Leimgruber v. Claridge Associates, Ltd.

The opinion of the court was delivered by

Hughes, C. J.

We certified, 71 N. J. 499 (1976), a judgment of the Appellate Division, whose unpublished opinion had reflected its difference of view with the trial court’s decision on a question involving punitive damages.

The relatively simple issue here stems from the mutilation by the defendant-respondent Claridge Associates, Ltd. (Claridge) of some 11 trees on the property of its adjoining land owners, Mr. and Mrs. Willy Leimgruber (plaintiffs). Claridge’s property was a large, elevated tract on which it was constructing, as observed by tire trial…