Opinion
1462 CA 17–00985
03-16-2018
Eula C. DOZIER, Plaintiff–Respondent, v. VERIZON, Defendant–Appellant.
PHILLIPS LYTLE LLP, BUFFALO (RYAN A. LEMA OF COUNSEL), AND LEIGH R. SCHACHTER, BASKING RIDGE, NEW JERSEY, FOR DEFENDANT–APPELLANT. EULA C. DOZIER, PLAINTIFF–RESPONDENT PRO SE.
PHILLIPS LYTLE LLP, BUFFALO (RYAN A. LEMA OF COUNSEL), AND LEIGH R. SCHACHTER, BASKING RIDGE, NEW JERSEY, FOR DEFENDANT–APPELLANT.
EULA C. DOZIER, PLAINTIFF–RESPONDENT PRO SE.
PRESENT: CENTRA, J.P., PERADOTTO, DEJOSEPH, NEMOYER, AND CURRAN, JJ.
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
Memorandum:
Defendant appeals from an order denying its motion to compel arbitration. Contrary to defendant's contention, there are "substantial question[s] whether a valid [arbitration] agreement was made" between the parties ( CPLR 7503[a] ), specifically, whether plaintiff knowingly signed the alleged arbitration agreement and whether, if he did, the agreement is unconscionable (see Matter of Frankel v. Citicorp Ins. Servs., Inc., 80 A.D.3d 280, 284–287, 913 N.Y.S.2d 254 [2d Dept. 2010] ; Matter of Kennelly v. Mobius Realty Holdings LLC, 33 A.D.3d 380, 382–383, 822 N.Y.S.2d 264 [1st Dept. 2006] ; Oberlander v. Fine Care, 108 A.D.2d 798, 799, 485 N.Y.S.2d 313 [2d Dept. 1985] ). Supreme Court therefore properly denied the motion, and we note that the statute requires that the above "substantial question[s] ... be tried forthwith in said court" ( CPLR 7503[a] ; see generally Matter of County of Rockland [Primiano Constr. Co.], 51 N.Y.2d 1, 7, 431 N.Y.S.2d 478, 409 N.E.2d 951 [1980] ). At the hearing, defendant will have the burden of proving that plaintiff knowingly signed the alleged arbitration agreement, and plaintiff will have the burden of proving that the agreement, if any, is unconscionable (see Frankel, 80 AD3d at 291, 913 N.Y.S.2d 254 ; see generally Matter of Waldron [Goddess], 61 N.Y.2d 181, 183–184, 473 N.Y.S.2d 136, 461 N.E.2d 273 [1984] ).
It is hereby ORDERED that the order so appealed from is unanimously affirmed without costs.