Hi All,
I have a non-payment case due to numerous violations in my apartment and building. Today was the first appearance. I came to court, registered. Later came landlord's lawyer, took me out of the court room and tried to enter into stipulation agreement - give landlord 2 days to correct violations. I said I can only give 1 day. So the lawyer scribled something into the agreement, we agreed to April 28 trial. I took the paper back to the court. There was a judges assistant, so I gave her the stipulation agreement and she asked me - "Did you agree for 2 days??" I said - "No, only 1 day". Then she showed me that lawyer wrote in very small numbers that I agreed to 2 days... Moreover, she discovered that I wasn't served any papers prior to this date, only postcard came in the mail. So she went back to the lawyer and said "
Dear so and so, you know as well as I do that this is a TRAVERSE case and tenant only agrred to give landlord a 1 day". Lawyer looked at me angrily and fixed on the agreement "1 day" however, he refused to agree to TRAVERSE.
So I went in front of the judge and here is what she wrote:
"The court notes that respondent claims that she was not properly served - this allegation is set forth in her answer. Therefore case is adjourned for traverse and trial".
I am not sure what exactly this means - any idea? Does that mean that on April 28 laywer will have to prove that is was served properly? And if he fails to prove it the case will be dismissed?