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IN AN ACTION SEEKING TO ENFORCE A JUDGMENT AGAINST NON-DEBTORS PURSUANT TO CPLR ARTICLE 52, THE PETITIONERS ARE NOT ENTITLED TO A JURY TRIAL; THE ACTION IS EQUITABLE IN NATURE, DESPITE THE DEMAND FOR MONETARY DAMAGES (FIRST DEPT). ​

The First Department determined petitioner’s request for a jury trial in this action seeking to compel non-debtors to make assets accessible for execution should have been stricken. Even though money damages were demanded, the essence of the action is equitable:

Petitioners commenced a “turnover” special proceeding under CPLR article 52 and sought a judgment among other things, “seeking . . ‘turnover’ of [defendant] NYGFI assets to satisfy [p]etitioners’ judgment . . . compelling the non-debtor [r]espondents to disclose, bring within the jurisdiction, and make accessible for execution . . . all cash, income, distributions and funds . . . including all membership interests in limited lability companies . . . and shares in corporations and interests in partnerships . . . and granting the appointment of a CPLR [a]rticle 52 receiver.”

… “[A] [p]laintiff is not entitled to a jury trial . . . [when] he seeks to enforce a judgment against a party other than the judgment debtor, which is an equitable claim” … .

… “[T]he rule is fundamental that where a plaintiff seeks legal and equitable relief in respect of the same wrong, his right to trial by jury is lost” … . Moreover, “[i]nclusion of a demand for money damages in the [pleading] does not, in and of itself, guarantee entitlement to a jury trial. Rather, it must be determined whether the main thrust of the action is for legal damages or for equitable relief” … . Matter of Uni-Rty Corp. v New York Guangdong Fin., 2022 NY Slip Op 01525, First Dept 3-10-22

Practice Point: An action pursuant to CPLR Article 52 to enforce a judgment against non-debtors is equitable in nature. A jury trial is therefore not available. The demand for money damages (legal relief) did not alter the fact that petitioners are primarily seeking equitable relief.

 

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ALTHOUGH THIS SHAREHOLDERS’ DERIVATIVE ACTION AGAINST A SWISS CORPORATION... SUPREME COURT SHOULD NOT HAVE DISMISSED AN ACTION TO ENFORCE A MONEY JUDGMENT...