Opinion
2019-186 N C
08-27-2020
SANDERS, SANDERS, BLOCK, WOYCIK, VIENER & GROSSMAN, P.C., Respondent, v. Steven WENDE and Colleen Connaughton-Wende, Appellants.
Steven Wende and Colleen Connaughton-Wende, appellants pro se. Paul Ajlouny & Assoc., P.C. (Edward J. Nitkewicz of counsel), for respondent.
Steven Wende and Colleen Connaughton-Wende, appellants pro se.
Paul Ajlouny & Assoc., P.C. (Edward J. Nitkewicz of counsel), for respondent.
PRESENT: THOMAS A. ADAMS, P.J., BRUCE E. TOLBERT, JERRY GARGUILO, JJ.
ORDERED that the order is affirmed, without costs.
After plaintiff, Sanders, Sanders, Block, Woycik, Viener & Grossman, P.C., commenced this action to recover attorneys' fees, the matter was arbitrated pursuant to Rules of the Chief Judge (22 NYCRR) part 28. On May 24, 2018, the arbitrator awarded plaintiff the principal sum of $6,080. The arbitration award was annexed to a notice of arbitration award, dated May 24, 2018, issued by a clerk of the Nassau County District Court, which notice informed defendants that any demand for a trial de novo had to be filed, with proof of service, with the clerk of the Nassau County District Court, on or before June 28, 2018. Defendants failed to serve or file their demand for a trial de novo until June 29, 2018. They subsequently moved for an order extending their time to demand a trial de novo, in effect conceding that their time to do so had expired. Defendants alleged that plaintiff had avoided service of their demand, and that their delay in serving and filing a demand for a trial de novo had also been due to confusion about applicable court procedures occasioned by their pro se status. By order dated December 6, 2018, the District Court denied their motion, citing Rules of the Chief Administrator of the Courts (22 NYCRR) § 137.8 (a) in support of its conclusion that defendants had been untimely in seeking de novo review following arbitration.
At the outset, we note that the District Court improperly cited to Rules of the Chief Administrator of the Courts (22 NYCRR) part 137 in reaching its decision. Part 137 establishes an informal method for the resolution of fee disputes and a method for seeking de novo review of an arbitration award made pursuant to part 137 by the commencement of an action on the merits in a court of competent jurisdiction (Rules of Chief Admin of Cts [ 22 NYCRR] § 137.8 ). Part 137 is inapplicable here, since an action had already been commenced. Instead, the arbitration was conducted pursuant to Rules of the Chief Judge (22 NYCRR) part 28, as was indicated in the court clerk's notice of arbitration award.
Rules of the Chief Judge (22 NYCRR) § 28.12 establishes a 30-day deadline to demand a trial de novo, or a 35-day deadline if service of the notice of award is by mail. After the expiration of the time to demand a trial de novo, in the absence of such demand, unless the award is vacated, the arbitrator's award becomes final (see Rules of Chief Judge [ 22 NYCRR] § 28.11 [b] ). As defendants failed to either serve or file a timely demand for a trial de novo (cf. Rules of Chief Judge [ 22 NYCRR] § 28.12 [b] ), their motion was properly denied (see Molla v. Alam , 51 Misc. 3d 136[A], 2016 N.Y. Slip Op. 50560[U] [App. Term, 2d Dept., 9th & 10th Jud. Dists 2016]; Citibank (SD), N.A. v. Boyce , 44 Misc. 3d 128[A], 2014 N.Y. Slip Op. 50981[U] [App. Term, 2d Dept., 9th & 10th Jud. Dists 2014]; U.S. Building and Design Inc. v. Melia , 2003 N.Y. Slip Op. 50847[U] [App. Term, 2d Dept., 9th & 10th Jud. Dists. 2003]; see also Chase v. Scalici , 97 AD2d 25 [1983] ).
We reach no other issue.
Accordingly, the order is affirmed.
ADAMS, P.J., TOLBERT and GARGUILO, JJ., concur.