Accelerated Relief Pursuant to CPLR 3213 (Judgment In Lieu of Complaint) Should Not Have Been Granted—the Document at Issue Did Not Include a Promise to Pay On Demand or at a Definite Time
The Second Department determined Supreme Court should not have granted accelerated relief pursuant to CPLR 3213 because the document describing the loan did not include a provision requiring payment on demand or at a definite time:
Pursuant to CPLR 3213, a party may obtain accelerated relief by moving for summary judgment in lieu of complaint, provided that the action is “based upon an instrument for the payment of money only or upon any judgment” (CPLR 3213…). “A promissory note is an instrument for the payment of money only, provided that it contains an unconditional promise by the borrower to pay the lender over a stated period of time” … . An instrument does not qualify for accelerated relief under CPLR 3213 “if outside proof is needed, other than simple proof of nonpayment or a similar de minimis deviation from the face of the document” … .
Therefore, a plaintiff makes a prima facie showing of entitlement to judgment as a matter of law pursuant to CPLR 3213 by showing that the defendant executed the subject instrument, the instrument contains an unconditional promise to repay the plaintiff upon demand or at a definite time, and the defendant failed to pay in accordance with the instrument’s terms … .
Here, the record does not support the Supreme Court’s determination that the Document reflects the defendant’s unconditional promise to repay the borrowed sum upon demand or at definite time … . Von Fricken v Schaefer, 2014 NY Slip Op 04479, 2nd Dept 6-18-14
