Terryberry v. Lehigh Valley R. Co.

This is an action for personal injuries. Defendant pleads, inter alia, a release. Plaintiff replies, by order of the court, that no release was executed by him as such. Defendant moves, under Code Civ. Proc. § 973, for a trial of said issue separately, prior to any trial of the other issues in the case.

The practice of granting orders for separate trials in such cases has been upheld as constitutional by the Court of Appeals. Smith v. Western Pacific R. Co., 144 App. Div. 180, 128 N. Y. Supp. 966, affirmed 203 N. Y. 499, 96 N. E. 1106, 40 L. R. A. (N. S.) 137, Ann. Cas. 1913B, 264. Orders denying motions for separate trials have been reversed in the First and Second departments, although the Code section says “the court in its discretion” may make such orders. Pemberton v. McAdoo, 149 App. Div. 20, 133 N. Y. Supp. 627; Warner v. Star Co., 162 App. Div. 458, 147 N. Y. Supp. 803. In the case last cited, as in this, the issue was the validity of a release of claim for personal injuries.

*451The conclusion seems inevitable that it is held in substance in the cases cited, supra, to be an abuse of discretion to refuse to grant a separate trial in a case where it appears that the issue, if determined adversely to the defendant, will end the litigation and render a trial of the merits unnecessary, and the plea has a reasonable basis on which to rest, is not interposed for delay, and does not involve a trial of the merits (Smith v. Western Pacific Ry. Co., supra); but I am of the opinion that, in the discretion of the court, it should appear in this case by affidavits (1) that there is a substantial question of fact, not a mere issue on the pleadings, and (2) that defendant’s claim that the release was signed by plaintiff with full knowledge of its contents and purpose will be supported by evidence.

Under Code Civ. Proc. § 768, let the motion stand over until April 10th. Defendant may pay $10 and serve affidavits on or before April 3d. Answering affidavits, if any, to be served on or before April 7, 1915.