Case ID: nys_116/html/0663-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

HINDS, NOBLE & ELDREDGE v. BONNER et al.
    (Supreme Court, Appellate Term.
    May 7, 1909.)
    1. Pleading (§ 121)—Answer—Denial of Knowledge or Information.
    An answer denying that defendants have any knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the allegations of the complaint is equivalent to a denial of knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to “each” material allegation, within the requirements of Code Civ. Proc. § 500, and is sufficient.
    [Ed. Note.—For other cases, see Pleading, Cent. Dig. §§ 245-248; Dec. Dig. § 121.*]
    2. Pleading (§ 367*)—Motions.
    The remedy for an indefinite denial is by motion to make it more definite and certain.
    [Ed. Note.—For other cases, see Pleading, Cent. Dig. § 1183; Dec. Dig. § 367.*]
    Appeal from City Court of New York, Special Term.
    Action by Hinds, Noble & Eldredge against Robert E. Bonner and others. Erom an order granting plaintiffs judgment on the pleadings, defendants appeal.
    Reversed.
    Argued before GILDERSLEEVE, P. J., and DAYTON and GOFF, JJ.
    Underwood, Van Vorst & Hoyt (Ralph G. Miller, of counsel), for appellants.
    Frank C. Mebane (Isaac N. Miller, of counsel), for respondents.
    
      
      For other cases see same topic & § number In Dec. & Am, Digs. 1907 to date, & Rep’r Indexes
    
   PER CURIAM.

The complaint sets forth a cause of action for certain plates. The answer is as follows:

“The defendants, * * * through their attorney, * * * answering the complaint herein, allege: They deny that they have any knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the allegations contained in the complaint. Wherefore defendants ask that the said complaint be dismissed, with costs.”

When the case came on for trial the plaintiffs moved for judgment on the pleadings, on the ground that the answer was insufficient and raised no issue, which motion was granted, and an order granting judgment upon the pleadings for the relief demanded in the complaint, with costs, was entered, from which order defendants appeal.

Section 500 of the Code of Civil Procedure provides that:

“The answer of the defendant must contain a general or specific denial of each material allegation of the complaint controverted by the defendant, or of any knowledge or information thereof sufficient to form a belief.”

It is a well-known rule that pleadings must be liberally construed; but plaintiff claims that the form' of the answer here does not come within the essential requirements of the Code, for the reason that it does not deny any knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to each material allegation of the complaint. It seems to us that this is a narrow and technical view, for the reasonable' inference to be drawn from the wording of the answer is that there is a denial of any knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to all the allegations of the complaint, which necessarily includes each material allegation.

If the answer was too indefinite, plaintiff had a remedy by motion to make it more definite and certain; but we think it was error to hold it to be frivolous and give judgment upon the pleadings.

Order reversed, with $10 costs and disbursements, and motion denied, with $10 cost's.