Motion for Reargument Denied for Failure to Attach Prior Order and Papers

On August 30, 2018, Justice Masley of the New York County Commercial Division issued a decision in Mayor Gallery Ltd v. Agnes Martin Catalogue Raisonne LLC, 2018 NY Slip Op. 32161(U), denying a motion for reargument because, among other reasons, the movant did not attach a copy of the prior papers to the motion, explaining:

As an initial matter, although defendants' do not raise this issue in their opposition, plaintiff's motion for leave to reargue is procedurally defective in that plaintiff failed to attach a copy of the Prior Order or the papers submitted in connection with the underlying motion (defendants' motion to dismiss, motion sequence number 001). Indeed, plaintiff does not submit even a party affidavit or attorney affirmation with this motion to reargue. Accordingly, the court exercises its discretion to deny plaintiff's motion to reargue on the basis that its supporting papers are insufficient, particularly because the underlying motion papers in this action were heavily redacted as electronically filed, and the court no longer retains the unredacted chamber's copies.

(Citations omitted).

New York procedural law (including the special rules applying to litigation in the Commercial Division of the New York courts) is not particularly complex. Still, there are procedural rules and as this decision illustrates, if a litigant ignores them, it can pay a high price. Contact Schlam Stone & Dolan partner John Lundin at jlundin@schlamstone.com if you or a client have questions regarding New York practice, and particularly regarding the rules governing practice in the Commercial Division.