THE MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT WAS PREMATURE (MADE BEFORE ISSUE WAS JOINED) AND SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN GRANTED; ALTHOUGH NOT PRESERVED THE ISSUE COULD BE HEARD ON APPEAL BECAUSE IT PRESENTED A QUESTION OF LAW THAT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF RAISED (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined the motion for summary judgment which was brought before issue was joined should not have been granted. Although the issue was not preserved for appeal, the Second Department heard the appeal because it presented a pure question of law that could not have been avoided if it was brought up below:

“A motion for summary judgment may not be made before issue is joined and the requirement is strictly adhered to” … . Since H Mart’s motion was made prior to joinder of issue, the Supreme Court should not have granted that branch of the motion which was for summary judgment on the cause of action to recover damages for breach of contract alleging failure to procure insurance … . “Although this argument is raised for the first time on appeal, we reach the argument because it presents a pure question of law appearing on the face of the record which could not have been avoided if raised at the proper juncture” … . Maurizaca v CW Highridge Plaza, LLC, 2023 NY Slip Op 06734, Second Dept 12-27-23

Practice Point: A motion for summary judgment will be denied if made before issue is joined.

Practice Point: An issue that is not preserved for appeal may be decided on appeal if it presents a pure question of law which could not have been avoided if it had been raised below.