Case Name: In the Matter of the Estate of Hannah Shinder, Deceased
Court: New York Surrogate's Court
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1958-12-09
Citations: 15 Misc. 2d 429
Docket Number: 
Parties: In the Matter of the Estate of Hannah Shinder, Deceased.
Judges: 
Reporter: New York Miscellaneous Reports
Volume: 15
Pages: 429–430

Head Matter:
In the Matter of the Estate of Hannah Shinder, Deceased.
Surrogate’s Court, New York County,
December 9, 1958.
Arthur N. Field, petitioner in person.
Krause, Kirsch, Gross é Keilpern for Marianne Lowenthal and another, respondents.

Opinion:
S. Samuel Di Falco, S.
Petitioner in this proceeding under section 231-a of the Surrogate's Court Act to have his compensation for legal services fixed moves to strike out respondents' demand for a jury trial. Respondents, who are the executrix and sole legatees under the will, filed an answer in which, among other matters, a counterclaim requesting money damages based upon fraud and deceit was pleaded. They contend that they have a right to a jury trial on the basis of that counterclaim. Their contention is overruled.
There is no' constitutional right to a jury trial in a proceeding under section 231-a of the Surrogate's Court Act which is a proceeding of an equitable nature. (Matter of Richards, 5 A D 2d 124, 125; Matter of Davis, 10 Misc. 2d 347.) A counterclaim in an equity isuit did not give rise to a right to a jury trial at common law. (Matter of Blair, 242 App. Div. 689.) The motion is accordingly granted.
Submit order on notice.