You are here: / Supreme Court Should Determine Only the Threshold Issue of Whether a Matter...

Search Results

/ ,

Supreme Court Should Determine Only the Threshold Issue of Whether a Matter Is Arbitrable as Encompassed by the General Subject Matter of the Collective Bargaining Agreement Without Considering the Merits of the Underlying Claim (Which Should Be Left to the Arbitrator)

The Fourth Department determined Supreme Court erred when it held that the parties had not agreed to arbitrate the issue (concerning a promotion).  The Fourth Department explained the criteria, noting that Supreme Court should not have been concerned with the merits of the underlying claim, but rather only the threshold issue of arbitrability:

The issue is governed by the Court of Appeals’ two-prong test to determine “whether a grievance is arbitrable” … . In the first prong of the test, known as “the may-they-arbitrate’ prong,” we “ask whether there is any statutory, constitutional or public policy prohibition against arbitration of the grievance” … . If arbitration is not prohibited, we then in the second prong “examine the CBA [collective bargaining agreement] to determine if the parties have agreed to arbitrate the dispute at issue,” which is known as “the did-they-agree-to-arbitrate’ prong” … .

…Supreme Court erred in concluding that the parties did not agree to arbitrate this issue. “It is well settled that, in deciding an application to stay or compel arbitration under CPLR 7503, the court is concerned only with the threshold determination of arbitrability, and not with the merits of the underlying claim” … . …  “Where, as here, there is a broad arbitration clause and a reasonable relationship’ between the subject matter of the dispute and the general subject matter of the parties’ collective bargaining agreement, the court should rule the matter arbitrable, and the arbitrator will then make a more exacting interpretation of the precise scope of the substantive provisions of the [collective bargaining agreement], and whether the subject matter of the dispute fits within them’ ” … . Matter of County of Herkimer v Civil Serv Employees Assn Inc, 2015 NY Slip Op 00125, 4th Dept 1-2-15

 

/

Conflict of Interest Waived Where Respondent Knew of the Conflict and Participated in Prior Proceedings for Some Time

he Fourth Department determined a disqualifying conflict of interest existed between respondent and petitioner’s attorney, but that respondent had waived the conflict by participating in prior aspects of the case without objection:

…[R]espondent established that she had a prior attorney-client relationship with petitioner’s attorney, that the issues in the two litigations are substantially related, each involving ownership of the same parcel of property, and that her interests are adverse to those of petitioner … . Usually, that would create an “irrebuttable presumption of disqualification” …, but many courts have nevertheless denied disqualification upon finding that a party has waived any objection to the purported conflict of interest … .

In determining whether a party has waived any objection to a conflict of interest, “courts consider when the challenged interests became materially adverse to determine if the party could have moved [for disqualification] at an earlier time . . . If a party moving for disqualification was aware or should have been aware of the facts underlying an alleged conflict of interest for an extended period of time before bringing the motion, that party may be found to have waived any objection to the other party’s representation . . . Further, where a motion to disqualify is made in the midst of litigation where the moving party knew of the alleged conflict of interest well before making the motion, it can be inferred that the motion was made merely to secure a tactical advantage”… . Matter of David C Peters, 2015 NY Slip Op 00042, 4th Dept 1-2-15

 

/ ,

Appeal Dismissed Pursuant to Fugitive Disentitlement Doctrine Reinstated Upon Posting of a Bond

The Fourth Department, which had previously dismissed respondent’s appeal pursuant to the fugitive disentitlement doctrine, reinstated the appeal upon respondent’s posting a $25,000 bond:

We previously dismissed respondent’s appeal from an “order of dismissal” entered by Family Court upon declining to sign an order to show cause seeking to vacate two orders entered on respondent’s default. One of the orders determined that respondent was in willful violation of a child support order, and the other order committed him to a term of six months of incarceration … . The court also issued a warrant for respondent’s arrest … . We determined that the fugitive disentitlement theory applied both to respondent’s order to show cause to vacate the default orders and to the subsequent appeal … . We nevertheless granted respondent leave to move to reinstate his appeal upon the posting of an undertaking in the amount of $25,000 with the court within 60 days of service of our order with notice of entry … . Respondent timely posted the undertaking and his motion to reinstate the appeal was granted by this Court.

