Community Magazine August 2017

YOU JUDGE! BE THE UNWARRANTED DEFAMATION AND LEGAL FEES Alan and Steven were equal partners in numerous real estate holdings in the Tri-State area. Unfortunately, the two began to quarrel over relatively petty issues and, as a result, they decided to terminate their partnership. The transition process was far from smooth, and a full-fledged dispute broke out regarding their respective shares in one of their properties. Alan immediately reached out to our Bet Din and summonsed Steven to resolve the matter according to Torah law. Steven did not reply to our Bet Din, but rather filed suit against Alan in civil court. Alan reluctantly hired an attorney and prepared for the upcoming hearing. In the interim, since the two are relatively high profile personalities, the news of their recent dispute reached the media. The undue publicity somewhat tainted their otherwise fine reputations, as the allegations and news coverage were quite nasty. The exorbitant legal fees involved were only the beginning of an anticipated multi-year dispute. Finally, family and friends of the two intervened, and successfully persuaded Steven to discontinue the legal proceedings in civil court. Instead, Steven agreed to comply with Alan’s original motion to resolve the matter in Bet Din. Immediately after the two signed a legal binding of arbitration in Bet Din, Alan demanded reimbursement for the unwarranted legal fees he incurred because of Steven’s lawsuit in civil court. Furthermore, Alan requested compensation for the public defamation of character caused by the lawsuit, not to mention the terrible embarrassment Steven caused by lobbing false allegations in a public forum. Steven responded that as a resident of New York he maintained the legal right to go to civil court and should not be penalized for taking that recourse. He only agreed to come to Bet Din to appease his family and friends and still believed civil court would have been a viable option. IS ALAN ENTITLED TO REIMBURSEMENT FROM STEVEN? HOW SHOULD THE BET DIN RULE ANDWHY? YOU BE THE JUDGE and send your response to YouJudge@CommunityM.com Verdicts – and the accompanying rationale – will be reviewed by the Rosh Bet Din. The first three correct submissions received before the deadline will win a $50 gift certificate to a Community Magazine advertiser! Correct entries will receive honorable mention in the next issue when the Rosh Bet Din’s verdict is printed. AV - ELUL 5777 AUGUST 2017 55 GOT A TICKET? LET US FIGHT IT! FIGHT THAT TICKET! AVOID SUSPENSION, POINTS, REVOCATION, AND INSURANCE HIKES. TRAFFIC TICKET EXPERTS 646.457.1511 • SERVING THE ENTIRE NYS AREA • • SPEEDING? • CELLPHONE? • WRECKLESS DRIVING? • RED LIGHT? • STOP SIGN? • EVERY TICKET IS WORTH FIGHTING • SAVE TIME MONEY • DON’T LOSE A DAY OF WORK • WE GO TO COURT FOR YOU TM