Opinion
October Term, 1896.
Charles M. Stafford, for the appellant.
H.H. Snedeker, for the respondent.
The appeal in this case is without merit, and upon the law does not present a debatable question. It is well settled that in an action for specific performance, the specific relief may be denied and an award of damages may be made. ( Haffey v. Lynch, 143 N.Y. 241; O'Beirne v. Bullis, 2 App. Div. 545.)
The pleader had the clear right to ask for specific performance, or, in the event that it could not be decreed, to ask for an award of damages, or to ask for both specific performance and damages. ( Witherbee v. Meyer, 84 Hun, 146.)
Dieckman was a necessary party, as he held the legal title. The complaint alleged that he was without interest in fact, but that he held the legal title for the benefit of the other defendant who alone was beneficially interested. In order to obtain specific performance it was absolutely necessary that Dieckman be made a party, in order that the proper conveyance might be made. In section 447, Code of Civil Procedure, is found the authority for making him a party, and the fact that he might not be affected by the judgment, if specific performance was denied and damages awarded, in no way affects the question of his proper joinder as a party defendant in the action.
The judgment appealed from should be affirmed, with costs, with leave to the defendant Dieckman to answer within twenty days after the service of a copy of the judgment, on payment of costs.
All concurred.
Judgment affirmed, with costs, with leave to appellant to answer in twenty days on payment of costs.