Case Name: HASKELL v. SMITH
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Term
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1904-02-23
Citations: 86 N.Y.S. 779
Docket Number: 
Parties: HASKELL v. SMITH.
Judges: 
Reporter: West's New York Supplement
Volume: 86
Pages: 779–780

Head Matter:
HASKELL v. SMITH.
(Supreme Court, Appellate Term.
February 23, 1904.)
1. Action fob Sebvices—Unconscionable Contbact—Quantum Mebuit.
In an action on a contract for services which cannot be upheld because unconscionable, defendant 'may prove the value of services which plaintiff has shown were rendered under the contract.
Appeal from Municipal Court, Borough of Manhattan, Eighth District.
Action by Robert H. Haskell against Mary L. Smith. From a judgment for plaintiff, defendant appeals. Reversed.
Argued before FREEDMAN, P. J„ and GIEGERICH and McCAEE, JJ.
Robert H. Woody, for appellant.
Day, Van Zandt, Walsh & Webb (Mr. Webb, of counsel), for respondent.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM.
Upon a review of the evidence, we are of the opinion that the contract in suit is not fair and conscionable, and therefore cannot be upheld.
The court below permitted the plaintiff to show what services he rendered under the contract, but refused to allow the defendant to prove the value thereof. We think, under the circumstances, that this was error. Matter of Pieris, 82 App. Div. 466, 470, 81 N. Y. Supp. 927.
We are also of the opinion that the court erred in refusing to permit the defendant to prove the practice and procedure in the Second Department relative to condemnation proceedings, since such testimony-tended to show that the plaintiff had been guilty of neglect in the case. For these reasons the judgment must be reversed, and a new trial ordered, with costs to the appellant to abide the event.
Judgment reversed and new trial ordered, with costs to appellant to abide the event.