is entitled to the benefits of that section and does not find
reasonable probability of gross negligence or intentional harm, it shall
dismiss the cause of action as to such defendant.
(b) Motion to dismiss defense. A party may move for judgment
dismissing one or more defenses, on the ground that a defense is not
stated or has no merit.
(c) Evidence permitted; immediate trial; motion treated as one for
summary judgment. Upon the hearing of a motion made under subdivision
(a) or (b), either party may submit any evidence that could properly be
considered on a motion for summary judgment. Whether or not issue has
been joined, the court, after adequate notice to the parties, may treat
the motion as a motion for summary judgment. The court may, when
appropriate for the expeditious disposition of the controversy, order
immediate trial of the issues raised on the motion.
(d) Facts unavailable to opposing party. Should it appear from
affidavits submitted in opposition to a motion made under subdivision
(a) or (b) that facts essential to justify opposition may exist but
cannot then be stated, the court may deny the motion, allowing the
moving party to assert the objection in his responsive pleading, if any,
or may order a continuance to permit further affidavits to be obtained
or disclosure to be had and may make such other order as may be just.
(e) Number, time and waiver of objections; motion to plead over. At
any time before service of the responsive pleading is required, a party
may move on one or more of the grounds set forth in subdivision (a), and
no more than one such motion shall be permitted. Any objection or
defense based upon a ground set forth in paragraphs one, three, four,
five and six of subdivision (a) is waived unless raised either by such
motion or in the responsive pleading. A motion based upon a ground
specified in paragraphs two, seven or ten of subdivision (a) may be made
at any subsequent time or in a later pleading, if one is permitted; an
objection that the summons and complaint, summons with notice, or notice
of petition and petition was not properly served, is waived if, having
raised such an objection in a pleading, the objecting party does not
move for judgment on that ground within sixty days after serving the
pleading, unless the court extends the time upon the ground of undue
hardship. The foregoing sentence shall not apply in any proceeding
under subdivision one or two of section seven hundred eleven of the real
property actions and proceedings law. The papers in opposition to a
motion based on improper service shall contain a copy of the proof of
service, whether or not previously filed. An objection based upon a
ground specified in paragraphs eight or nine of subdivision (a) is
waived if a party moves on any of the grounds set forth in subdivision
(a) without raising such objection or if, having made no objection under
subdivision (a), he does not raise such objection in the responsive
pleading. Where a motion is made on the ground set forth in paragraph
seven of subdivision (a), or on the ground that a defense is not stated,
if the opposing party desires leave to plead again in the event the
motion is granted, he shall so state in his opposing papers and may set
forth evidence that could properly be considered on a motion for summary
judgment in support of a new pleading; leave to plead again shall not be
granted unless the court is satisfied that the opposing party has good
ground to support his cause of action or defense; the court may require
the party seeking leave to plead again to submit evidence to justify the
granting of such leave.
(f) Extension of time to plead. Service of a notice of motion under
subdivision (a) or (b) before service of a pleading responsive to the
cause of action or defense sought to be dismissed extends the time to
serve the pleading until ten days after service of notice of entry of
the order.
(g) Standards for motions to dismiss in certain cases involving public
petition and participation. A motion to dismiss based on paragraph seven
of subdivision (a) of this section, in which the moving party has
demonstrated that the action, claim, cross claim or counterclaim subject
to the motion is an action involving public petition and participation
as defined in paragraph (a) of subdivision one of section seventy-six-a
of the civil rights law, shall be granted unless the party responding to
the motion demonstrates that the cause of action has a substantial basis
in law or is supported by a substantial argument for an extension,
modification or reversal of existing law. The court shall grant
preference in the hearing of such motion.
(h) Standards for motions to dismiss in certain cases involving
licensed architects, engineers, land surveyors or landscape architects.
