Landlord Must Produce Witness List Before Nuisance Trial

Landlord sued to evict tenant for creating a nuisance. Tenant sought pretrial document production from landlord. The court ruled for tenant, who later asked the court to dismiss the case based on landlord’s willful failure to provide some requested information. Landlord claimed that it responded properly to the document demand and that some witness identification information should be precluded due to fear of violence and threats from tenant. But the court had ordered production of specific documents and information, including a witness list, and didn’t believe that a protective order was needed. Landlord must provide all of the requested documents and information, including a complete witness list, within 30 days or else it will be barred from presenting evidence at trial. 

Mid Bronx HDFC v. Paulino: Index No. 20295/2015, NYLJ No. 1202780441660 (Civ. Ct. Bronx; 12/19/16; Asforis, J)