On October 24, 2013, the First Department, in a 3-2 decision, issued a decision in BDC Finance L.L.C. v. Barclays Bank PLC, 2013 NY Slip Op. 06963, enforcing a contract in a way that created a significant burden on one party but not the other. This apparent unfair result was due to a “notwithstanding” clause similar… Read more »
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Commercial Division Blog
Posts Categorized: Commercial
False Warranty in Commercial Contract Can be Basis of Fraud Claim
On October 21, 2013, Justice Ramos of the New York County Commercial Division issued a decision in Wyle Inc. v. ITT Corp., 2013 NY Slip Op. 51707(U), addressing the availability of a fraudulent inducement claim based on a breach of warranty. In Wyle, defendant ITT argued that a fraud claim based on a warranty in… Read more »
“Notwithstanding” Clause Controls Contract Even When It Reads Other Term Out of the Contract
On October 22, 2013, the First Department issued a decision in Warburg Opportunistic Trading Fund, L.P. v. GeoResources, Inc., 2013 N.Y. Slip Op. 06826, holding that a “notwithstanding” clause trumps all other clauses in a contract, even when that clause would effectively read another clause out of the agreement. The appeal arose out of seemingly inconsistent… Read more »
Ten Questions for Justice Warshawsky
In an effort to foster communication between the Commercial Division bench and bar, from time to time we will be posting interviews with sitting or retired Commercial Division justices and court staff. Retired Nassau County Commercial Division Justice Ira B. Warshawsky has graciously agreed to serve as our inaugural interviewee from his new home at Meyer Suozzi English… Read more »
Equitable Claims Defeat Jury Demand
On October 17, 2013, Justice Bucaria of the Nassau County Commercial Division issued a decision in National Grid Corporate Services, LLC v. LeSchack & Grodensky, P.C., 2013 N.Y. Slip Op. 23354, highlighting a significant procedural difference between litigating commercial cases in New York’s state and federal courts: which claims can be tried by a judge… Read more »
Assignees of Purchaser of Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities Lack Standing to Sue and Assignor Failed to Adequately Plead Fraud Damages
On October 16, 2013, Justice Bransten of the New York County Commercial Division issued a decision in Dexia SA/NV v. Morgan Stanley, 2013 N.Y. Slip Op. 51696(U), dismissing on the pleadings causes of action sounding in common-law fraud brought against the underwriters and sponsors of residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) by both the entity that purchased… Read more »
Third Party Not Bound by Arbitation Agreement of Which He Was Not a Direct Beneficiary
On October 17, 2013, the Court of Appeals issued a decision in Matter of Belzberg v. Verus Invs. Holdings Inc., 2013 NY Slip Op. 06729, addressing the extent to which a person who is not a party to an agreement to arbitrate can nonetheless be required to arbitrate. The Court of Appeals started with the general proposition… Read more »
Common Interest Privilege Limited to Litigation Context
On October 16, 2013, Justice Bransten of the New York County Commercial Division issued a decision in Ambac Assur. Corp. v. Countrywide Home Loans, Inc., 2013 NY Slip Op. 51673(U), addressing the scope of the common interest privilege in the context of a corporate merger. Justice Bransten held that, contrary to rule applied by some… Read more »
A Formal, Written Litigation Hold Not Necessary To Trigger Requirement To Preserve Documents
On October 3, 2013, Justice Friedman of the New York County Commercial Division held in Roberts v. Korwin, 2013 N.Y. Slip Op. 51637(U), a legal malpractice action, that a written, formal litigation hold memo was not necessary to trigger the obligation to preserve documents once a party was on notice of a possible claim, writing:… Read more »
Court Orders Disclosure of Work Product When Counsel Creates the Appearance of Manipulating Witness Testimony
On October 3, 2013, Justice Kornreich of the New York County Commercial Division issued a decision in MBIA Ins. Corp. v Credit Suisse Sec.(USA) LLC, 2013 NY Slip Op 32404(U), addressing whether to order disclosure to defendant of “all communications between” certain key witnesses and plaintiff’s counsel, including “all versions, drafts, or iterations of the… Read more »