A motion to dismiss based on paragraph seven of subdivision (a) of this
rule, in which the moving party has demonstrated that the action, claim,
cross claim or counterclaim subject to the motion is an action in which
a notice of claim must be served on a licensed architect, engineer, land
surveyor or landscape architect pursuant to the provisions of
subdivision one of section two hundred fourteen of this chapter, shall
be granted unless the party responding to the motion demonstrates that a
substantial basis in law exists to believe that the performance, conduct
or omission complained of such licensed architect, engineer, land
surveyor or landscape architect or such firm as set forth in the notice
of claim was negligent and that such performance, conduct or omission
was a proximate cause of personal injury, wrongful death or property
damage complained of by the claimant or is supported by a substantial
argument for an extension, modification or reversal of existing law. The
court shall grant a preference in the hearing of such motion.
Rule 3212. Motion for summary judgment. (a) Time; kind of action.
Any party may move for summary judgment in any action, after issue has
been joined; provided however, that the court may set a date after which
no such motion may be made, such date being no earlier than thirty days
after the filing of the note of issue. If no such date is set by the
court, such motion shall be made no later than one hundred twenty days
after the filing of the note of issue, except with leave of court on
good cause shown.
(b) Supporting proof; grounds; relief to either party. A motion for
summary judgment shall be supported by affidavit, by a copy of the
pleadings and by other available proof, such as depositions and written
admissions. The affidavit shall be by a person having knowledge of the
facts; it shall recite all the material facts; and it shall show that
there is no defense to the cause of action or that the cause of action
or defense has no merit. The motion shall be granted if, upon all the
papers and proof submitted, the cause of action or defense shall be
established sufficiently to warrant the court as a matter of law in
directing judgment in favor of any party. Except as provided in
subdivision (c) of this rule the motion shall be denied if any party
shall show facts sufficient to require a trial of any issue of fact. If
it shall appear that any party other than the moving party is entitled
to a summary judgment, the court may grant such judgment without the
necessity of a cross-motion.
(c) Immediate trial. If it appears that the only triable issues of
fact arising on a motion for summary judgment relate to the amount or
extent of damages, or if the motion is based on any of the grounds
enumerated in subdivision (a) or (b) of rule 3211, the court may, when
appropriate for the expeditious disposition of the controversy, order an
immediate trial of such issues of fact raised by the motion, before a
referee, before the court, or before the court and a jury, whichever may
be proper.
(e) Partial summary judgment; severance. In a matrimonial action
summary judgment may not be granted in favor of the non-moving party. In
any other action summary judgment may be granted as to one or more
causes of action, or part thereof, in favor of any one or more parties,
to the extent warranted, on such terms as may be just. The court may
also direct:
1. that the cause of action as to which summary judgment is granted
shall be severed from any remaining cause of action; or
2. that the entry of the summary judgment shall be held in abeyance
pending the determination of any remaining cause of action.
(f) Facts unavailable to opposing party. Should it appear from
affidavits submitted in opposition to the motion that facts essential to
justify opposition may exist but cannot then be stated, the court may
deny the motion or may order a continuance to permit affidavits to be
obtained or disclosure to be had and may make such other order as may be
just.
(g) Limitation of issues of fact for trial. If a motion for summary
judgment is denied or is granted in part, the court, by examining the
papers before it and, in the discretion of the court, by interrogating
counsel, shall, if practicable, ascertain what facts are not in dispute
or are incontrovertible. It shall thereupon make an order specifying
such facts and they shall be deemed established for all purposes in the
action. The court may make any order as may aid in the disposition of
the action.
(h) Standards for summary judgment in certain cases involving public
petition and participation. A motion for summary judgment, in which the
moving party has demonstrated that the action, claim, cross claim or
counterclaim subject to the motion is an action involving public
petition and participation, as defined in paragraph (a) of subdivision
one of section seventy-six-a of the civil rights law, shall be granted
unless the party responding to the motion demonstrates that the action,
claim, cross claim or counterclaim has a substantial basis in fact and
law or is supported by a substantial argument for an extension,
modification or reversal of existing law. The court shall grant
preference in the hearing of such motion.