“The principal rationales for the doctrine [of fugitive disentitlement] include: (1) assuring the enforceability of any decision that may be rendered against the fugitive; (2) imposing a penalty for flouting the judicial process; (3) discouraging flights from justice and promoting the efficient operation of the courts; and (4) avoiding prejudice to the nonfugitive party”… . By posting an undertaking in the amount of the child support arrears, we conclude that respondent has demonstrated that he is not flouting the judicial process and has provided a means of enforcement of the court’s order determining the amount of child support arrears in the event that the court’s determination is unchanged (see Family Ct Act § 471; CPLR 2502 [c]). We conclude that the fugitive disentitlement theory no longer applies to respondent … , and thus we reverse the order insofar as appealed from and remit the matter to Family Court to determine respondent’s application to vacate the orders entered on his default and the warrant for his arrest. Matter of Shehatou v Louka, 2015 NY Slip Op 00086, 4th Dept 1-2-15

 

/ ,

Because the Habeas Corpus Petition Sought the Transfer of Kiko, A Chimpanzee, to Another Facility, Rather than Immediate Release, the Petition Must Be Denied, Regardless of Whether Kiko is Deemed a Person for Purposes of the Writ

The Fourth Department determined that a habeas corpus petition seeking the transfer of a chimpanzee, Kiko, to a facility with better conditions could not be granted, even if Kiko is deemed a person, because the petition did not seek Kiko’s immediate release:

Regardless of whether we agree with petitioner’s claim that Kiko is a person within the statutory and common-law definition of the writ, ” habeas corpus relief nonetheless is unavailable as [that] claim[], even if meritorious, would not entitle [Kiko] to immediate release’ ” … . It is well settled that a habeas corpus proceeding must be dismissed where the subject of the petition is not entitled to immediate release from custody … . Here, petitioner does not seek Kiko’s immediate release, nor does petitioner allege that Kiko’s continued detention is unlawful. Rather, petitioner seeks to have Kiko placed in a different facility that petitioner deems more appropriate. Matter of Nonhuman Rights Project Inc v Presti, 2015 NY Slip Op 00085, 4th Dept 1-2-15

 

/

Town Did Not Follow Its Own Procedures for Rescinding a Planned Development District–Local Law Purporting to Do So Annulled

The Third Department determined the Town of Colonie acted arbitrarily and capriciously when it enacted a Local Law restoring the original zoning after construction at the site came to a halt.  In enacting the new Local Law, the town had not followed its own procedures for rescinding a planned development district.  [The Third Department noted that the town's actions were not egregious and therefore damages based upon an alleged violation of constitutional rights (42 USC 1983) would not lie and the equal protection argument had no merit.]:

“Zoning regulations, being in derogation of the common law, must be strictly construed against the municipality which has enacted and seeks to enforce them” … . The Town Board was therefore obliged to “comply with its own procedural rules regarding enactment of the zoning ordinance” in making amendments to that ordinance … . Chapter 190 of the Code of the Town of Colonie (hereinafter referred to as Colonie Land Use Law) governs the creation and rescission of planning development districts, and Local Law No. 12 (2007) of the Town of Colonie was enacted pursuant to its terms (see Colonie Land Use Law § 190-65 et seq.). As is relevant here, Colonie Land Use Law § 190-72 permits the Town Board to rescind a planned development district and restore a property to its prior zoning under limited circumstances. The Town Board did not make the factual findings required by section 190-72, however, and the Town Attorney made clear that the Town Board was not relying upon that section in enacting Local Law No. 5. Respondents now argue that the facts of this case permitted the Town Board to rely upon section 190-72. The fact remains that the Town Board did not, however, and “a court reviewing an administrative determination must judge the propriety of such action solely on the grounds invoked by the agency, and if those grounds are inadequate or improper, the court is powerless to confirm on grounds it deems adequate or proper” … . Thus, the Town Board acted in an arbitrary and capricious manner by disregarding the provisions of the Colonie Land Use Law in enacting Local Law No. 5, and the law cannot be sustained … . Matter of Loudon House LLC v Town of Colonie, 2014 NY Slip Op 09081, 3rd Dept 12-31-14


/

Claimant Did Not Link Illness Caused by Ingestion of a Ubiquitous Mold to Workplace

The Third Department reversed the Workers' Compensation Board's determination that claimant had contracted an occupational disease by ingesting mold on the job at a garbage recycling and energy production facility.  Although there was mold at the plant, that same mold is ubiquitous:

Initially, Workers' Compensation Law § 2 (15) defines an occupational disease as “a disease resulting from the nature of employment and contracted therein” … . In order to demonstrate that a condition is compensable as an occupational disease, a claimant must “establish a recognizable link between his [or her] condition and a distinctive feature of his [or her] occupation through the submission of competent medical evidence” … .

