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Astoria Federal Savings & Loan Ass'n v. Thrift Associations Service Corp.

Citations: 237 A.D.2d 475; 655 N.Y.S.2d 977; 1997 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 2851

Court: Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York; March 23, 1997; New York; State Appellate Court

Narrative Opinion Summary

In a breach of contract case, the plaintiffs appealed a judgment from the Supreme Court of Westchester County, which dismissed their complaint and ruled in favor of the defendant on a counterclaim for $950. The appellate court affirmed the judgment and awarded costs to the defendant. The court emphasized that findings from a nonjury trial, particularly those based on witness credibility, should only be overturned if there is no reasonable interpretation of the evidence supporting the trial court's conclusions. In this instance, the evidence indicated that the defendant did not breach the contract. The plaintiffs' other arguments were deemed without merit. Judges Rosenblatt, O'Brien, Copertino, and Goldstein concurred with the decision.

Legal Issues Addressed

Awarding of Costs on Appeal

Application: The appellate court awarded costs to the defendant after affirming the trial court's judgment.

Reasoning: The appellate court affirmed the judgment and awarded costs to the defendant.

Breach of Contract Determination

Application: The appellate court found the trial court's conclusion that the defendant did not breach the contract was supported by the evidence presented.

Reasoning: In this instance, the evidence indicated that the defendant did not breach the contract.

Merit of Appellate Arguments

Application: The appellate court rejected the plaintiffs' arguments on appeal, finding them without merit.

Reasoning: The plaintiffs' other arguments were deemed without merit.

Standard of Review for Nonjury Trial Findings

Application: The appellate court affirms the trial court's findings from a nonjury trial, especially those based on witness credibility, unless there is no reasonable interpretation of the evidence that supports the trial court's conclusions.

Reasoning: The court emphasized that findings from a nonjury trial, particularly those based on witness credibility, should only be overturned if there is no reasonable interpretation of the evidence supporting the trial court's conclusions.