Opinion
February 8, 1934.
Appeal from the Municipal Court, Borough of Manhattan, Third District.
Bokor Epstein [ Jacob H. Epstein of counsel], for the appellant.
Sol R. Kaplan, for the respondent.
Even though this action is one at law, if the plaintiff seeks to escape from the consequences of a release by showing mutual mistake or mistake and fraud, that issue, though equitable in nature, may be determined in the law action. ( Wilcox v. American T. T. Co., 176 N.Y. 115; Warner v. Star Co., 162 A.D. 458.) It is not necessary first to reform the instrument. ( Susquehanna S.S. Co. v. Andersen Co., 239 N.Y. 285.) The rule is no different in the Municipal Court, since plaintiff does not seek equitable relief, but merely seeks to negative the affirmative defense interposed by the defendant. ( Mundler v. Palmer, 165 N.Y.S. 987; Jensen v. Barber Steamship Lines, 110 Misc. 632.)
Judgment reversed and new trial ordered, with thirty dollars costs to appellant to abide the event.
All concur; present, HAMMER, CALLAHAN and SHIENTAG, JJ.