Ancient Rule Prevents Suit

An ancient rule called for dismissal of claims against a law firm, according to an opinion of the New York Appellate Division for the First Judicial Department.

Plaintiff seeks compensatory and punitive damages resulting from an alleged scheme by defendants to defraud the court in a prior action between plaintiff and defendant GJF (Serrante v GJF Constr. Corp., 72 AD3d 543 [1st Dept 2010], lv denied 15 NY3d 704 [2010]), and related enforcement proceedings, in which defendant Moses & Singer represented GJF. Defendants’ motion to dismiss was properly granted since the action is barred by the “ancient rule that the courts of this State will not entertain civil actions for damages arising from alleged subornation of perjury in a prior civil proceeding” (Newin Corp. v Hartford Acc. & Indem. Co., 37 NY2d 211, 217 [1975]).

We have considered plaintiff’s remaining arguments and find them unavailing.

(Mike Frisch)