Sobel v. Bess

43 N.Y.2d 969 | NY | 1978

Lead Opinion

OPINION OF THE COURT

Memorandum.

On the first appeal, the Appellate Division concluded that the settlement agreement reached by the parties was equivocal in its written form and referred the case to Mr. Justice David L. Glickman for clarification (43 AD2d 733). Judge Glickman, before whom the original stipulation of settlement had been made, after receiving extensive testimony interpreted the settlement agreement in a carefully considered opinion. Our examination of the record discloses substantial evidence to support his interpretation. We find insufficient warrant in law for the subsequent excision and reversal by the Appellate Division. If its decision be perceived as a factual determination we are persuaded that the decision of Mr. Justice Glickman more nearly conforms to the weight of the evidence in this case (Schine v Schine, 31 NY2d 113; Matter of City of New York [Boston-Secor Houses—Rusciano], 25 NY2d 430, 432).

Accordingly, on defendants’ appeal, judgment appealed from and Appellate Division order thereby brought up for review, reversed, with costs to defendants, and the order of Supreme Court, Suffolk County, dated October 8, 1974 reinstated. On plaintiffs cross appeal order, insofar as appealed from, affirmed; question certified, insofar as applicable to plaintiffs appeal, answered in the affirmative.

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Dissenting Opinion

Chief Judge Breitel (dissenting).

The stipulation of settlement, which in law constituted an enforceable contract, provided, in relevant part: “John M. Bess is the beneficial owner of the common stock of Timber Point Country Club, which stock shall be transferred to John M. Bess as receiver and trustee of Great River Country Club Associates by the present recorded owners of said stock.” Given the history of this protracted litigation, none of the trial testimony is entitled to be accorded much credibility, even assuming, dubiously, that the disputed provision in the stipulation warranted explanation by parol evidence.

The stipulation was drafted by lawyers, and it must be assumed that the lawyers used words of art as they are understood in common legal usage. The agreement provided for transfer to Bess “as receiver and trustee”. Had the drafters intended that Great River’s interest in the stock be terminated upon payment by Bess of whatever was owed as a result of the accounting, they could easily have so provided. They did not. Despite the unsatisfactory and contradictory explanations as to why an escrow was not used, an escrow would not necessarily have impaired Bess’ freedom to use the stock for permissible purposes. An escrow can be conditioned, and conditioned escrows are exceedingly common.

Moreover, the provision suffers from no inconsistency requiring excision or rejection of any words or clauses. Instead, the clause relied upon by defendants—"John M. Bess is the beneficial owner of the common stock of Timber Point Country Club”—obviously was intended only to distinguish Bess’ interest from the record ownership of the stock by Bess’ son and his friend.

Accordingly, I dissent and vote to affirm.

Judges Jasen, Gabrielli, Jones and Wachtler concur in memorandum; Chief Judge Breitel dissents and votes to affirm on both appeals in a separate opinion in which Judges Fuchsberg and Cooke concur.

On defendants’ appeal: Judgment appealed from and order of the Appellate Division brought up for review reversed, with costs to defendants, and the order of Supreme Court, Suffolk County, dated October 8, 1974 reinstated.

On plaintiff’s cross appeal: Order, insofar as appealed from, affirmed, with costs. Question certified, insofar as applicable to plaintiff’s appeal, answered in the affirmative.