Case Name: Phillips vs. Suydam and others
Court: New York Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1869-06-07
Citations: 54 Barb. 153
Docket Number: 
Parties: Phillips vs. Suydam and others.
Judges: 
Reporter: Barbour's Supreme Court Reports
Volume: 54
Pages: 153–155

Head Matter:
Phillips vs. Suydam and others.
Although section 172 of the Code gives to a defendant the right to serve an amended answer as of course, within the time therein prescribed, yet this right may he waived.
A party, except perhaps in certain instances where the public have an interest, may always waive a right to which he is entitled; and such waiver may be either by an express stipulation, or by doing some act inconsistent with an intention to claim his right.
When a party notices a cause for trial upon the pleadings as they stand, he will he considered as waiving the right to amend his pleading as of course, and will he regarded as having elected to stand hy the issue as then framed. CiiERKE, P. J., dissented.
APPEAL by the defendants from an order made at a special term, denying a motion made by tbe defendants for an order requiring the plaintiff’s attorney to receive an amended answer setting up the defense of usury. The action was upon a promissory note made by.one of the defendants and indorsed by the others. The answer in question was served upon the .plaintiff’s attorney before the expiration of twenty days from the service of the original answer, and after both parties had noticed the action for trial. The plaintiff’s attorney declined receiving the amended answer, on the ground that the defendants, by noticing the cause for trial, had waived their right to amend.
Justice Ingraham, before whom the motion was made, denied the same, for the following reasons: “¡Noticing the cause for trial prevented an amendment of the pleadings of the party giving the notice. The answer shows no defense, except that of usury. Under the circumstances of this case, the defendants should not be allowed to make that defense.”
P. W. Wildey, for the appellants.
J. B. Elwood, for the respondent.

Opinion:
Cardozo, J.
The 172d section of the Code undoubtedly gives the right to serve an amended pleading, as of course, .within the time therein prescribed; but a party, except perhaps in certain instances where the public have an interest, may always waive a right to which he is entitled, and such waiver may be either by an express stipulation or by doing some act inconsistent with an intention to claim his right. When a party notices a cause upon the pleadings as they stand, I think he must be considered as waiving the right to amend his pleading as of course, and must be regarded as having, elected to stand by the issue as then framed.
I think the order below should be affirmed,, with costs.
Geo. G. Barnard, J., concurred.