ELLNER v. ULTIMATE AUTO BODY (2022)

ORDERED that the judgment is reversed, without costs, and the matter is remitted to the Justice Court for a new trial.

In this small claims action, plaintiff seeks to recover the sum that he paid to have his car released from storage. At a nonjury trial, statements were made by plaintiff and by a witness for defendant, who was only identified in the transcript as “Mr. Beobide.” Neither plaintiff nor Mr. Beobide was sworn, nor did Mr. Beobide indicate his relationship to defendant.

“[A]ll persons testifying in a civil action, even a small claims action, must be sworn” (Diederich v Del Prior, 18 Misc 3d 132[A], 2008 NY Slip Op 50084[U], *2 [App Term, 2d Dept, 9th & 10th Jud Dists 2008]; see also Remy v Elegant HVAC, Inc., 51 Misc 3d 146[A], 2016 NY Slip Op 50742[U] [App Term, 2d Dept, 2d, 11th & 13th Jud Dists 2016]; Platinum Ridge Hoa, Inc. v Rovenskiy, 24 Misc 3d 136[A], 2009 NY Slip Op 51501[U] [App Term, 2d Dept, 2d, 11th & 13th Jud Dists 2009]; Trensky v Johnson, 1 Misc 3d 50 [App Term, 1st Dept 2003]). Indeed, the Small Claims Part procedures require that an oath or affirmation be administered to all witnesses (see 22 NYCRR 214.10 [j]).

As the plaintiff's entire case rested only upon the unsworn testimony of plaintiff and defendant's rebuttal rested only upon the unsworn testimony of defendant's unidentified witness, the judgment is reversed and the matter is remanded to the Justice Court for a new trial.

GARGUILO, P.J., EMERSON and DRISCOLL, JJ., concur.