Case Name: Bertha Spira, Respondent, v. D. Harris 187th St. Market, Inc., Appellant
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1963-04-18
Citations: 18 A.D.2d 1063
Docket Number: 
Parties: Bertha Spira, Respondent, v. D. Harris 187th St. Market, Inc., Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 18
Pages: 1063–1063

Head Matter:
Bertha Spira, Respondent, v. D. Harris 187th St. Market, Inc., Appellant.

Opinion:
Order, entered on December 24, 1962, unanimously reversed on the law and on the facts, with $20 costs and disbursements to appellant, and the complaint dismissed with leave to the plaintiff to move to vacate the dismissal within 30 days of the entry of the order hereon, on proper papers, including an affidavit of merits, and upon the further condition that plaintiff consent to the transfer of the action to the Civil Court. In this personal injuries action, a motion to dismiss for failure to prosecute was made 18 months after issue was joined. Plaintiff's present attorney admits that no affirmative action had been taken to place the cause on the calendar. The excuse is offered that the plaintiff's original attorney was disbarred shortly after issue was joined, and that there was a period of six months in which the plaintiff was not represented, until present counsel was retained. Only an interval of approximately six months elapsed thereafter. While under these circumstances such an excuse might be considered a reasonable explanation for the delay, it has been repeatedly held that plaintiff's failure to furnish an affidavit of merits must lead to a dismissal of the action. . (Rist v. 234 East 33rd Corp., 4 A D 2d 867.) The attorney for the plaintiff states it is his view that the Civil Court has ample jurisdiction to compensate plaintiff for any injuries suffered and it is his intention, if he prevails, to seek permission for removal to that court. Accordingly, in view of the foregoing, the order is reversed upon the aforementioned conditions. Settle order on notice. Concur — Breitel, J. P., McNally, Stevens, Eager and Steuer, JJ.