Henry & John Associates v. Demilo Construction Corp.

OPINION OF THE COURT

Herbert A. Posner, J.

This petition to discharge a mechanic’s lien raises an interesting question of law: Must the lien be discharged because sloppy, ambiguous language is used in the notice of lien to describe the work performed?

*355Under section 3 of the Lien Law, a lien attaches for labor "for the improvement of real property” and this is defined in section 2 (4), as including, "the demolition, erection, alteration or repair of any structure”. The notice of lien in this case recited that: "The labor performed was the management and supervision of obtaining new building…