Opinion
May 23, 1966
In a stockholders' derivative action, defendants appeal from an order of the Supreme Court, Queens County, entered July 13, 1965, which conditionally granted plaintiffs' motion, pursuant to CPLR 3126, to strike out defendants' answer by reason of the alleged willful failure of defendant Carlotta Marks to appear for pretrial examination pursuant to prior notice of examination and a prior order of said court. Order reversed, without costs, and motion remitted to the Special Term for further proceedings not inconsistent herewith. In our opinion, there is no basis in the record for holding that the failure of Mrs. Marks to appear for examination was that willful failure contemplated by the statute; and defendants' answer should not have been struck out, even on condition ( Livingstone v. Mayes, 23 A.D.2d 814; Nomako v. Ashton, 22 A.D.2d 683; Mack v. Edell, 284 App. Div. 1022). In any event, the answer of Mrs. Marks' codefendants should not have been struck out (CPLR 3126; cf. Finegold v. Walworth Bros., 238 N.Y. 446, 455; Sterne v. Diamond, 36 Misc.2d 201). On the other hand, however, there is an outstanding order of the court directing Mrs. Marks' examination which has not been complied with; and her claim of physical incapacity is supported only by the unsworn assertion of her physician. In our opinion, therefore, a hearing should be held for the purpose of taking testimony concerning her physical condition. Prior thereto, to enable plaintiffs to prepare for such hearing, Mrs. Marks should submit herself to a physical examination by a physician designated by plaintiffs. The issue to be decided upon such hearing is whether Mrs. Marks' default in appearing for oral examination was excusable by reason of her physical condition. Depending upon the determination made, the Special Term should thereupon make such an order as may be just under the circumstances (CPLR 3126; Marco v. Sachs, 4 A.D.2d 785). Of course, if in the interim Mrs. Marks should submit herself to oral examination and produce the books and records in compliance with the prior order, then the physical examination and the hearing would be obviated. Beldock, P.J., Ughetta, Brennan, Hopkins and Benjamin, JJ., concur.