Case Name: Julius H. Loewenstein et al., App'lts, v. Mac Shiff, Resp't
Court: New York City Court, General Term
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1894-04-23
Citations: 58 N.Y. St. Rep. 822
Docket Number: 
Parties: Julius H. Loewenstein et al., App’lts, v. Mac Shiff, Resp’t.
Judges: 
Reporter: New York State Reporter
Volume: 58
Pages: 822–823

Head Matter:
Julius H. Loewenstein et al., App’lts, v. Mac Shiff, Resp’t.
(New York City Court, General Term,
Filed April 23,1894.)
1. Bill of particulars—When granted.
The granting or denying of a motion for a bill of particulars must be determined by the facts and circumstances in each case.
2. Same.
The considerations, which should govern the court in granting or refusing a bill of particulars, stated. -
Metzgar & Tabor, for app’lts; Blumenstiel & Hirsch, for resp’t.

Opinion:
Newburger, J.
This action is brought to recover on three promissory notes made by defendant to the order of plaintiffs. The defendant's answer admits the making of the notes, but sets up as a distinct defense the execution by plaintiffs with other creditors of this defendant of a composition deed. The plaintiffs in their reply, admit the execution of the composition agreement, but allege that they were induced to sign the same by reason of the statements made by defendant, that his creditors agreed to accept the sum of thirty-five cents on the dollar in full for their claims, except those who had claims for less than $100 in amount, and that no creditor was to receive more than thirty-five cents on the dollar. That the defendant entered into a secret agreement with other creditors whose claims were larger in amount than $100 to pay their claims in full, or in greater sum than thirty-five per cent., and that the defendant did pay certain of his creditors more than thirty-five cents on the dollar. The appeal is taken from an order entered herein requiring the plaintiff to serve a bill of particulars setting forth the names of each creditor and the dates and amounts of each of such payments. The order was properly made. The granting or denying a motion for a bill of particulars must be determined by the facts and circumstances in each case, and the considerations which should govern the court in granting or refusing it, are for the purpose of furnishing an adverse party with information which is exclusively in the possession of the other, and which it is proper that such adverse party should have, that he may be prepared for trial and prevent surprise.
Upon the facts herein, the order appealed from must be affirmed, with costs.
All concur.