Court Opinion

ID: 5247046
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-06 18:02:31.541716+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:27:53.063599
License: Public Domain

Dowling, J.:
While plaintiff was entitled to an order for the examination of defendant, the form of the order granted is objectionable, in that it directs an examination “ concerning the matters which are relevant to the issues in this action and are stated in said affidavit.” The first part of this direction is too broad, as the examination should be confined to the' issues upon which plaintiff has the affirmative. (Goodwin v. Mirror Films, Inc., 175 App. Div. 432.) As to the second part, the impropriety of a provision for an examination “ concerning *653the matters which are relevant to the issues in this action ” was pointed in Verdi v. Nocenti Co. (177 App. Div. 489). Not only would such a direction permit the adverse party to be examined as to his defense, but the indefiniteness of the subject-matter of the examination as thus defined is bound to lead to confusion, involving continual reference to the affidavit and controversy as to what it sets forth that is actually relevant to the issues presented by the pleadings. With the constantly growing tendency to make affidavits argumentative in character, instead of plain statements of facts, the scope of the question raised thereby would be wide indeed. In the case at bar the matters set forth as the subject of examination cover nearly three printed pages. The order appealed from will, therefore, be reversed, with ten dollars costs and disbursements, and the motion to modify the order for examination granted, without costs, to the extent of confining the examination to the issues upon which plaintiff has the burden of proof in the first instance.
Clarke, P. J,, Scott, Smith and Page, JJ., concurred.
Order reversed, with ten dollars costs and disbursements, and motion granted to extent indicated in opinion. Order to be settled on notice.