Case Name: In the Matter of Russell Smith et al., Petitioners, v. Lawrence Knipel et al., Respondents
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 2017-06-28
Citations: 151 A.D.3d 1067
Docket Number: 
Parties: In the Matter of Russell Smith et al., Petitioners, v Lawrence Knipel et al., Respondents.
Judges: Balkin, J.R, Sgroi, Cohen and Duffy, JJ., concur.
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 151
Pages: 1067–1067

Head Matter:
In the Matter of Russell Smith et al., Petitioners, v Lawrence Knipel et al., Respondents.
[54 NYS3d 599]

Opinion:
Proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78 in the nature of prohibition, inter alia, to prohibit the respondent Lawrence Knipel, a Justice of the Supreme Court, Kings County, from enforcing an order dated March 27, 2017, in a proceeding entitled Matter of J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., v Willnus, pending in the Supreme Court, Kings County, under index No. 27940/08. Motion by the respondent Lawrence Knipel to dismiss the petition on the ground, among others, that it is without merit, and separate motion by the respondent JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., to dismiss the petition on the ground, inter alia, that it is without merit, and for the imposition of sanctions.
Upon the papers filed in support of the motions and the papers filed in opposition thereto, it is
Ordered that the motions are denied; and it is further,
Adjudged that the petition is denied and the proceeding is dismissed on the merits, without costs or disbursements.
"Because of its extraordinary nature, prohibition is available only where there is a clear legal right, and then only when a court — in cases where judicial authority is challenged — acts or threatens to act either without jurisdiction or in excess of its authorized powers" (Matter of Holtzman v Goldman, 71 NY2d 564, 569 [1988]; see Matter of Rush v Mordue, 68 NY2d 348, 352 [1986]).
The petitioners have failed to establish a clear legal right to the relief sought.
Balkin, J.R, Sgroi, Cohen and Duffy, JJ., concur.