Case ID: misc_10/html/0304-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Gtegerioh, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Harriet D. Hallett v. Theodore Hallett.
    (New York Common Pleas
    Special Term,
    November, 1894.)
    An assignee oí a cause of action is not bound to continue the prosecution of an action brought thereon by his assignor after the death of the latter, and can discontinue the same without costs, especially where the defendant never appeared in such action.
    An action which has been regularly discontinued is no bar to a subsequent action upon the same cause of action, and an answer in the latter action alleging the pendency of the former is unfounded in fact and should be stricken out as sham.
    Motion to strike out the answer as sham.
    
      James W. Treadwell, for plaintiff and motion.
    
      L. B. Bunnell, for defendant, opposed.
   Gtegerioh, J.

This is a motion to strike out as sham and frivolous the answer in this action. The complaint is upon a promissory note made by the defendant to the order of one Emeline D. Hallett, who, it is alleged, transferred the same to the plaintiff on or about the 12th day of May, 1894. The answer does not deny any of the allegations of the complaint, but merely sets up that on and prior to the 30th day of April, 1894, said Emeline D. Hallett was the owner and holder of said note, when an action was brought by her in this court against the defendant to recover the amount thereof, which action, it is alleged, is still pending, and which pendency the defendant pleads as a defense and bar to any recovery by the plaintiff as against the defendant in this action.

It appears conclusively from the papers submitted that the defendant never appeared, demurred or answered in the action brought by said Emeline D. Hallett; that after the commencement thereof the cause of action was duly transferred and assigned to the plaintiff in this action by said Emeline D. Hallett^ who subsequently died ; that no letters testamentary or of administration have been issued upon her estate, and that said note and cause of action form no part of the estate. That on the 6th day of. September, 1894, upon the application of the present plaintiff in this action, and upon proof of the facts above stated, this court made an order discontinuing said action, without costs, which order was duly entered with the clerk of this court, and a copy thereof, together with notice of entry, was personally served upon the defendant on the 11th day of September, 1894, and that subsequent to such discontinuance the present action was commenced.

The defendant argues that the first action is still pending; but the authorities do not favor his contention. The note and cause of action having been transferred to the plaintiff, she became the “ successor in interest ” of the said Emeline D. Hallett. Higgins v. Mayor, 136 N. Y. 214. As the personal representatives of the latter had no interest in the same, the plaintiff, and not they, were entitled to revive the action (Coit v. Campbell, 82 N. Y. 509, 516, 517 ; Higgins v. Mayor, supra) ; but she was not bound to continue the prosecution of the suit brought by her transferror, and could discontinue the same (Banta v. Marcellus, 2 Barb. 373), without costs, especially as the defendant had never appeared therein. Smith v. White, 7 Hill, 520 ; Averill v. Patterson, 10 N. Y. 500, 502.

It thus' appearing beyond controversy that the first action had been regularly discontinued when this action was begun, it is self-evident that the allegations of the answer as to the pendency of another action are unfounded in fact. Consequently the same must be stricken out as sham. Clark v. Clark, 7 Robt. 276 ; Roome v. Nicholson, 8 Abb. Pr. (N. S.) 343.

Motion granted, with ten dollars costs.