Expedite Video Conferencing Services, Inc. v. Botello

In an action to recover damages for breach of contract, the defendant appeals from an order of the Supreme Court, Nassau County (Woodard, J.), entered June 25, 2008, which granted the plaintiffs motion for leave to voluntarily discontinue the action, without prejudice, pursuant to CPLR 3217 (b). Ordered that the order is affirmed, with costs. The determination of a motion for leave to voluntarily discontinue an action, without prejudice, pursuant to CPLR 3217 (b), rests within the sound discretion of the court (see Tucker v Tucker, 55 NY2d 378, 383 [1982]). In the absence of special circumstances, such as prejudice to a substantial right of the defendant, or other improper consequences, a motion for a voluntary discontinuance should be granted (see Tucker v Tucker, 55 NY2d 378 [1982]; Eugenia VI Venture Holdings, Ltd. v MapleWood Equity Partners, L.P., 38 AD3d 264 [2007]; Parraguirre v 27th St. Holding, LLC, 37 AD3d 793 [2007]; Mathias v Daily News, 301 AD2d 503 [2003]; Urbonowicz v Yarinsky, 290 AD2d 922, 923 [2002]; County of Westchester v Welton Becket Assoc., 102 AD2d 34 [1984]). Here, the Supreme Court properly exercised its discretion in granting the plaintiffs motion to voluntarily discontinue the action, as there was no showing of special circumstances (see Citibank v Nagrotsky, 239 AD2d 456 [1997]). Mastro, J.P., Belen, Hall and Austin, JJ., concur.