Opinion
January 13, 1972
Appeal from the Erie Special Term.
Present — Del Vecchio, J.P., Marsh, Witmer, Moule and Cardamone, JJ.
Order unanimously affirmed, without costs. Memorandum: In this action for specific performance or damages, plaintiff moved at Special Term for a change of venue because, it alleged, there is reason to believe that an impartial trial cannot be had in Erie County (CPLR 510, subd. 2). The fact that plaintiff laid the venue of its action in a proper county under CPLR 504 (subd. 1) does not constitute a waiver of its right to move for a change of venue on the grounds specified in CPLR 510 (subd. 2) or 510 (subd. 3); ( De Grasse Paper Co. v. Northern N.Y. Coal Co., 206 App. Div. 789, affd. 238 N.Y. 591). It is a fundamental rule, however, that where a plaintiff seeks both equitable and legal relief in respect of the same wrong, there is no right to trial by jury ( Di Menna v. Cooper Evans Co., 220 N.Y. 391, 396; see Matter of Garfield, 14 N.Y.2d 251, 258; 4 Weinstein-Korn-Miller, N.Y. Civ. Prac. par. 4101.36). In the present posture of this case, therefore, plaintiff has no right to a jury trial, and no showing has been made sufficient to support a determination that there is reason to believe that an impartial trial cannot be had in Erie County by a Judge without a jury.