Evidence submitted to support a motion to dismiss under CPLR 3211(a)(1) must be unambiguous, authentic, and undeniable to qualify as documentary evidence.
A general contractor’s subcontractor sued an insurer for breach of a payment bond after the insurer refused to pay. The insurer moved to dismiss, arguing the bond was held in escrow and never became effective, and supported the motion with letters and emails. The court considered whether such materials qualify as documentary evidence under CPLR 3211(a)(1). The court applies the rule that evidence submitted in support of a motion to dismiss must be documentary, meaning it must be unambiguous, authentic, and undeniable. Because letters and emails are not considered documentary evidence, the court holds that the insurer failed to establish the escrow agreement and its terms. The court reverses the lower court’s dismissal.
At page 714 Defining documentary evidence for motions to dismiss31 citing cases“the evidence submitted in support of such motion must be documentary or the motion must be denied”
- Janover, LLC v. Smith, 245 A.D.3d 907 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep't 2026).published"In order for evidence submitted under a CPLR 3211(a)(1) motion to qualify as documentary evidence, it must be unambiguous, authentic, and undeniable" ( Cives Corp. v George A. Fuller Co., Inc. , 97 AD3d 713, 714 [internal quotation marks…
- Kliger-Weiss Infosystems, Inc. v. Darien Sport Shop, Inc., 241 A.D.3d 1442 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep't 2025).published"In order for evidence submitted under a CPLR 3211(a)(1) motion to qualify as documentary evidence, it must be unambiguous, authentic, and undeniable" ( Cives Corp. v George A. Fuller Co., Inc. , 97 AD3d 713, 714 [internal quotation marks…
- Patel v. Edmund, 237 A.D.3d 961 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep't 2025).publishedHere, in addition to unsuccessfully raising the defense of usury with respect to the promissory note, the defendant relied on a "Gift Letter," which did not constitute documentary evidence within the meaning of CPLR 3211(a)(1) ( see Cives…
- Bondarevsky v. Shamis Chiropractic P.C., 2024 NY Slip Op 50916(U) (N.Y. Sup. Kings 2024).unpublishedCritical in this context, the Second Department has repeatedly held that, as a condition sine qua non for the grant of a motion to dismiss under CPLR 3211 (a) (1): The evidence submitted in support of such motion must be " 'documentary' "…
- S & J Serv. Ctr., Inc. v. Com. Com. Grp., Inc., 178 A.D.3d 977 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep't 2019).published "The evidence submitted in support of such motion must be documentary or the motion must be denied" ( Cives Corp. v George A. Fuller Co., Inc. , 97 AD3d 713, 714 [internal quotation marks omitted]; see Attias v Costiera , 120 AD3d 1281 ; F…
- Elite Laser Hair, Inc. v. Perfect Body Image, LLC, 2018 NY Slip Op 8466 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep't 2018).published"The evidence submitted in support of such motion must be documentary or the motion must be denied" ( Cives Corp. v George A. Fuller Co., Inc. , 97 AD3d 713, 714 [internal quotation marks omitted]; see Fontanetta v John Doe 1 , 73 AD3d 78,…
- Gorbatov v. Tsirelman, 155 A.D.3d 836 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep't 2017).publishedFurther, the affidavits, letters, and spreadsheets submitted by the defendants in support of their motions did not constitute documentary evidence pursuant to CPLR 3211 (a) (1) (see Cives Corp. v George A. Fuller Co., Inc., 97 AD3d 713, 71…
- Ralex Servs., Inc. v. Sw. Marine & Gen. Ins. Co., 155 A.D.3d 800 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep't 2017).published “The evidence submitted in support of such motion must be documentary or the motion must be denied” (Cives Corp. v George A. Fuller Co., Inc., 97 AD3d 713, 714 [2012] [internal quotation marks omitted]; see Attias v Costiera, 120 AD3d 1281…
- Feldshteyn v. Brighton Beach 2012, LLC, 153 A.D.3d 670 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep't 2017).published “The evidence submitted in support of such motion must be documentary or the motion must be denied” (Cives Corp. v George A. Fuller Co., Inc., 97 AD3d 713, 714 [2012] [internal quotation marks omitted]; see Attias v Costiera, 120 AD3d 1281…
- 221 Middle Neck Owners Corp. v. Paris, 56 Misc. 3d 855 (2017).publishedFor evidence to qualify as “documentary evidence” under this section, “it must be ‘unambiguous, authentic and undeniable’ ” (see Cives Corp. v George A. Fuller Co., Inc., 97 AD3d 713, 714 [2d Dept 2012]).
