Stevens v. Breen

While the order of the Appellate Division, reversing the judgment and granting a new trial, was on the law and the facts, it is clear from the court’s opinion that it was made in the exercise of its discretion “ in the interest of justice.” In view of the fact that certain defenses were not raised, in the first trial, which defenses, within reasonable expectation might cause the trial court to arrive at a different result, there has been no arbitrary abuse of discretion by the Appellate Division. Under these circumstances, the reversal and the granting of a new trial by the Appellate Division…