Here, claimant maintained that he was exposed to the aspergillus fungus while working in the cooling tower, where he observed green plant life growing, and also in the boiler house under the ram feeder table, where there was decomposing garbage… . * * *

Carl Friedman, a pulmonary specialist who conducted an independent medical examination based upon a review of claimant's medical records, opined that claimant's respiratory condition was not causally related to his employment. Because the aspergillus fungus is ubiquitous and is found in soil everywhere, Friedman testified, claimant could have been exposed in an industrial setting or at home in his own backyard. Friedman further indicated that it could not be determined exactly when claimant was exposed or, given claimant's clinical history, the date of onset of the disease.

Based upon the foregoing, claimant has not demonstrated that his contraction of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis was attributable to a distinctive aspect of his job as a maintenance mechanic and/or planner … . Matter of Connolly v Covanta Energy Corp, 2014 NY Slip Op 09076, 3rd Dept 12-31-14


/

Self-Insured Employer Not Entitled to Offset Workers’ Compensation Benefits by the Amount Claimant Received in a Third-Party Settlement

The Third Department determined claimant's self-insured employer was not entitled to a reduction of the Workers' Compensation benefits payable to claimant by offsetting the amount claimant received in a third-party settlement (claimant was injured in an automobile accident on the job–employer agreed to the settlement):

Workers' Compensation Law § 29 provides that a carrier or self-insured employer that pays workers' compensation benefits has the right to offset future payments of compensation against proceeds recovered by a claimant in a third-party action as long as such payments do not constitute first party benefits made to reimburse a claimant for basic economic loss or payments made in lieu of first party benefits under the No-Fault Law (see Workers' Compensation Law § 29 [1], [1-a], [4]; Insurance Law §§ 5102 [a], [b]; 5104 [a]…). Basic economic loss includes payments, not exceeding $50,000, for items such as lost earnings of up to $2,000 per month for three years after the date of the accident (see Insurance Law § 5102 [a] [2]…). Payments that are considered reimbursement for basic economic loss or that are made in lieu thereof are not subject to the offset provisions of Workers' Compensation Law § 29 … . The dispositive question presented on this appeal is whether that part of the schedule loss of use award associated with claimant's [initial] lost time falls within this category, despite the fact that it was initially labeled as payment for “temporary total disability.” * * *

Inasmuch as claimant received only a schedule loss of use award, the award is not allocable to any particular time period, and the fact that the monthly rate of the award exceeded the $2,000 threshold in Insurance Law § 5102 (a) (2) is irrelevant to the employer's right of offset … . Matter of Cruz v City of New York Dept of Children's Services, 2014 NY Slip OP 09074, 3rd Dept 12-31-14


/

State Did Not Rebut Statutory Presumption Corrections Officer’s Heart Condition Was Linked to His Work

The Third Department determined petitioner, a corrections officer, should have been awarded performance of duty disability retirement benefits.  The state did not rebut the statutory presumption that petitioner's heart condition was linked to his job:

… Retirement and Social Security Law § 607-d … provides that performance of duty disability retirement benefits shall be awarded to correction officers who become disabled by “any condition of impairment of health caused by diseases of the heart” where such disability occurs while they are employed. Notably, the statute contains a presumption that the impairment “was incurred in the performance and discharge of duty, unless the contrary can be proven by competent evidence” (Retirement and Social Security Law § 607-d). To successfully rebut this statutory presumption, it must be demonstrated through expert proof that the applicant's cardiac condition was caused by cardiac risk factors other than the applicant's employment … . Matter of Park v DiNapoli, 2014 NY Slip Op 098075, 3rd Dept 12-31-14


/ , ,

Complaint by Members of a Congregation against the Congregation’s Board of Trustees Stemming from the Termination of a Rabbi Reinstated—Criteria for Motions to Dismiss, Statutory Interpretation Principles, Criteria for Stating a Defamation Cause of Action, and the Qualified Immunity Afforded Board Members by the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law Discussed in Some Depth

