Key Takeaway
Second Department rules unsigned EBT transcript inadmissible under CPLR 3116(a), but decision conflicts with prior party deposition precedent in New York.
This article is part of our ongoing deposition transcripts coverage, with 188 published articles analyzing deposition transcripts issues across New York State. Attorney Jason Tenenbaum brings 24+ years of hands-on experience to this analysis, drawing from his work on more than 1,000 appeals, over 100,000 no-fault cases, and recovery of over $100 million for clients throughout Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx. For personalized legal advice about how these principles apply to your specific situation, contact our Long Island office at (516) 750-0595 for a free consultation.
The Appellate Division’s Ruling on EBT Transcript Admissibility
Marmer v IF USA Express, Inc., 2010 NY Slip Op 04151 (2d Dept. 2010)
Key Takeaway
The Second Department excluded an unsigned deposition transcript from a summary judgment motion because the defendants failed to show it was mailed to the plaintiff for review under CPLR 3116(a) — but the ruling conflicts with prior precedent allowing party depositions as admissions regardless of CPLR 3116 compliance.
The court held:
“Further, the unsigned deposition transcript of the plaintiff, which the defendants submitted in support of their motion, did not constitute admissible evidence in light of the defendants’ failure to demonstrate that the transcript was forwarded to the plaintiff for her review pursuant to CPLR 3116(a) (see Martinez v 123-16 Liberty Ave. Realty Corp., 47 AD3d 901; McDonald v Mauss, 38 AD3d 727; Pina v Flik Intl. Corp., 25 AD3d 772; Santos v Intown Assoc., 17 AD3d 564).”
Why This Decision Is Problematic
This decision is wrong for a few reasons.
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First, the cases that the Appellate Division cites involve non-party depositions. The procedural safeguards of CPLR 3116(a) serve a different purpose for non-party witnesses than for parties to the litigation.
Second, the law as it relates to party depositions, as the Second Department previously held in R.M. Newell Co., Inc. v. Rice, 236 AD2d 843 (2d Dept. 1997), states the following:
“The court properly considered Richard Newell’s deposition in support of defendants’ motions for summary judgment. The transcripts were certified as accurate by the court reporter, who sent them to the witness for his review and signature. Thus, pursuant to CPLR 3116(a), the deposition is usable as though signed.”
The Critical Distinction: Admissions vs. Depositions
The Newell court went further, making a critical point about party admissions:
“In any event, any statutory proscription against the use of a transcript as a ‘deposition’ would not preclude its use as an admission of plaintiff’s controlling principal. CPLR 3212(b) states that ‘written admissions’ may be submitted on a summary judgment motion.”
“Further, rules of evidence provide for admissibility of admissions of an opposing party regardless of whether they are in the form of a deposition. Thus, irrespective of whether it qualified as a ‘deposition’ under CPLR 3116, the transcript constituted proof in admissible form” (see Zuckerman v. City of New York, 49 N.Y.2d 557, 562, 427 N.Y.S.2d 595, 404 N.E.2d 718).
Unanswered Questions for New York Practitioners
Can an admission not be used against a plaintiff on a summary judgment motion due to the failure to comply with CPLR 3116? Has this rule now changed? Does this make sense?
These questions have significant implications for personal injury cases throughout Long Island and New York City. If the Marmer ruling stands without reconciliation with Newell, practitioners handling no-fault insurance defense and other civil litigation must carefully ensure CPLR 3116(a) compliance even for party depositions — despite the strong argument that a party’s own sworn testimony constitutes an admission usable under CPLR 3212(b) regardless of transcript formalities.
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Legal Update (February 2026): Since this 2010 post was published, the Civil Practice Law and Rules provisions governing deposition transcripts and their admissibility may have been amended through legislative action or further clarified by subsequent appellate decisions. Practitioners should verify current CPLR 3116 and 3117 requirements regarding transcript certification, mailing procedures, and admissibility standards before relying on the procedural analysis discussed in this post.
Legal Context
Why This Matters for Your Case
New York law is among the most complex and nuanced in the country, with distinct procedural rules, substantive doctrines, and court systems that differ significantly from other jurisdictions. The Civil Practice Law and Rules (CPLR) governs every stage of civil litigation, from service of process through trial and appeal. The Appellate Division, Appellate Term, and Court of Appeals create a rich and ever-evolving body of case law that practitioners must follow.
Attorney Jason Tenenbaum has practiced across these areas for over 24 years, writing more than 1,000 appellate briefs and publishing over 2,353 legal articles that attorneys and clients rely on for guidance. The analysis in this article reflects real courtroom experience — from motion practice in Civil Court and Supreme Court to oral arguments before the Appellate Division — and a deep understanding of how New York courts actually apply the law in practice.
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Common Questions About This Topic
4 answers from the firm's New York personal-injury and employment-law practice. Click any question to expand.
What did the court rule about the unsigned EBT transcript in Marmer v IF USA Express?
The Second Department ruled that the unsigned deposition transcript was inadmissible because the defendants failed to demonstrate that it was forwarded to the plaintiff for review pursuant to CPLR 3116(a).
Can an unsigned deposition transcript be used on a summary judgment motion in New York?
It depends on whether it is a party or non-party deposition. For non-party depositions, CPLR 3116(a) mailing requirements are strictly enforced. For party depositions, prior Second Department precedent in R.M. Newell suggests the transcript may still be usable as a written admission under CPLR 3212(b).
What is CPLR 3116(a) and how does it affect deposition transcripts?
CPLR 3116(a) governs the signing and certification of deposition transcripts in New York. It requires that transcripts be forwarded to the deponent for review and signature, and failure to comply can render the transcript inadmissible as evidence.
How does this ruling affect personal injury litigation on Long Island and in New York City?
This decision creates uncertainty about whether party deposition transcripts can be excluded on purely procedural grounds, potentially affecting summary judgment practice in personal injury cases across Nassau County, Suffolk County, and New York City courts.
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Disclaimer: This article is published by the Law Office of Jason Tenenbaum, P.C. for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is formed by reading this content. The legal principles discussed may not apply to your specific situation, and the law may have changed since this article was last updated.
New York law varies by jurisdiction — court decisions in one Appellate Division department may not be followed in another, and local court rules in Nassau County Supreme Court differ from those in Suffolk County Supreme Court, Kings County Civil Court, or Queens County Supreme Court. The Appellate Division, Second Department (which covers Long Island, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island) and the Appellate Term (which hears appeals from lower courts) each have distinct procedural requirements and precedents that affect litigation strategy.
If you need legal help with a deposition transcripts matter, contact our office at (516) 750-0595 for a free consultation. We serve clients throughout Long Island (Huntington, Babylon, Islip, Brookhaven, Smithtown, Riverhead, Southampton, East Hampton), Nassau County (Hempstead, Garden City, Mineola, Great Neck, Manhasset, Freeport, Long Beach, Rockville Centre, Valley Stream, Westbury, Hicksville, Massapequa), Suffolk County (Hauppauge, Deer Park, Bay Shore, Central Islip, Patchogue, Brentwood), Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, and Westchester County. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.