(i) Standards for summary judgment in certain cases involving licensed
architects, engineers, land surveyors or landscape architects. A motion
for summary judgment, in which the moving party has demonstrated that
the action, claim, cross claim or counterclaim subject to the motion is
an action in which a notice of claim must be served on a licensed
architect, engineer, land surveyor or landscape architect pursuant to
the provisions of subdivision one of section two hundred fourteen of
this chapter, shall be granted unless the party responding to the motion
demonstrates that a substantial basis in fact and in law exists to
believe that the performance, conduct or omission complained of such
licensed architect, engineer, land surveyor or landscape architect or
such firm as set forth in the notice of claim was negligent and that
such performance, conduct or omission was a proximate cause of personal
injury, wrongful death or property damage complained of by the claimant
or is supported by a substantial argument for an extension, modification
or reversal of existing law. The court shall grant a preference in the
hearing of such motion.
S 3213. Motion for summary judgment in lieu of complaint. When an
action is based upon an instrument for the payment of money only or upon
any judgment, the plaintiff may serve with the summons a notice of
motion for summary judgment and the supporting papers in lieu of a
complaint. The summons served with such motion papers shall require the
defendant to submit answering papers on the motion within the time
provided in the notice of motion. The minimum time such motion shall be
noticed to be heard shall be as provided by subdivision (a) of rule 320
for making an appearance, depending upon the method of service. If the
plaintiff sets the hearing date of the motion later than the minimum
time therefor, he may require the defendant to serve a copy of his
answering papers upon him within such extended period of time, not
exceeding ten days, prior to such hearing date. No default judgment may
be entered pursuant to subdivision (a) of section 3215 prior to the
hearing date of the motion. If the motion is denied, the moving and
answering papers shall be deemed the complaint and answer, respectively,
unless the court orders otherwise.
Rule. 3214. Motions heard by judge supervising disclosure; stay of
disclosure. (a) Judge supervising disclosure. Unless the chief
administrator of the courts has, by rule, provided otherwise, if a case
has been assigned to a judge to supervise disclosure pursuant to section
3104, all motions preliminary to trial shall be referred to such judge
whenever practicable.
(b) Stay of disclosure. Service of a notice of motion under rule 3211,
3212, or section 3213 stays disclosure until determination of the motion
unless the court orders otherwise. If the motion is based solely on the
defense that the summons and complaint, summons with notice, or notice
of petition and petition was not properly served, disclosure shall not
be stayed unless the court orders otherwise.
S 3215. Default judgment. (a) Default and entry. When a defendant has
failed to appear, plead or proceed to trial of an action reached and
called for trial, or when the court orders a dismissal for any other
neglect to proceed, the plaintiff may seek a default judgment against
him. If the plaintiff`s claim is for a sum certain or for a sum which
can by computation be made certain, application may be made to the clerk
within one year after the default. The clerk, upon submission of the
requisite proof, shall enter judgment for the amount demanded in the
complaint or stated in the notice served pursuant to subdivision (b) of
rule 305, plus costs and interest. Upon entering a judgment against less
than all defendants, the clerk shall also enter an order severing the
action as to them. When a plaintiff has failed to proceed to trial of
an action reached and called for trial, or when the court orders a
dismissal for any other neglect to proceed, the defendant may make
application to the clerk within one year after the default and the
clerk, upon submission of the requisite proof, shall enter judgment for
costs. Where the case is not one in which the clerk can enter judgment,
the plaintiff shall apply to the court for judgment.
(b) Procedure before court. The court, with or without a jury, may
make an assessment or take an account or proof, or may direct a
reference. When a reference is directed, the court may direct that the
report be returned to it for further action or, except where otherwise
prescribed by law, that judgment be entered by the clerk in accordance
with the report without any further application. Except in a matrimonial
action, no finding of fact in writing shall be necessary to the entry of
a judgment on default. The judgment shall not exceed in amount or differ
in type from that demanded in the complaint or stated in the notice
served pursuant to subdivision (b) of rule 305.
(c) Default not entered within one year. If the plaintiff fails to
take proceedings for the entry of judgment within one year after the
default, the court shall not enter judgment but shall dismiss the
complaint as abandoned, without costs, upon its own initiative or on
motion, unless sufficient cause is shown why the complaint should not be
dismissed. A motion by the defendant under this subdivision does not
constitute an appearance in the action.

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Article 32 Continued . . .
