Opinion
November, 1900.
L.B. Boudin, for appellant.
William Stainton, for respondent.
We think, upon the whole, there should be a reversal of the judgment in this case. The evidence shows that the agreement, with respect to the performance of which the money sued for was deposited with the defendant, was not an agreement of partnership, but an agreement to enter into a copartnership, the articles of which were to be subsequently drawn and executed. It is true that the record shows that counsel on both sides apparently admitted the existence of a copartnership, but the evidence, with respect to the circumstances under which the money was paid, certainly indicates that such payment was understood by the parties to be in the nature of an assurance that the articles of copartnership would be executed within the time stipulated therefor by the parties. At the close of the plaintiff's case the court below dismissed the complaint, evidently on the ground that because a copartnership was admitted, the plaintiff could only bring an action in equity for an accounting, and that the Municipal Court had no jurisdiction to entertain such a suit. The facts, however, plainly show that the money was paid to the defendant and was received by him as a deposit which was to be forfeited in case the plaintiff failed to sign the articles of copartnership; that is, in case of a breach of the executory contract which he had entered into with the defendant, that a copartnership between them should be formed. An action upon such an executory agreement may be maintained at law.
The trial justice also erred in awarding judgment in favor of the defendant dismissing the complaint on the merits. There was no trial of the cause on the merits, and if it was to be dismissed, there could be only a dismissal without prejudice to a new action. Merkin v. Gersh, 30 Misc. 758.
Judgment reversed and new trial ordered, with costs to the appellant to abide the event.
Present: BEEKMAN, P.J., GIEGERICH and O'GORMAN, JJ.
Judgment reversed and new trial ordered, with costs to appellant to abide event.