Meehan v. Figliuolo

The plaintiff recovered a judgment in this case for $2l>0 and costs. The pleadings were oral, and the plaintiff, in his bill of particulars filed, claimed for services as an architect in drawing sketches, plans, etc., for the defendant “between September 1, 1897, and March 1, 1898.” Upon the return day of the summons the defendant had interposed a general denial as his answer. Upon the day of the trial, and before any material testimony had been given, the defendant’s attorney said:

“The pleadings in this case were amended, I think. We could not fully plead until we saw the bill of particulars. We want to add the statute of limitations to our defense.”

Plaintiff’s attorney: “They have not been amended, but we will consent to their making any amendments they want to.”

Nothing further was said as to amending the pleadings. The plans drawn by the plaintiff consisted of a set for the erection of two houses, which were drawn and delivered to the defendant in November or December, 1897, and for which plaintiff claimed, and was allowed by the" trial court, the sum of $200, and a plan for a retaining wall, which was drawn and delivered to defendant in March or *921April, 1898, for which plaintiff was allowed the sum of $50. This action was begun in February, 1904. Under the liberal practice permitted in'the Municipal Courts, it must be held that the defendant interposed the statute of limitations as a defense in this action, and the pleadings as being amended so as to set that up. That being so, the charge for the plans for the two houses delivered to the defendant in November or December, 1897, would fall within the provisions of that statute, and the plaintiff be barred from recovering therefor, unless there was.such a mutual, open, and current account between the parties, etc., as provided in section 386 of the Code of Civil Procedure. This does not appear to have been the case. It was shown that there had been dealings between the parties subsequent to 1897, but it was only an employment of the defendant by the plaintiff, and a payment by the plaintiff to the defendant in cash for services rendered. This' was not. such a course of mutual dealings as to constitute an open and current account, within that section and the decisions thereunder. Fennell v. Black, 24 Misc. Rep. 728, 53 N. Y. Supp. 797. This item of $200 should, therefore, not have been allowed. As to the item of $50, the testimony is conflicting, and the decision of the trial court may be upheld.

Judgment reversed and a new trial ordered, with costs to appellant to abide the event, unless plaintiff will consent to modify the judgment by reducing the amount of recovery to $50 and costs in the court below, in which event the judgment as modified is affirmed, withoui costs of this appeal to either party.

SCOTT, J., concurs.

Title 4 of the Municipal Court act (Laws 1902, p. 1534, c. 580), providing rules and details for plaints and defenses, would seem bootless, if a pleading be held amended upon mere expression of desire by one party, and response by the other that he may make any amendment he may wish, with the court silent.