(d) Multiple defendants. Whenever a defendant has answered and one or
more other defendants have failed to appear, plead, or proceed to trial
of an action reached and called for trial, notwithstanding the
provisions of subdivision (c) of this section, upon application to the
court within one year after the default of any such defendant, the court
may enter an ex parte order directing that proceedings for the entry of
a judgment or the making of an assessment, the taking of an account or
proof, or the direction of a reference be conducted at the time of or
following the trial or other disposition of the action against the
defendant who has answered. Such order shall be served on the defaulting
defendant in such manner as shall be directed by the court.
(e) Place of application to court. An application to the court under
this section may be made, except where otherwise prescribed by rules of
the chief administrator of the courts, by motion at any trial term in
which the action is triable or at any special term in which a motion in
the action could be made. Any reference shall be had in the county in
which the action is triable, unless the court orders otherwise.
(f) Proof. On any application for judgment by default, the applicant
shall file proof of service of the summons and the complaint, or a
summons and notice served pursuant to subdivision (b) of rule 305 or
subdivision (a) of rule 316, and proof by affidavit made by the party of
the facts constituting the claim, the default and the amount due. Where
a verified complaint has been served it may be used as the affidavit of
the facts constituting the claim and the amount due; in such case, an
affidavit as to the default shall be made by the party or his attorney.
When jurisdiction is based on an attachment of property, the affidavit
must state that an order of attachment granted in the action has been
levied on the property of the defendant, describe the property and state
its value. Proof of mailing the notice required by subdivision (f),
where applicable, shall also be filed.
(g) Notice. 1. Except as otherwise provided with respect to specific
actions, whenever application is made to the court or to the clerk, any
defendant who has appeared is entitled to at least five days` notice of
the time and place of the application, and if more than one year has
elapsed since the default any defendant who has not appeared is entitled
to the same notice unless the court orders otherwise. The court may
dispense with the requirement of notice when a defendant who has
appeared has failed to proceed to trial of an action reached and called
for trial.
2. Where an application for judgment must be made to the court, the
defendant who has failed to appear may serve on the plaintiff at any
time before the motion for judgment is heard a written demand for notice
of any reference or assessment by a jury which may be granted on the
motion. Such a demand does not constitute an appearance in the action.
Thereupon at least five days` notice of the time and place of the
reference or assessment by a jury shall be given to the defendant by
service on the person whose name is subscribed to the demand, in the
manner prescribed for service of papers generally.
3. (i) When a default judgment based upon nonappearance is sought
against a natural person in an action based upon nonpayment of a
contractual obligation an affidavit shall be submitted that additional
notice has been given by or on behalf of the plaintiff at least twenty
days before the entry of such judgment, by mailing a copy of the summons
by first-class mail to the defendant at his place of residence in an
envelope bearing the legend "personal and confidential" and not
indicating on the outside of the envelope that the communication is from
an attorney or concerns an alleged debt. In the event such mailing is
returned as undeliverable by the post office before the entry of a
default judgment, or if the place of residence of the defendant is
unknown, a copy of the summons shall then be mailed in the same manner
to the defendant at the defendant`s place of employment if known; if
neither the place of residence nor the place of employment of the
defendant is known, then the mailing shall be to the defendant at his
last known residence.
(ii) The additional notice may be mailed simultaneously with or after
service of the summons on the defendant. An affidavit of mailing
pursuant to this paragraph shall be executed by the person mailing the
notice and shall be filed with the judgment. Where there has been
compliance with the requirements of this paragraph, failure of the
defendant to receive the additional notice shall not preclude the entry
of default judgment.
(iii) This requirement shall not apply to cases in the small claims
part of any court or to any summary proceeding to recover possession of
real property or to actions affecting title to real property.
4. (i) When a default judgment based upon non-appearance is sought
against a domestic or authorized foreign corporation which has been
served pursuant to paragraph (b) of section three hundred six of the
business corporation law, an affidavit shall be submitted that an
additional service of the summons by first class mail has been made upon
the defendant corporation at its last known address at least twenty days
before the entry of judgment.
