Case Name: Dunkin' Donuts Incorporated, Appellant, v. Reyes Corporation et al., Respondents
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1990-10-05
Citations: 166 A.D.2d 908
Docket Number: 
Parties: Dunkin’ Donuts Incorporated, Appellant, v Reyes Corporation et al., Respondents.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 166
Pages: 908–908

Head Matter:
Dunkin’ Donuts Incorporated, Appellant, v Reyes Corporation et al., Respondents.

Opinion:
Order unanimously reversed on the law without costs and motion denied. Memorandum: Supreme Court improvidently exercised its discretion in granting defendants' motion for removal and consolidation of a summary proceeding pending in Rochester City Court with an action for breach of a franchise agreement pending in Supreme Court. The threshold requirement to warrant the consolidation of the cases, namely, that a common question of law or fact exists, has not been met (see, CPLR 602 [a]; Bradford v Coleman Catholic High School, 110 AD2d 965; cf., Berman v Greenwood Vil. Community Dev., 156 AD2d 326). The obligation of the corporate defendant to pay rent under the lease is separate and independent from the obligations of defendants under the franchise agreement. Consolidation is not warranted by virtue of the affirmative defenses and counterclaims interposed by defendants in the respective actions. (Appeal from order of Supreme Court, Monroe County, Pat-low, J.—consolidation.) Present—Callahan, J. P., Denman, Boomer, Lawton and Davis, JJ.