Case Name: Sebastian G. Brinkman v. Henry S. Eisler
Court: New York City Court
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1889-10-02
Citations: 26 N.Y. St. Rep. 94
Docket Number: 
Parties: Sebastian G. Brinkman v. Henry S. Eisler.
Judges: 
Reporter: New York State Reporter
Volume: 26
Pages: 94–94

Head Matter:
Sebastian G. Brinkman v. Henry S. Eisler.
(City Court of New York, Trial Term,
Filed October 2, 1889.)
Contract — To do illegal act cannot be eecoveeed upon. A contract to erect an awning across a sidewalk in New York city is an illegal one, and no recovery can Be had thereon.
Motion for new trial upon the minutes.
Benno Loewy, for motion.

Opinion:
Nehrbas, J.
The contract sued upon was for the erection of an awning on the Bowery, a public street, highway and thoroughfare in the city of New York, and across the sidewalk thereof. The erection of such awnings is expressly prohibited by an ordinance of the mayor, aldermen and commonalty of this city, which was read in evidence. By § 85 of the consolidation act, " all persons offending against any ordinance passed by the common council shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and be punished, upon conviction, by a fine," etc. Hence, any attempted erection of an awning across the sidewalk of the Bowery is an illegal act. The plaintiff did attempt to erect such an awning, and was several times interrupted by the police, and it was never, in fact, completed. Hpon the trial the case was allowed to go to the jury, who found a verdict in plaintiff's favor for the amount claimed, with several deductions. I think it was error to permit the jury to pass upon the case, and I am of opinion that the plaintiff should have been non-suited. Where a person agrees to do an unlawful act, and incurs expense, he cannot recover either on the illegal contract, or for a quantum meruit. The law leaves the parties where they have placed themselves. Materne v. Horwitz, 101 N. Y., 469; 1 City Court Rep., 167, and cases cited.
For these reasons, the verdict will be set aside, and a new trial granted, with costs to abide the event.