(ii) The additional service of the summons by mail may be made
simultaneously with or after the service of the summons on the defendant
corporation pursuant to paragraph (b) of section three hundred six of
the business corporation law, and shall be accompanied by a notice to
the corporation that service is being made or has been made pursuant to
that provision. An affidavit of mailing pursuant to this paragraph shall
be executed by the person mailing the summons and shall be filed with
the judgment. Where there has been compliance with the requirements of
this paragraph, failure of the defendant corporation to receive the
additional service of summons and notice provided for by this paragraph
shall not preclude the entry of default judgment.
(iii) This requirement shall not apply to cases in the small claims
part or commercial claims part of any court, or to any summary
proceeding to recover possession of real property, or to actions
affecting title to real property.
(h) Judgment for excess where counterclaim interposed. In an action
upon a contract where the complaint demands judgment for a sum of money
only, if the answer does not deny the plaintiff`s claim but sets up a
counterclaim demanding an amount less than the plaintiff`s claim, the
plaintiff upon filing with the clerk an admission of the counterclaim
may take judgment for the excess as upon a default.
(i) Default judgment for failure to comply with stipulation of
settlement. 1. Where, after commencement of an action, a stipulation of
settlement is made, providing, in the event of failure to comply with
the stipulation, for entry without further notice of a judgment in a
specified amount with interest, if any, from a date certain, the clerk
shall enter judgment on the stipulation and an affidavit as to the
failure to comply with the terms thereof, together with a complaint or a
concise statement of the facts on which the claim was based.
2. Where, after commencement of an action, a stipulation of settlement
is made, providing, in the event of failure to comply with the
stipulation, for entry without further notice of a judgment dismissing
the action, the clerk shall enter judgment on the stipulation and an
affidavit as to the failure to comply with the terms thereof, together
with the pleadings or a concise statement of the facts on which the
claim and the defense were based.
Rule 3216. Want of prosecution. (a) Where a party unreasonably
neglects to proceed generally in an action or otherwise delays in the
prosecution thereof against any party who may be liable to a separate
judgment, or unreasonably fails to serve and file a note of issue, the
court, on its own initiative or upon motion, may dismiss the party`s
pleading on terms. Unless the order specifies otherwise, the dismissal
is not on the merits.
(b) No dismissal shall be directed under any portion of subdivision
(a) of this rule and no court initiative shall be taken or motion made
thereunder unless the following conditions precedent have been complied
with:
(1) Issue must have been joined in the action;
(2) One year must have elapsed since the joinder of issue;
(3) The court or party seeking such relief, as the case may be, shall
have served a written demand by registered or certified mail requiring
the party against whom such relief is sought to resume prosecution of
the action and to serve and file a note of issue within ninety days
after receipt of such demand, and further stating that the default by
the party upon whom such notice is served in complying with such demand
within said ninety day period will serve as a basis for a motion by the
party serving said demand for dismissal as against him for unreasonably
neglecting to proceed.
(c) In the event that the party upon whom is served the demand
specified in subdivision (b) (3) of this rule serves and files a note of
issue within such ninety day period, the same shall be deemed sufficient
compliance with such demand and diligent prosecution of the action; and
in such event, no such court initiative shall be taken and no such
motion shall be made, and if taken or made, the court initiative or
motion to dismiss shall be denied. (d) After an action has been placed
on the calendar by the service and filing of a note of issue, with or
without any such demand, provided, however, if such demand has been
served, within the said ninety day period, the action may not be
dismissed by reason of any neglect, failure or delay in prosecution of
the action prior to the said service and filing of such note of issue.
(e) In the event that the party upon whom is served the demand
specified in subdivision (b) (3) of this rule fails to serve and file a
note of issue within such ninety day period, the court may take such
initiative or grant such motion unless the said party shows justifiable
excuse for the delay and a good and meritorious cause of action.
(f) The provisions of this rule shall not apply to proceedings within
rule thirty-four hundred four.
