Case Name: The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States, Plaintiff, v. Irving Fillat and Another, Defendants
Court: New York Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1926-03-16
Citations: 127 Misc. 68
Docket Number: 
Parties: The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States, Plaintiff, v. Irving Fillat and Another, Defendants.
Judges: 
Reporter: New York Miscellaneous Reports
Volume: 127
Pages: 68–68

Head Matter:
The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States, Plaintiff, v. Irving Fillat and Another, Defendants.
Supreme Court, New York County,
March 16, 1926.
Alexander & Green [Peter C. Mann of counsel], for the plaintiff.
Max Levy, for the defendants.

Opinion:
Proskauer, J.
The plaintiff sues to rescind an insurance policy for fraud. The defendants counterclaim on the policy for loss under the disability clause. The plaintiff replies to the counterclaim by setting up the fraud alleged in the complaint. The defendants move for a jury trial of the issues raised by the answer and reply.
The plaintiff's action in equity is maintainable for the reasons set forth in my memorandum in Travelers Ins. Co. v. Snydecker (127 Misc. 66). The assertion of a suit for damages on the policy is in no sense a counterclaim to an action in equity to rescind the policy. It tends neither " to diminish or defeat the plaintiff's recovery." ° (Civ. Prac. Act, § 266.) At all events there is no occasion for framing issues. Under section 424 of the Civil Practice Act if the counterclaim is to be tried at all, it is to be on the issues directly raised by the reply, and that can occur only after the plaintiff has had its trial in equity.
Motion denied. Order signed.