The Second Department, in a full-fledged opinion by Justice Dickerson, reversed Supreme Court's dismissal of a complaint against the congregation's board of trustees by members of the congregation alleging causes of action stemming from the board's termination of a Rabbi. The Second Department held Supreme Court had not properly interpreted the Religious Corporations Law and the congregation's by-laws (Supreme Court had erroneously concluded the board had the power to act as it did under the statute and by-laws). The court further held the complaint sufficiently alleged malice in support of the defamation cause of action and sufficiently alleged the qualified immunity afforded board members by the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law may not apply.  The court discussed the criteria for a motion to dismiss pursuant to CPLR 3211, statutory interpretation principles, the elements of defamation, and the qualified immunity afforded board members by the Not-for-Profit-Corporation Law in some depth. Only a portion of the statutory-interpretation discussion is quoted here.  Supreme Court had interpreted the statutory phrase “The trustees … shall have no power to settle or remove or fix the salary of the minister…” to refer only to the trustees' actions concerning “the salary of the minister.”  The Second Department interpreted the phrase to mean the trustees have no power to “settle,” “remove,” or “fix the salary of” the minister:

We conclude that a more natural reading of the provision “[t]he trustees . . . shall have no power to settle or remove or fix the salary of the minister” (Religious Corporations Law § 200) establishes that “settle or remove” do not modify “the salary of the minister.” Rather, a more natural reading of this passage would be that the terms “settle,” “remove,” and “fix the salary of” all modify “the minister.” Under this reading, the trustees have no power to settle, or hire, the minister; they have no power to remove, or terminate the engagement of, the minister; and, finally, they have no power to fix the salary of the minister.

Under the Supreme Court's interpretation of the relevant language, the words “settle” and “fix” would have the same meaning, thus rendering one of these terms superfluous. ” Words are not to be rejected as superfluous where it is practicable to give each a distinct and separate meaning'” (…see McKinney's Cons Laws of NY, Book 1, Statutes § 231). Moreover, the Supreme Court's interpretation would lead to the somewhat unnatural provision for the “removal” of a clergyperson's salary. Furthermore, the use of the word “or” to separate each of the three terms suggests an intent to distinguish three distinct concepts.

Additionally, our interpretation of the statute, prohibiting the trustees from settling or removing the minister, or fixing his or her salary, is supported by the consistent, and quite similar, language set forth in Religious Corporations Law § 5. We note in this regard that ” [a] statute or legislative act is to be construed as a whole, and all parts of an act are to be read and construed together to determine the legislative intent'” … . Kamchi v Weissman, 2014 NY Slip Op 09109, 2nd Dept 12-31-14


/

County Has Power to Amend Tax Maps Without Notice and a Hearing/Tax Maps Merely Identify Property and Do Not Determine Ownership/Any Dispute About Ownership Must Be Remedied by an Action to Quiet Title

The Third Department determined the county had the power to amend tax maps without notice and a hearing.  Here the director of real property tax services amended a tax map to list the Steger Trust as the current owner of a 25 acre lot previously listed as the petitioner's property. The Third Department explained the county's powers in this regard, noted that a tax map merely identifies property, does not determine ownership and an action to quiet title is the appropriate remedy:

The County correctly asserts that the Director of Real Property Tax Services has the statutory authority to amend tax maps and to provide information about such amendments to the Town's assessor. Counties are required to prepare and maintain tax maps for each city and town therein, and it is the duty of the assessors to use such maps in assessment administration (see RPTL 503 [1] [a]; 1532 [1] [a]). As part of this responsibility, county directors of real property tax services are required to make “such changes from year to year upon such tax maps as may be necessary to maintain the maps in current condition” (RPTL 503 [2]; see 20 NYCRR 8189.14 [a] [7]; [c] [8]; 8189.16 [b]), and to advise assessors on the preparation and maintenance of assessment rolls and property record cards, among other things (see RPTL 1532 [1] [c]). Based on this authority, the County properly amended its tax map and provided the updated information to the assessor listing the Steger Trust as the current reputed owner.

Also, contrary to petitioners' claim, the County did not determine that they do not own the parcel. Rather, the listing of the reputed owner on the tax map is only for the purpose of identifying the assessed property … . Likewise, because title to the property is not determined by the tax map, petitioners have failed to identify any protected property interest giving rise to procedural due process protection … . Any ongoing dispute between petitioners and the Steger Trust should be resolved in an action to quiet title pursuant to RPAPL [Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law] article 15… . Matter of Carpentier v County of Sullivan, 2014 NY Slip Op 09083, 3rd Dept 12-31-14


Categories

Sign Up for the Mailing List to Be Notified When the Site Is Updated.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Copyright © 2026 New York Appellate Digest, Inc.
Site by CurlyHost | Privacy Policy