Opinion
April 15, 1924.
Oscar A. Lewis, for the plaintiff.
Amy Wren, for the defendant Chan.
This is a motion to strike out the separate defense in the answer as a sham, and for an order granting plaintiff judgment on the pleadings, and an order for an assessment of damages, providing therein that the defendant shall be credited with the full amount pleaded in the partial defense set out in the answer. The only questions argued are (a) the sufficiency in law of the separate defense in paragraph 2 of the answer; and (b) whether the denial in the answer of paragraph 7 of the complaint, which alleges unliquidated damages in the sum of $30,000, raises an issue which precludes the making of an order for assessment.
The separate defense is sham. The written lease, relied on by the plaintiff as being the repository of all agreements between the parties, must be held to be such. The matter relied on as a complete defense in paragraph 2 in the answer having transpired, if at all, before the execution of the agreement, is presumed to be embodied in it, so far as it has any effect upon the relations of the parties. It is clearly sham.
The denial in the answer of paragraph 7 of the complaint with reference to damages raises no issue requiring a trial in the ordinary course. Sutton v. Duntley, 205 A.D. 660, 662; Lewis v. City Realty Co., 158 A.D. 733; Hackett v. Richards, 3 E.D. Smith, 13, 31; Civ. Prac. Act, § 460. This does not mean that the defendant may not contest the items of damages when they are being sought to be assessed by a jury. The defendant may appear and be heard on such an assessment. The denial of the allegation of damages may not be used to postpone such judgment as the plaintiff may be entitled to. Accordingly, since an opportunity to amend would not avail the defendant anything, the motion is granted striking out the separate defense in paragraph 2 of the answer and granting plaintiff judgment on the pleadings, and providing for an assessment of damages pursuant to section 460 of the Civil Practice Act with a credit of $500, as pleaded in the partial defense.
Ordered accordingly.