New York Consolidated Laws

N.Y. Lien Law § 23 (2026)

Construction of article

✓ current as of May 2026

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§ 23. Construction of article. This article is to be construed
liberally to secure the beneficial interests and purposes thereof. A
substantial compliance with its several provisions shall be sufficient
for the validity of a lien and to give jurisdiction to the courts to
enforce the same.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 52 cases (7 in the last 5 years), 1985–2025 · leading case: In the Matter of Delilah Rigano v. Vibar Constr., 23 N.E.3d 1016 (NY 2014).

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In the Matter of Delilah Rigano v. Vibar Constr., 23 N.E.3d 1016 (NY 2014). · cites it 2× “*419 Article 2 of the Lien Law provides that it “is to be construed liberally to secure the beneficial interests and purposes thereof’ (Lien Law § 23), which include “providing] security for laborers and materialmen and .”

Skanska USA Bldg. Inc. v. Atl. Yards B2 Owner, LLC, 2016 NY Slip Op 6903 (N.Y. App. Div. 2016). · cites it 2× “Because the statute is remedial in nature, it is to be construed liberally to secure the beneficial interests and purposes thereof (Lien Law § 23). It is intended to protect financially those who have directly expended labor and materials to improve real property at the…”

Niagara Venture v. Sicoli & Massaro, Inc., 566 N.E.2d 648 (NY 1990). · cites it 2× “Petitioner's strict reading of the relevant sections runs afoul also of Lien Law § 23, which specifies that the statute, being remedial, should be read liberally to secure its beneficial interests and purposes.”

Ferrara v. Peaches Cafe LLC, 32 N.Y.3d 348 (NY 2018). “Accordingly, the law "is to be construed liberally to secure the beneficial interests and purposes thereof" ( West-Fair , 87 NY2d at 156 [quoting Lien Law § 23]). To enforce a lien under Lien Law § 3, a contractor performing work for a tenant need not have any direct…”

Peachy v. First 97-101 Reade Street Assocs., Inc., 180 A.D.2d 474 (N.Y. App. Div. 1992). · cites it 2× “Further, Lien Law § 23 states, in pertinent part, "[t]his article is to be construed liberally to secure the beneficial interests and purposes thereof.”

West-Fair Elec. Contractors v. Aetna Cas. & Sur. Co., 661 N.E.2d 967 (NY 1995). “The Lien Law provides that article 2, which governs mechanics’ liens, "is to be construed liberally to secure the beneficial interests and purposes thereof’ (Lien Law § 23). The Lien Law also provides, "Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, any contract, agreement or…”

Kellett's Well Boring, Inc. v. City of New York, 292 A.D.2d 179 (N.Y. App. Div. 2002). “Although the Lien Law is to be “construed liberally” and “substantial compliance” thereof shall be sufficient in particular situations (Lien Law § 23), such rules of liberal construction and substantial compliance cannot supplant the clear mandatory language of Lien Law § 18, i.”

Matter of JT2 Squared Realty, LLC v. Interiors by Shelley Stein-Bigajer, 2023 NY Slip Op 04591 (N.Y. App. Div. 2023). “A substantial compliance with its several provisions shall be sufficient for the validity of a lien and to give jurisdiction to the courts to enforce the same" ( Matter of Matrix Staten Is.”

East Coast Mines & Materials Corp. v. Golf Course Props. Co., 228 A.D.2d 545 (N.Y. App. Div. 1996). “To invalidate the lien based upon such a technical defect "would do violence to Lien Law § 23, which provides that such law 'is to be construed liberally to secure the beneficial interests and purposes thereof’ and that, 'substantial compliance with its several provisions shall…”

Matter of Malbro Constr. Servs., Inc. v. Straightedge Bldrs., Inc., 2020 NY Slip Op 06792 (N.Y. App. Div. 2020). · cites it 2× “In determining the validity of a notice of lien, the requirements of the Lien Law are "to be construed liberally to secure the beneficial interests and purposes thereof.”

MacQuesten Gen. Contracting, Inc. v. HCE, INC., 296 F. Supp. 2d 437 (S.D.N.Y. 2003). “” N.Y. Lien Law § 23 . Finally, a lienor may amend its notice of lien as of right within sixty days of the original filing, N.”

Edwards & Zuck, P.C. v. Cappelli Enter., Inc., 124 A.D.3d 181 (N.Y. App. Div. 2014). “The law governing mechanic’s liens is thus liberally construed to ensure that its purpose is accomplished, and substantial compliance with its provisions is generally sufficient (see Lien Law §§ 23, 40; Greenwich Excavating & Constr.”

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