Michelle Karen Stefurak Cerna, Appellant, v. Eric Goldman, Respondent. (2024)

ORDERED that the judgment, insofar as appealed from, is affirmed, without costs.

In September 2022, plaintiff commenced this small claims action for property damage allegedly caused by defendant, her adjoining neighbor. Specifically, she sought to recover the sum of $5,000 on the ground that, on June 8, 2021, defendant removed ten juniper trees that were planted along her side of the property line. At a nonjury trial, both parties submitted ample evidence, including photographs, videos, and land surveys. The court reviewed the evidence and ruled that the trees were on defendant's property and that he had the right to remove them. The judgment, insofar as appealed from, dismissed plaintiff's cause of action.

In a small claims action, our review is limited to a determination of whether "substantial justice has . . . been done between the parties according to the rules and principles of substantive law" (UDCA 1807; see UDCA 1804; Ross v Friedman, 269 AD2d 584 [2000]; Williams v Roper, 269 AD2d 125, 126 [2000]). Furthermore, the determination of a trier of fact as to issues of credibility is given substantial deference, as a trial court's opportunity to observe and evaluate the testimony and demeanor of the witnesses affords it a better perspective from which to assess their credibility (see Vizzari v State of New York, 184 AD2d 564 [1992]; Kincade v Kincade, 178 AD2d 510, 511 [1991]). This deference applies with greater force to judgments rendered in the Small Claims Part of the court (see Williams v Roper, 269 AD2d at 126). Upon a review of the record, we find that the judgment, insofar as appealed from, rendered substantial justice between the parties according to the rules and principles of substantive law (see UDCA 1804, 1807).

Accordingly, the judgment, insofar as appealed from, is affirmed.

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

ENTER:

Paul Kenny

Chief Clerk

Decision Date: March 22, 2024