Summary
stating that res judicata bars claims "even if based upon different theories or if seeking a different remedy"
Summary of this case from Robert B. Jetter, M.D., PLLC v. 737 Park Ave. Acquisition LLCOpinion
2011-08-2
Tor Jacob Worsoe, Jr., Holtsville, N.Y., for appellant.Alicia S. O'Connor, Town Attorney, Islip, N.Y. (John R. DiCioccio of counsel), for respondents.
In an action, inter alia, for specific performance of an option to purchase certain real property, the plaintiff appeals from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Suffolk County (Cohen, J.), entered May 21, 2010, which, upon an order of the same court dated March 10, 2010, denying his motion, among other things, to stay a proceeding for a judgment of eviction pending in the Fifth District Court, Suffolk County, under Index No. ISLT–07/001810, and granting the defendants' cross motion, inter alia, pursuant to CPLR 3211(a) (5) to dismiss the complaint on the ground that the action is barred by the doctrine of res judicata, is in favor of the defendants and against him dismissing the complaint.
ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed, with costs.
“ ‘[T]he general doctrine of res judicata gives binding effect to the judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction and prevents the parties to an action, and those in privity with them, from subsequently re-litigating any questions that were necessarily decided therein’ ” ( Landau, P.C. v. LaRossa, Mitchell & Ross, 11 N.Y.3d 8, 13, 862 N.Y.S.2d 316, 892 N.E.2d 380, quoting Matter of Grainger [ Shea Enters.], 309 N.Y. 605, 616, 132 N.E.2d 864; see Toscano v. 4B's Realty VIII Southampton Brick & Tile, LLC, 84 A.D.3d 780, 921 N.Y.S.2d 882). Under New York's transactional approach to res judicata, “once a claim is brought to a final conclusion, all other claims arising out of the same transaction or series of transactions are barred, even if based upon different theories or if seeking a different remedy” ( O'Brien v. City of Syracuse, 54 N.Y.2d 353, 357, 445 N.Y.S.2d 687, 429 N.E.2d 1158; Toscano v. 4B's Realty VIII Southampton Brick & Tile, LLC, 84 A.D.3d 780, 921 N.Y.S.2d 882).
Here, the plaintiff seeks the same relief requested by him in a prior action, namely, specific performance of an option to purchase certain real property located in Bay Shore, New York. Moreover, although the plaintiff alleges in the instant action that the defendants engaged in fraud, this purported new claim or theory is grounded on the same transaction or series of transactions as the prior action ( see Fogel v. Oelmann, 7 A.D.3d 485, 486, 776 N.Y.S.2d 76).
Accordingly, the Supreme Court properly dismissed the complaint on the ground that the instant action is barred by the doctrine of res judicata.