Show 14 more citing cases
- Reiss v. Deutsche Bank Nat'l Trust Co., 53 Misc. 3d 752 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. 2016).published Trust, Inc., 109 AD3d 495 [2013]): Further, the evidence submitted in support of a motion pursuant to CPLR 3211 (a) (1) to dismiss a complaint on the ground that a defense is founded on documentary evidence ‘must be documentary or the moti…
- Anderson v. Armentano, 139 A.D.3d 769 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep't 2016).published“The evidence submitted in support of a [CPLR 3211 (a) (1)] motion must be ‘documentary’ or the motion must be denied” (Cives Corp. v George A. Fuller Co., Inc., 97 AD3d 713, 714 [2012], quoting Fontanetta v John Doe 1, 73 AD3d 78, 84 [201…
- Eisner v. Cusumano Constr., Inc., 132 A.D.3d 940 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep't 2015).published “The evidence submitted in support of such motion must be ‘documentary’ or the motion must be denied” (Cives Corp. v George A. Fuller Co., Inc., 97 AD3d 713, 714 [2012], quoting Fontanetta v John Doe 1, 73 AD3d 78, 84 [2010] [internal quot…
- Darby Grp. Companies, Inc. v. Wulforst Acquisition, LLC, 130 A.D.3d 866 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep't 2015).published Amotion to dismiss pursuant to CPLR 3211 (a) (1) is properly-granted where the documentary evidence submitted utterly refutes the factual allegations of the pleading and conclusively establishes a defense to the claim as a matter of law (s…
- 25-01 Newkirk Avenue, LLC v. Everest Nat'l Ins., 127 A.D.3d 850 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep't 2015).published“In order for evidence submitted under a CPLR 3211 (a) (1) motion to qualify as ‘documentary evidence,’ it must be ‘unambiguous, authentic, and undeniable’ ” (Cives Corp. v George A. Fuller Co., Inc., 97 AD3d 713, 714 [2012], quoting Grana…
- Attias v. Costiera, 120 A.D.3d 1281 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep't 2014).published “The evidence submitted in support of such motion must be documentary or the motion must be denied” (Cives Corp. v George A. Fuller Co., Inc., 97 AD3d 713, 714 [2012] [internal quotation marks omitted]; see Fontanetta v John Doe 1, 73 AD3d…
- Zellner v. Odyl, LLC, 117 A.D.3d 1040 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep't 2014).published Co. v North Shore Risk Mgt., 114 AD3d 408 [2014]; Cives Corp. v George A. Fuller Co., Inc., 97 AD3d 713, 714 [2012]; Fontanetta v John Doe 1, 73 AD3d 78, 83-84 [2010]).
- Leading Ins. Grp. Ins. v. Greenwich Ins., 44 Misc. 3d 435 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. 2014).publishedDeposition transcripts are not “documentary evidence” for purposes of CPLR 3211 (a) (1) (see Cives Corp. v George A. Fuller Co., Inc., 97 AD3d 713, 714 [2d Dept 2012]); and, assuming that deposition testimony is admissible on a motion purs…
- Rodolico v. Rubin & Licatesi, P.C., 114 A.D.3d 923 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep't 2014).published Further, the evidence submitted in support of a motion pursuant to CPLR 3211 (a) (1) to dismiss a complaint on the ground that a defense is founded on documentary evidence “must be documentary or the motion must be denied” (Cives Corp. v G…
- Rodolico v. Rubin & Licatesi, P.C., 112 A.D.3d 608 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep't 2013).published The evidence submitted in support of a motion pursuant to CPLR 3211 (a) (1) to dismiss a complaint on the ground that a defense is founded on documentary evidence “must be documentary or the motion must be denied” (Cives Corp. v George A.…
- Approved Oil Co. of Brooklyn v. Realty, 111 A.D.3d 588 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep't 2013).published Univ., 106 AD3d 794 , 795 [2013]; Cives Corp. v George A. Fuller Co., Inc., 97 AD3d 713, 714 [2012]; Jones v Rochdale Vil., Inc., 96 AD3d 1014 , 1017 [2012]).
- Palmieri v. Biggiani, 108 A.D.3d 604 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep't 2013).published In support of that branch of his motion which was pursuant to CPLR 3211 (a) (1) to dismiss the cause of action alleging legal malpractice, the defendant failed to present documentary evidence conclusively establishing a defense as a matter…
- Yue Fung USA Enter., Inc. v. Novelty Crystal Corp., 105 A.D.3d 840 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep't 2013).published Co. of N.Y., 98 NY2d 314, 326 [2002]; Bua v Purcell & Ingrao, P.C., 99 AD3d 843 , 844-845 [2012], lv denied 20 NY3d 857 [2013]; Midorimatsu, Inc. v Hui Fat Co., 99 AD3d 680, 681-682 [2012]; Yusin v Saddle Lakes Home Owners Assn., Inc., 73…
- Prott v. Lewin & Baglio, LLP, 150 A.D.3d 908 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep't 2017).publishedThe evidence submitted in support of such motion must be “ ‘documentary’ ” or the motion must be denied (Fontanetta v John Doe 1, 73 AD3d 78, 84 [2010], quoting Siegel, Practice Commentaries, McKinney’s Cons Laws of NY, Book 7B, CPLR C3211…
Other citing cases
- U.S. Bank N.A. v. Kahn Prop. Owner, LLC, 206 A.D.3d 850 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep't 2022).published
- Garcia v. Shah, 206 A.D.3d 626 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep't 2022).published
- Giambrone v. Arnone, Lowth, Wilson, Leibowitz, Adriano & Greco, 197 A.D.3d 459 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep't 2021).published
- Fin. Assistance, Inc. v. Graham, 191 A.D.3d 952 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep't 2021).published
- Edward Horton Bldrs., Inc. v. Arch Specialty Ins. Co., 189 A.D.3d 998 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep't 2020).published
- Bonavita v. Gov't Employees Ins. Co., 185 A.D.3d 892 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep't 2020).published
- Leader v. Steinway, Inc., 180 A.D.3d 886 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep't 2020).published
- JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. v. Klein, 178 A.D.3d 788 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep't 2019).published
- Minchala v. 829 Jefferson, LLC, 177 A.D.3d 866 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep't 2019).published
- Phoenix Grantor Trust v. Exclusive Hosp., LLC, 172 A.D.3d 923 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep't 2019).published
v.
