Case Name: Nicholas S. Germanovich, Plaintiff, v. Bethlehem Steel Corporation et al., Defendants; Bethlehem Steel Corporation et al., Third-Party Plaintiffs-Respondents, v. Arric Corporation, Third-Party Defendant-Appellant
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 2000-03-29
Citations: 270 A.D.2d 863
Docket Number: Appeal No. 1
Parties: Nicholas S. Germanovich, Plaintiff, v Bethlehem Steel Corporation et al., Defendants. Bethlehem Steel Corporation et al., Third-Party Plaintiffs-Respondents, v Arric Corporation, Third-Party Defendant-Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 270
Pages: 863–863

Head Matter:
Nicholas S. Germanovich, Plaintiff, v Bethlehem Steel Corporation et al., Defendants. Bethlehem Steel Corporation et al., Third-Party Plaintiffs-Respondents, v Arric Corporation, Third-Party Defendant-Appellant.
(Appeal No. 1.)
[705 NYS2d 910]

Opinion:
—Judgment unanimously reversed on the law without costs and application dismissed. Memorandum: Supreme Court erred in granting the application of third-party plaintiffs for judgment against third-party defendant for attorneys' fees, costs and disbursements incurred in the defense of the primary action. Third-party plaintiffs brought their application after the primary action was settled and an unconditional stipulation of settlement signed by the parties was filed. Although a trial court has the power "to exercise supervisory control over all phases of pending actions and proceedings" (Teitelbaum Holdings v Gold, 48 NY2d 51, 54), it lacks jurisdiction to entertain a motion after the action has been "unequivocally terminated [by the execution of] an express, unconditional stipulation of discontinuance" (Teitelbaum Holdings v Gold, supra, at 56; see, Kurtz v Kurtz, 135 AD2d 615; Matter of Town of Johnstown v City of Gloversville, 36 AD2d 143, 145, lv dismissed 29 NY2d 639). (Appeal from Judgment of Supreme Court, Erie County, Notaro, J. — Counsel Fees.) Present — Pigott, Jr., P. J., Wisner, Scudder and Lawton, JJ.