Rule 3217. Voluntary discontinuance. (a) Without an order. Any party
asserting a claim may discontinue it without an order
1. by serving upon all parties to the action a notice of
discontinuance at any time before a responsive pleading is served or
within twenty days after service of the pleading asserting the claim,
whichever is earlier, and filing the notice with proof of service with
the clerk of the court; or
2. by filing with the clerk of the court before the case has been
submitted to the court or jury a stipulation in writing signed by the
attorneys of record for all parties, provided that no party is an
infant, incompetent person for whom a committee has been appointed or
conservatee and no person not a party has an interest in the subject
matter of the action; or
3. by filing with the clerk of the court before the case has been
submitted to the court or jury a certificate or notice of discontinuance
stating that any parcel of land which is the subject matter of the
action is to be excluded pursuant to title three of article eleven of
the real property tax law.
(b) By order of court. Except as provided in subdivision (a), an
action shall not be discontinued by a party asserting a claim except
upon order of the court and upon terms and conditions, as the court
deems proper. After the cause has been submitted to the court or jury
to determine the facts the court may not order an action discontinued
except upon the stipulation of all parties appearing in the action.
(c) Effect of discontinuance. Unless otherwise stated in the notice,
stipulation or order of discontinuance, the discontinuance is without
prejudice, except that a discontinuance by means of notice operates as
an adjudication on the merits if the party has once before discontinued
by any method an action based on or including the same cause of action
in a court of any state or the United States.
* (d) All notices, stipulations, or certificates pursuant to this rule
shall be filed with the county clerk by the defendant.
* NB Effective July 14, 2003
S 3218. Judgment by confession. (a) Affidavit of defendant. Except as
provided in section thirty-two hundred one, a judgment by confession may
be entered, without an action, either for money due or to become due, or
to secure the plaintiff against a contingent liability in behalf of the
defendant, or both, upon an affidavit executed by the defendant;
1. stating the sum for which judgment may be entered, authorizing the
entry of judgment, and stating the county where the defendant resides or
if he is a non-resident, the county in which entry is authorized;
2. if the judgment to be confessed is for money due or to become due,
stating concisely the facts out of which the debt arose and showing that
the sum confessed is justly due or to become due; and
3. if the judgment to be confessed is for the purpose of securing the
plaintiff against a contingent liability, stating concisely the facts
constituting the liability and showing that the sum confessed does not
exceed the amount of the liability.
(b) Entry of judgment. At any time within three years after the
affidavit is executed, it may be filed with the clerk of the county
where the defendant stated in his affidavit that he resided when it was
executed or, if the defendant was then a non-resident, with the clerk of
the county designated in the affidavit. Thereupon the clerk shall enter
a judgment in the supreme court for the sum confessed. He shall tax
costs to the amount of fifteen dollars, besides disbursements taxable in
an action. The judgment may be docketed and enforced in the same manner
and with the same effect as a judgment in an action in the supreme
court. No judgment by confession may be entered after the defendant`s
death.
(c) Execution where the judgment is not all due. Where the debt for
which the judgment is entered is not all due, execution may be issued
only for the sum which has become due. The execution shall be in the
form prescribed for an execution upon a judgment for the full amount
recovered, except that it shall direct the sheriff to collect only the
sum due, stating the amount with interest and the costs of the judgment.
Notwithstanding the issuance and collection of such an execution, the
judgment shall remain in force as security for the sum or sums to become
due after the execution is issued. When further sums become due, further
executions may be issued in the same manner.
(d) Confession by joint debtors. One or more joint debtors may confess
a judgment for a joint debt due or to become due. Where all the joint
debtors do not unite in the confession, the judgment shall be entered
and enforced against only those who confessed it and it is not a bar to
an action against the other joint debtors upon the same demand.
Rule 3219. Tender. At any time not later than ten days before trial,
any party against whom a cause of action based upon contract, expressed
or implied, is asserted, and against whom a separate judgment may be
taken, may, without court order, deposit with the clerk of the court for
safekeeping, an amount deemed by him to be sufficient to satisfy the
claim asserted against him, and serve upon the claimant a written tender
of payment to satisfy such claim. A copy of the written tender shall be
filed with the clerk when the money is so deposited. The clerk shall
place money so received in the safe or vault of the court to be provided
for the safekeeping thereof, there to be kept by him until withdrawal by
claimant or return to the depositor or payment thereof to the county
treasurer or commissioner of finance of the city of New York, as
hereinafter provided. Within ten days after such deposit the claimant
may withdraw the amount deposited upon filing a duly acknowledged
statement that the withdrawal is in satisfaction of the claim. The
clerk shall thereupon enter judgment dismissing the pleading setting
forth the claim, without costs.
