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Archive | Offer & Compensation

June 20, 2018

CAREFUL JUDGE – THAT CONDEMNATION IS CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED

We have written on this subject before, but somehow some judges do not get it.  A condemnation proceeding is not like private litigation.  A condemnation claim is the enforcement of a constitutional mandate that just compensation be paid. Even if the claimant fails in the burden of proof, it is not that he will be non-suited and receive no compensation.  Rather, in this worst-case scenario, the claimant will simply receive the amount proven by the condemnor.  In New York, the burden of proof is on the court to assure that… read more

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Posted in Burden of Proof, Offer & Compensation, Trial Preparation
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August 28, 2015

New York Law Journal: The Condemnation Expert’s File: Minefield for Cross-Examination

Michael Rikon recently authored a column published in the New York Law Journal titled The Condemnation Expert’s File: Minefield for Cross-Examination. In condemnation cases, each side hires an expert to prepare an opinion on the value of the property. As Mr. Rikon explains in the article, once that expert testifies at trial, his or her work file becomes discoverable by the opposing side, and is often rife with material for cross-examination. This material can range from inaccurate data or the use of a faulty valuation method, to evidence of coaching,… read more

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Posted in Appraisers, Lawyers, Offer & Compensation, Recent cases, Sandbagging, Trial Preparation, USPAP
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June 25, 2015

Matter of City of New York (Staten Island Land Corp.)

The Supreme Court, Richmond County (Hon. Wayne P. Saitta) recently issued a decision valuing wetlands located in Stated Island that were acquired as part of the New Creek Bluebelt Phase 3 project. The case is Matter of City of New York (New Creek Phase 3), Sup. Ct., Richmond Cty, Hon. Wayne P. Saitta, Index No., 4013/06. The property at issue was acquired by the City on November 3, 2006. The total area taken was 45,208 square feet, which included a non-contiguous lot (lot 14) of approximately 5,203 feet.The property was… read more

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Posted in Eminent Domain, New York, Offer & Compensation, Valuation, Wetlands
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June 15, 2015

Court Awards $10,100,000 on Eminent Domain Claim of Property in Staten Island

The Honorable Wayne P. Saitta, Justice of the New York Supreme Court, Kings County, recently issued a decision dated June 10, 2015, awarding Yeshivas Ch’San Sofer, Inc., a Claimant in an eminent domain proceeding, $10,100,000.00 as just compensation for its property.  The decision was issued after a three day, non- jury trial was held on October 20-23, 2014 in Kings County Supreme Court. Prior to trial the City had paid an advance payment of only $611,000.00, later increasing its valuation with a supplemental payment totaling $919,000.00 The property at issue… read more

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Posted in Advance Payments, Appraisers, Highest and Best Use, New York, Offer & Compensation, Recent cases, Wetlands
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May 13, 2015

The Second Higher Appraisal: Stop the Games and Produce it

A recent, unanimous decision of the Virginia Supreme Court held that a prior appraisal used for the payment of an advance payment should have been admitted in evidence as an admission. Ramsey v Commissioner of Highways, __ Va. ___ (Record number 140929). The  full decision of the Court can be read here. The facts were fairly simple. The Ramseys owned a parcel of land in the City of Virginia Beach. The Highway Department took a portion of the land for Route 264. Prior to the taking, the Condemnor valued the… read more

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Posted in Advance Payments, Eminent Domain, Eminent Domain Abuse, Offer & Compensation, Recent cases, Sandbagging
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