The plaintiffs are a firm of attorneys with offices fat Che practice of their profession in the city of Syracuse, New York. Sometime in December, 1947, one William Holmes retained them as attorneys for the purpose of bringing
The defense is one of law, viz., that Holmes had the right to settle, and that there is no proof of his insolvency and he has not been made a party defendant in the action.
There is no question but what a client may settle his cause of action without the consent of his attorney. But an attorney has a right to be compensated for his services.
Section 475 of the Judiciary Law provides the manner in which some of the remedies may be enforced. It is designed primarily to protect the attornej7' from dishonest settlements without his knowledge or consent. The remedies afforded him are (1) to bring an independent action against his quondam client, (2) a retaining lien upon the papers in the case, (3) a charging lien, (4) ascertainment and foreclosure of the lien in a separate equitable suit, (5) ascertainment and fixation of the lien in the action, (6) to protect him as to his costs in the original action. These remedies are cumulative. (Citizen’s Bank of White Plains v. Oglesby, 270 App. Div. 136.)
This court is a court of record. Parties may appear either by attorney or personally as in Supreme Court, but an unlicensed individual other than a party to an action cannot appear. An attorney, therefore, has the right to have his lien for services rendered in this court protected by the provisions of the Judiciary Law previously mentioned. Clearly he would have a right to bring a separate action against his client. Inasmuch as this court has a very limited equitable jurisdiction, a proceeding could not
In the light of the authorities the court must dismiss the complaint herein — with regret.
