71 Misc. 2d 314 | N.Y. App. Term. | 1972
Dissenting Opinion
(dissenting). In every case where an unlicensed professional violates the law by practicing without a State license — with or without the knowledge of the client — there exists a sympathetic claim of unjust enrichment. In the enforcement of this licensing statute, it would appear necessary to ignore the plight of the statute violator, even where the beneficiary of his services had knowledge of, and acquiesced in the statutory violation, or else we render our licensing laws meaningless.
In 1929, the Legislature rewrote this statute (L. 1929, ch. 572) to provide, in unequivocal language, that: “ In order to safeguard life, health and property, no person shall * * * practice architecture, in this state, or use the title architect * * * unless such person shall have secured from the regents a certificate as1 registered architect, in the manner hereinafter provided, and shall thereafter comply with the provisions of this article.” (italics added).
This express prohibition of practicing architecture has been carried forward in each subsequent revision of the statute (see Education Law, former § 7302, eff. July 1, 1948; new § 7302, eff. Sept. 1, 1971). It has been construed to mean exactly what it says, so that recovery has been denied those doing architectural work without complying with the statute, even where the recipient of the services is presumed to be aware of the noncompliance (see, American Store Equip. & Constr. Corp. v. Jack Dempsey’s Punch Bowl, 174 Misc. 436, affd. 258 App. Div. 794, mot. for lv. to app. den. 258 App. Div. 876). Since the purpose of the licensing statute is the safeguarding of the life, health and property of our citizens, the fact, alluded to by the majority, that a corporation was technically incapable of being licensed, seems irrelevant. It is not the technical legal capacity for licensing that is significant, but the fact of licensing, demonstrating proof of professional competence and responsibility.
The contention that there exist widespread violations of the spirit and letter of this statute in the building industry, even if established, certainly should form no basis for recovery herein. Consequently, if the existence of this illegal custom be a fact question raised herein, it is an irrelevant one.
The statute here sought to be enforced does not exist in isolation. The legal precedent here set may well apply to the unlicensed practice of medicine (Education Law, § 6522), physical therapy (Education Law, § 6532), chiropractics (Education Law, § 6552), dentistry (Education Law, § 6602), veterinary medicine (Education Law, § 6702), pharmacy (Education Law, § 6803), nursing (Education Law, § 6902), podiatry (Education Law, § 7002), optometry (Education Law, § 7102), engineering (Education Law, § 7202), land surveying (Education Law, § 7204), certified public accountancy (Education Law, § 7402), to say nothing of the practice of law itself.
I am of the opinion that we are called upon to deny recovery for the sake of a public policy which far transcends the individual equities herein.
I vote to reverse the order on appeal and dismiss the complaint herein.
Concur — Markowitz, J. P., and Gold, J.; Streit, J., dissents in memorandum.
Order affirmed, with $10 costs.
Lead Opinion
Given the custom described in the opposing papers and the fact that defendant knew that plaintiff, a State of Louisiana architect, did not have a New York license yet availed itself of his services as architect, defendant is not entitled to summary judgment.
Defendant waited until plaintiff’s services were completed and then raised the question of the license to avoid payment. In these circumstances, the parties are in pari delicto. .While plaintiff should not have practiced architecture in this State without a New York license, defendant should not have knowingly called upon him to do architecture work with respect to a New York building without a New York license.
Accordingly, assuming the facts as presented by plaintiff, defendant would be estopped from invoking the defense that plaintiff is not licensed in New York (see Bintz v. Mid-City Park Corp., 223 App. Div. 533; Roth v. Hoster Realty Co., 119 Misc. 686 [App. Term, 1st Dept.]).
American Store Equip. & Constr. Corp. v. Jack Dempsey’s Punch Bowl (174 Misc. 436, affd. 258 App. Div. 794) is not to the contrary. That case turned on the fact that plaintiff not only was not licensed as an architect, but ‘ ‘ could not, in fact, be licensed ”.
The moving affidavits do not demonstrate beyond debate that plaintiff maintained an office in New York for the regular conduct of architectural services and regularly held himself out as a “ registered architect ” of the State of New York. Whether or not this is so, and, if so, its effect upon plaintiff’s right to recover should be determined only after trial.
The order should be affirmed, with $10 costs.