Case ID: ad2d_49/html/0515-02.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Waldom Construction Co., Inc., Respondent, v Uris 55 Water Street Company, Appellant.
   Order, Supreme Court, New York County, entered on January 2, 1975, which granted plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment made in lieu of serving a complaint (CPLR 3213), and judgment entered thereon on the same date, unanimously reversed, on the law, the judgment vacated, and the motion denied, without prejudice to any further proceedings after service of pleadings. Appellant shall recover of respondent $60 costs and disbursements of this appeal. The complaint shall be served within 20 days after service upon plaintiff of a copy of the order to be entered hereon, with notice of entry, and the answer shall be served within 20 days after service of the complaint. In our opinion the letter of July 22, 1974, written upon defendant’s letterhead, stating that a check had been prepared in final payment of work performed, and that the check would be remitted as soon as plaintiff signed a certificate of completion and returned it, does not qualify as an instrument for the payment of money only within the contemplation of CPLR 3213. (See Interman Ind. Prods, v R.S.M. Electron Power, 37 NY2d 151.) Therefore, plaintiff may not avail itself of the provisions of CPLR 3213. The merits of plaintiff’s claim have not been considered. Disposition on the merits must await service of pleadings and further proceedings thereon. Concur—Stevens, P. J., Kupferman, Murphy, Tilzer and Capozzoli, JJ.