Case Name: Matter of the Application of Caroline B. Mitchell for a Writ of Mandamus v. The Northern Security Oil & Transportation Co., Respondent
Court: New York Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1904-07
Citations: 44 Misc. 514
Docket Number: 
Parties: Matter of the Application of Caroline B. Mitchell for a Writ of Mandamus v. The Northern Security Oil & Transportation Co., Respondent.
Judges: 
Reporter: New York Miscellaneous Reports
Volume: 44
Pages: 514–515

Head Matter:
Matter of the Application of Caroline B. Mitchell for a Writ of Mandamus v. The Northern Security Oil & Transportation Co., Respondent.
(Supreme Court, New York Special Term,
July, 1904.)
Inspection of the books of a foreign corporation — The' New York . courts cannot compel it — The remedy is in the State in. which the corporation was formed — Effect of the books being out of such State. .
The courts of the State of New York have not jurisdiction to grant,' upon an application by a stockholder of a foreign corporation, a writ of mandamus to compel an inspection by him • of the books and records of such corporation. ■ '
Such inspection is enforcible only by the courts of the State in which the corporation has its legal existence, and if the books are not within that State the corporation may be compelled to bring them therein.
Motion for a writ of mandamus.
Franklin Bien, for petitioner.
.Alexander Thain, for respondent.

Opinion:
Blanchard, J.
It was distinctly held in Matter of Rappleye, 43 App. Div. 84, for an inspection of the hooks and • records of the Farmers' Feed Company that the courts of this State have no jurisdiction to grant upon an application by a stockholder of a foreign corporation a writ of mandamus to compel an inspection by him of the books and records of such corporation, and that the right to such inspection is enforceable only by the courts of the State in which the corporation has its legal existence. An appeal was taken from such determination to the Court of Appeals, where the appeal was dismissed (161 N. Y. 615), and the law appears to be settled. In the proceeding at bar the petitioner alleges that she is a stockholder in the Northern Security Oil & Transportation Company, a corporation created by and under the laws of the State of Hew Jersey, and asks for a writ of mandamus permitting her to inspect the records and books of such corporation. The respondent admits that the corporation was organized under the laws of the State of Hew Jersey, but alleges that its business and its principal place of business, other than such as is required to be maintained in the State of Hew Jersey, is in the State of Texas, where the company owns its property and conducts its business in selling oil. In any event, it is a foreign corporation. The respondent also states that every book of said corpora* tion which would throw any light upon the financial transactions of the company is in the State of Texas, and as the respondent's statement, is not adequately refuted, I fail to see how the writ prayed for would benefit the petitioner. The petitioner is not without redress. She may apply to the courts of Hew Jersey. When a corporation of that State does business and keeps its books outside of the State it may be compelled to bring the books in for inspection of members. Huylar v. Cragin Cattle Co., 40 N. J. Eq. 392. The motion for a writ must be denied. Ho c
Motion denied, no costs.