Personeni v. Aquino

Citation174 N.Y.S.2d 22,5 A.D.2d 616
PartiesJosephine PERSONENI, Plaintiff-Respondent, v. Cyrus AQUINO, Defendant, John J. McCloskey, Sheriff of The City of New York, Appellant.
Decision Date20 May 1958
CourtNew York Supreme Court Appellate Division

Sidney Posner, New York City, of counsel (A. G. Grayzel, New York City, with him on the brief), for appellant.

Jacob D. Fishman, New York City, for respondent.

Before BOTEIN, P. J., and RABIN, McNALLY, STEVENS and BERGAN, JJ.

PER CURIAM.

The right of a sheriff to collect or receive poundage fees on an execution was nonexistent at common law and is strictly dependent upon the terms of the statute making provision therefor (Campbell v. Cothran, 56 N.Y. 279, 281). Section 1558, subd. 7 of the Civil Practice Act accords the sheriff poundage upon moneys which have been collected by virtue of an execution. Where there has not been actual collection the sheriff may nevertheless be entitled to poundage upon the value of the property levied upon (1) where there has been a settlement or interference by the judgment creditor equivalent to collection which has prevented the sheriff from realizing on the execution (Campbell v. Cothran, supra; Civ.Prac.Act § 1558, subd. 19); or (2) where an execution has been 'vacated or set aside' (Civ.Prac.Act § 1558, subd. 19).

In this case there was no collection, and no action having been commenced within 120 days, as required by Civ.Prac.Act § 687-a, subd. 7, the levy became void by operation of law. The failure of the plaintiff to institute timely action did not constitute an act of interference, nor has the execution been 'vacated or set aside' by the passage of time. Construing the statute strictly, as we must for it is in derogation of common law, we hold that while inaction may have rendered the execution ineffective and void, it was not 'vacated or set aside' so as to bring it within the precise terms of Section 1558, subd. 19 (cf. Flack v. State of New York, 95 N.Y. 461, 462). We do not therefore find it necessary to pass upon the question of how the value of the mortgage debt claimed to be subject to poundage is to be computed.

The orders appealed from should be affirmed.

Orders unanimously affirmed with $20 costs and disbursements to the respondent. Order filed.

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3 cases
  • Corigliano v. Catla Construction Co.
    • United States
    • U.S. District Court — Southern District of New York
    • June 15, 1964
    ...1962, to lapse by not bringing an action to enforce it within 120 days. N.Y.Civ.Prac.Act § 687-a(7); Personeni v. Aquino, 5 App.Div.2d 616, 174 N.Y.S. 2d 22 (1st Dept.1958) (per curiam), aff'd, 6 N.Y.2d 35, 187 N.Y.S.2d 764, 159 N.E. 2d 559 (1959); Davis & Warshow, Inc. v. S. Iser, Inc., 30......
  • McCloskey v. Boyles
    • United States
    • New York Supreme Court — Appellate Term
    • June 20, 1960
    ...with $10 costs to defendant and motion for judgment on the pleadings denied. The right to poundage is statutory (Personeni v. Aquino, 5 A.D.2d 616, 174 N.Y.S.2d 22). Where an execution has been vacated or set aside, sub-section 21 of section 1558 of the Civil Practice Act provides for pound......
  • Personeni v. Aquino
    • United States
    • New York Supreme Court — Appellate Division
    • July 1, 1958
    ...of New York, Appellate Division, First Department. July 1, 1958. Motion for leave to appeal to the Court of Appeals granted. 5 A.D.2d 616, 174 N.Y.S.2d 22. Settle ...

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