Court Opinion

ID: 6640214
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-20 20:44:47.619189+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:59:12.801573
License: Public Domain

GARVIN, District Judge.
This is an application by William P. Langevin for an order staying the defendant herein and George M. Moffett, as receiver thereof, from taking any further proceedings in an action brought by said Langevin in the New York Supreme Court, New York County, against *452the defendant and others for false arrest •and malicious prosecution, which action has been dismissed by Mr. Justice Mahoney on motion of- certain defendants. An application for leave to reargue that decision has been made, and has been adjourned pending a decision on the motion now before this court. Receivers in equity (of whom Mof-fett was one) of defendant Metropolitan By-Products Company, Inc., were appointed on the application of the complainant, American Engineering Company, . on November 19, 1917. ■ , .
The action by Langevin was brought by leave of this court, contained in an order granted July 2, 1918. An answer was interposed, in form by the defendant, but at the instance of the receivers. They'were in duty bound to defend the action. The filing of such answer must be held to be their act. It is contended by the moving party herein that this act was that of the defendant, but the court is of the opinion that the receivers have the power to adopt the answer filed as their own, especially in view of the fact that it was filed at their direction.
The court sees no reason for attempting to interfere with the New York Supreme Court. To take.spch action, assuming the court has that power, would be in effect to substitute the discretion of this court' for that of the other. Such a course of action would be without precedent, if not actually illegal, and, if followed, would lead to unseemly conflicts between this court and a tribunal which is fully competent to protect the rights of ajl- litigants whose differences are submitted to it for determination. This court does not doubt but that Mr. Justice Mahoney will examine • with care the application for leave to reargue, and that, if any matters that should have been taken into account were not brought to the attention of the court, they will have prompt, careful, and conscientious consideration; if injustice has been done, it will be speedily corrected.
It appears that an appeal to the Appellate Division has been taken from the order of dismissal, and it is urged that the appeal precludes any reargument. If this is correct, and the order is affirmed, plaintiff may bring to the notice of the Appellate Division his contentions of omission, in order that he may be given leave to make a motion on additional papers, if the court is satisfied that the application has merit.
The application is denied.