Opinion
January, 1907.
Wheeler, Cortis Haight (H.M. Hewitt, of counsel), for appellant.
Langbein Langbein, for respondent.
In this case the defendant interposed a demurrer to the complaint which was sustained, and leave was given to the plaintiff to serve an amended complaint, which was done. The defendant thereupon filed an answer and the case was set down for trial. Upon the day set for trial and before any testimony was taken, defendant moved to dismiss the amended complaint upon the ground that it did not contain facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action. Decision on this motion was reserved until May 15, 1906, at which time the justice indorsed upon the record the words "Demurrer sustained. Action dismissed with costs." Judgment was thereupon entered in favor of the defendant, from which judgment plaintiff appeals. There seems to be no express provision in the Municipal Court Act permitting the defendant to test the sufficiency of a complaint upon the question as to whether or not it states facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action other than by demurrer or answer. It has been held, however, that such a motion may be made and entertained. Morris v. Hunken, 40 A.D. 129. Subdivision 2 of section 249 provides that the action must be dismissed upon the merits "where the court sustains a demurrer, and no leave to plead over is granted, as provided in this act." Nowhere in the act, however, is there any situation pointed out in which leave to "plead over" may be refused; and in subdivision 4 of section 145 it is plainly and explicitly provided that, where a demurrer is well founded, the court "must permit the pleading to be amended." A motion to dismiss the complaint is, therefore, equivalent to a demurrer (Rogers v. Fine, 49 Misc. 633) and leave to serve an amended pleading must be granted when such a motion is sustained. Rogers v. Fine, supra. The plaintiff was not given leave to plead after the decision of the motion and the judgment must, therefore, be reversed.
BLANCHARD and DAYTON, JJ., concur.
Judgment reversed and new trial ordered, with costs to appellant to abide event.