Where there is no withdrawal within such ten-day period, the amount
deposited shall, upon request be repaid to the party who deposited it.
If the tender is not accepted and the claimant fails to obtain a more
favorable judgment, he shall not recover interest or costs from the time
of the offer, but shall pay costs for defending against the claim from
that time. A tender shall not be made known to the jury.
Money received by the clerk of the court for safekeeping as
hereinabove provided and later withdrawn by claimant or repaid to the
depositor pursuant to the provisions hereof shall not be deemed paid
into court. If the deposit is neither withdrawn by claimant nor
returned to the depositor upon his request at the expiration of the
ten-day period, the amount of such deposit shall be deemed paid into
court as of the day following the expiration of the ten-day period and
the clerk shall pay the amount of the deposit to the county treasurer or
commissioner of finance of the city of New York, in accordance with
section twenty-six hundred one of the civil practice law and rules.
Withdrawal of such amount thereafter shall be in accordance with the
provisions of rule twenty-six hundred seven. Fees for services rendered
therein by a county treasurer or the commissioner of finance of the city
of New York are set forth in section eight thousand ten.
Rule 3220. Offer to liquidate damages conditionally. At any time not
later than ten days before trial, any party against whom a cause of
action based upon contract, express or implied, is asserted may serve
upon the claimant a written offer to allow judgment to be taken against
him for a sum therein specified, with costs then accrued, if the party
against whom the claim is asserted fails in his defense. If within ten
days thereafter the claimant serves a written notice that he accepts the
offer, and damages are awarded to him on the trial, they shall be
assessed in the sum specified in the offer. If the offer is not so
accepted and the claimant fails to obtain a more favorable judgment, he
shall pay the expenses necessarily incurred by the party against whom
the claim is asserted, for trying the issue of damages from the time of
the offer. The expenses shall be ascertained by the judge or referee
before whom the case is tried. An offer under this rule shall not be
made known to the jury.
Rule 3221. Offer to compromise. Except in a matrimonial action, at any
time not later than ten days before trial, any party against whom a
claim is asserted, and against whom a separate judgment may be taken,
may serve upon the claimant a written offer to allow judgment to be
taken against him for a sum or property or to the effect therein
specified, with costs then accrued. If within ten days thereafter the
claimant serves a written notice that he accepts the offer, either party
may file the summons, complaint and offer, with proof of acceptance, and
thereupon the clerk shall enter judgment accordingly. If the offer is
not accepted and the claimant fails to obtain a more favorable judgment,
he shall not recover costs from the time of the offer, but shall pay
costs from that time. An offer of judgment shall not be made known to
the jury.
Rule 3222. Action on submitted facts. (a) Commencement. An action,
except a matrimonial action, may be commenced by filing with the clerk a
submission of the controversy, acknowledged by all parties in the form
required to entitle a deed to be recorded. The submission shall consist
of a case, containing a statement of the facts upon which the
controversy depends, and a statement that the controversy is real and
that the submission is made in good faith for the purpose of determining
the rights of the parties. If made to the supreme court, the submission
shall specify the particular county clerk with whom the papers are to be
filed.
(b) Subsequent proceedings. Subsequent proceedings shall be had
according to the civil practice law and rules except that:
1. an order of attachment or a preliminary injunction shall not be
granted;
2. the controversy shall be determined on the case alone;
3. if the submission is made to the supreme court, it shall be heard
and determined either by the court, or by the appellate division, or,
with his consent, by a specified judge or referee, as the parties may
stipulate;
4. on such a submission the court, judge or referee may find facts by
inference from the facts stipulated; and
5. if the statement of facts in the case is not sufficient to enable
the court to enter judgment the submission shall be dismissed or the
court shall allow the filing of an additional statement.