Case ID: cow_7/html/0516-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "\n      Curia.\n    ", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Lynes and Lynes against Schooley and Hoyt.
    ALBANY,
    Oct. 1827.
    Serving noly® thTagent during vacaneys ^eslffing within4° mües of each other, is not such upmThelttOTney whose served, to deny tive receipt, on aside a default regard* of the notice.
    The defendants’ attorney, not knowing where the plain^s’ attorney resided, caused a notice of retainer to be served, in vacation, on his (the plaintiffs’ attorney’s) agent,
    The attorneys, in fact, resided within 40 miles of each other. And now, on an affidavit by the defendants’ attor- . . , that he verily believed this notice had reached the plaintiffs’ attorney before he entered a default for want of a plea, but that a default had been entered without serving him (the defendants’ attorney) with the copy of a declaramotion was made to set aside the default, &c., for irregularity. The plaintiffs’ attorney made an affidavit to resist the motion ; but did not deny that he had received the notice of retainer before the default entered. The case was likened, on the. part of the defendants, to a notice sent by mail, which, on a similar affidavit, not contradicted as to the believed receipt of the notice,- will save a default. (2 Cain. 384; 1 John. Cas. 413 ; 1 Cain. 67; 2 id. 386.)
    
      A. Gregory, for the motion.
    
      A. Tyler, contra,
    cited 3 John. 149.
   Curia.

It is true, a plea or notice sent by mail, the re* ceipt of which is not denied, will save a default. But this *notice was not sent by mail. The mere belief that the notice was received is not sfficient. Probable grounds for the belief must be shown; and we then put the opposite ■attorney to deny the receipt. This practice should not be extended. When a party comes to set aside a default for irregularity, he should be holden to proof at least that he sent his papers in the ordinary course. This notice was not so sent. It was served on the agent, with whom there was no duty or undertaking to transmit it to his principal. He might have treated it as waste paper. The attorney might as well rely on his belief, founded on a chance con•veyance by a stranger. The motion cannot be granted for irregularity.

But it was granted on other grounds, upon terms.

Buie accordingly. 
      
       The New York Code provides that notices shall be in writing; and notices and other papers may be served on the party or attorney, in the manner prescribed in the next three sections, where not otherwise provided by this act.
      The service may be personal, or by delivery to the party or attorney on whom the service is required to be made, or it may be as follows: 1. If upon an attorney, it may be made during his absence from his office, by leaving the paper with his clerk therein, or with a person having charge thereof; or when there is no person in the office, by leaving it, between the hours of six in the morning and nine in the evening, in a conspicuous place in the office, or if it be not open, so as to admit of such service, then by leaving it at the attorney’s-residence, with some person of suitable age and discretion. 2. If upon a party, it may be made by leaving the paper at his residence, between the hours of six in the morning and nine in the evening, with some person of suitable age and discretion.
      Service by mail may be made, where the person making the service, and the person on whom it is to be made reside in different places, between which there is a regular communication by mail.
      In case of service by mail, the paper must be deposited' in the post-office, addressed to the person on whom it is to be served, at his place of residence, and the postage paid.
      Where the service is by mail, it shall be double the time required in cases of personal service. (N. Y. Code, ch. 11, secs. 369, 370, 371, 372, 373.)