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5 Daly 72

Dittenhoeffer v. Lewis

New York Court of Common Pleas

Decided February 15, 1874

New York Court of Common Pleas · decided 1874-02-15

Appeal by defendant from an order of this court made at special term, directing (against the defendant’s opposition), a reference to hear and decide the issues, on the ground that the trial would require the examination of a long account. The action was brought to recover $5,000 for the services of the plaintiff as attorney and counsel, and the plaintiff served a bill of particulars, which extended over a period of several years, and included about thirty items.

Relies on Tmomas v. Reab · 13 How. Pr. 346 - Appointment of Referee

Decided 1874-02-15

Daly, Chief Justice.

¶1The stipulation filed by the defendant admits that all the services mentioned in the bill of particulars were rendered at the times therein stated, except two items in the bill (of $500 and $375), to which the defense of the statute of limitations is set up. This disposes of the question of the plaintiff’s right to a reference. The two items excepted relate each to distinct subject-matters, and do not in themselves constitute an account. They are not even in the bill separated into items, and all that the plaintiff will have to show is what he did under these two heads, and whether what he did in one case was worth $500 and in the other $375. All the other services being admitted, he will merely have to prove their value, which he may do by proving the value of each item or the value of the whole collectively. An account is not involved, because a number of items or distinct facts will have to be proved (Turner v. Taylor, 2 Daly, 282 ; Sharp v. The Mayor &c. of New York, 18 How. Pr. R. 213 ; Thomas v. Reab, 6 Wend. 503; McCullough v. Brodie, 13 How. Pr. 346), and that *74is all that there is in this case to constitute an account. The •order directing a reference should he reversed.

¶2Labbemobe and Loew, JJ., concurred.

¶3Order reversed.

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