Case ID: abbn-cas_23/html/0062-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Truax, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

NEWHALL v. APPLETON.
    
      N. Y. Superior Court; Special Term at Chambers,
    
    
      May, 1889.
    1. Security for costs—further security.] When a plaintiff who hag already given security for costs under the statute, by undertaking, is required to give further security in addition thereto, such further security must also be by undertaking.
    2. The same—deposit. ] It is only when the existing security is a money deposit, that a deposit can be received as a further security.
    3. The same—power of court.] Under the Code of Civil Procedure, the court has no inherent power apart from statute, to require security for costs.
    
    Motion to compel security for costs.
    
      Campbell & Paige, for the defendant and the motion.
    
      William W. Badger, for the plaintiff, opposed.
    
      
      The supreme court formerly had inherent power to do so, even in common-law actions and even since the revised statutes. Swift v. Collins, 1 Den. 659; People v. Oneida C. P., 8 Wend. 652; Dyer v. Dunivan, 3 How. Pr. 135. Chancery unquestionably had the same power. Its disavowal since the Code of Civil Procedure seems to have resulted from the idea that the Code codified the pre-existing common law rules, so as to take away all unexpressed power.
    
   Truax, J.

This is a motion to compel the plaintiff, ■who is a non-resident, to give additional security for costs. Five hundred dollars ivas deposited by plaintiff as security for costs, but was afterward obtained by him. He then gave an undertaking in the sum of $500 as security for costs. I am of the opinion that the fact that plaintiff has obtained the money that he deposited as security for costs distinguishes this case from the case of Honduras v. Soto. There is no longer any money on deposit as security for •costs. The plaintiff has given an undertaking, but the papers show that this undertaking is insufficient. Section •3,276 of the Code of Civil Procedure provides that any time after the allowance of an undertaking the court, upon satisfactory proof that the sum specified in the undertaking is insufficient, must make an order requiring the plaintiff to give an additional undertaking. Section 3,273 provides that the undertaking shall be in at least the sum of $250. This, by implication, authorizes the court, to order security in a sum greater than $250 if the affidavits show that the •costs will be more than that sum. Section 3,276 provides for an additional undertaking and does not provide for the deposit of a sum in lieu thereof.

It was in effect stated by the court of appeals, in Honduras v. Soto, that the power of the court to order security for costs depends upon statute,- “ and authority, therefore, .must be found in the statute, or it does not exist.”

It therefore follows that where a person has given an •undertaking he must, if the court sees fit, give an additional undertaking in the form prescribed by section 3,273, which undertaking must be at least $250.

The affidavits show that the costs will be at least $1,000, and for that reason I am of the opinion that the plaintiff ishould give another undertaking in the sum of $500. 
      
      112 N. Y. 310.