Woodward v. Skinner

The record discloses no ground supporting the decision of the court below in allowing oral cross-examination of the witnesses sought to be examined by commission. The papers do not show what the proposed witnesses are expected to testify to, or even about. Even the nature of the action is not shown. ' The only ground anywhere assigned for the court’s action is in the opinion, which states that the plaintiff appeared and requested leave to orally cross-examine. It is altogether probable that the learned justice had good reasons for his de*260cisión, and those reasons were apparently stated by the plaintiff on the hearing; but they should have been made in the form of an affidavit, and incorporated in the record. Special circumstances should be shown where the privilege of oral examination or cross-examination is sought. Laidley v. Rogers (Sup.) 22 N. Y. Supp. 458; Frounfelker v. D. L. & W. Ry., 81 App. Div. 67, 80 N. Y. Supp. 701.

The order should be modified by striking out all provisions for oral examination or cross-examination, and substituting therefor provisions for written interrogatories and cross-interrogatories, and, as so modified, affirmed, without costs.