George A. Fuller Company, Inc., and Liberty Mutual Insurance Company
The defendant George A. Fuller Company, Inc. (hereinafter Fuller), was the general contractor on a construction project known as the Concord Hotel & Casino-Retail-Event Center-Ballroom, located in Kiamesha Lake (hereinafter the Project). The plaintiff contracted with Fuller to provide labor and materials for the Project. The defendant Liberty Mutual Insurance Company (hereinafter Liberty) allegedly issued a payment bond in connection with the Project.
After supplying labor and materials for the Project, the plaintiff submitted invoices to Fuller in the amount of $8,952,294, but Fuller allegedly failed to pay the invoices. The plaintiff then submitted a claim to Liberty for payment under the payment bond, but Liberty refused to pay the claim. The plaintiff then commenced this action, inter alia, to recover damages for Liberty’s breach of its obligations under the payment bond. It attached a copy of Liberty’s alleged payment bond to its summons and complaint.
Liberty moved pursuant to CPLR 3211 (a) (1) to dismiss the complaint insofar as asserted against it, arguing that the bond had no legal effect. It claimed that it had only released the bond to Fuller to be held in escrow subject to certain conditions in an[*714] escrow agreement, that those conditions had never been met and, thus, the bond had never been released from escrow, never become effective, and was returned to it by Fuller. To establish the existence of the escrow agreement and the fact that the terms of the agreement were never met, Liberty submitted, inter alia, various letters and emails. The Supreme Court granted Liberty’s motion. The plaintiff appeals and we reverse.
“A motion to dismiss pursuant to CPLR 3211 (a) (1) will be granted only if the documentary evidence resolves all factual issues as a matter of law, and conclusively disposes of the plaintiff’s claim” (Fontanetta v John Doe 1, 73 AD3d 78, 83 [2010] [internal quotation marks omitted]; see Reid v Gateway Sherman, Inc., 60 AD3d 836, 837 [2009]). The evidence submitted in support of such motion must be “ ‘documentary’ ” or the motion must be denied (Fontanetta v John Doe 1, 73 AD3d at 84, quoting Siegel, Practice Commentaries, McKinney’s Cons Laws of NY, Book 7B, CPLR C3211:10, at 22). In order for evidence submitted under a CPLR 3211 (a) (1) motion to qualify as “documentary evidence,” it must be “unambiguous, authentic, and undeniable” (Granada Condominium III Assn. v Palomino, 78 AD3d 996, 996-997 [2010] [internal quotation marks omitted]). “[J]udicial records, as well as documents reflecting out-of-court transactions such as mortgages, deeds, contracts, and any other papers, the contents of which are essentially undeniable, would qualify as documentary evidence in the proper case” (Fontanetta v John Doe 1, 73 AD3d at 84-85 [internal quotation marks omitted]). At the same time, “[n]either affidavits, deposition testimony, nor letters are considered documentary evidence within the intendment of CPLR 3211 (a) (1)” (Granada Condominium III Assn. v Palomino, 78 AD3d at 997 [internal quotation marks omitted]; see Suchmacher v Manana Grocery, 73 AD3d 1017 [2010]; Fontanetta v John Doe 1, 73 AD3d at 86).
Here, the letters and emails submitted by Liberty did not constitute “documentary evidence” under CPLR 3211 (a) (1) and, thus, should not have been considered by the Supreme Court (see Integrated Constr. Servs., Inc. v Scottsdale Ins. Co., 82 AD3d 1160, 1163 [2011]; Granada Condominium III Assn. v Palomino, 78 AD3d at 997; Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP v Fashion Boutique of Short Hills, Inc., 10 AD3d 267, 271 [2004]). Without these materials, Liberty did not establish the existence of the escrow agreement or the fact that the terms of the agreement were never met. Accordingly, the Supreme Court erred in granting Liberty’s motion pursuant to CPLR 3211 (a) (1) to dismiss the complaint insofar as asserted against it. Skelos, J.P., Leventhal, Belen and Roman, JJ., concur.