BANCO NACIONAL DE MEXICO v. ECOBAN FINANCE

In this action against a guarantor of a Mexican promissory note, the motion court properly found that the original note did not have to be filed with the court since there was no dispute as to the note's authenticity or plaintiff's ownership thereof (cf., Ventricelli v. DeGennaro, 221 A.D.2d 231, lv denied 87 N.Y.2d 808). The use of copies is permitted in appropriate circumstances (CPLR 4539), and defendant filed a copy of the note certified by the Mexican court in which the original note had been filed in connection with another action to which defendant is not a party.

Nor were there issues of fact warranting denial of plaintiff's motion for summary judgment. Presentment of the note had been validly waived (see, UCC 3-511; Mfrs. Traders Trust Co. v. Griffin, 226 A.D.2d 1088, 1089). Nor was presentment essential to defendant's exercise of its right of subrogation since defendant guarantor is automatically subrogated to the rights of the creditor to the extent that defendant pays the note.

Finally, no basis existed to dismiss or stay the action on grounds of comity by reason of the pending Mexican proceedings (see, Ehrlich-Bober Co., Inc. v. Univ. of Houston, 49 N.Y.2d 574, 581).

THIS CONSTITUTES THE DECISION AND ORDER OF SUPREME COURT, APPELLATE DIVISION, FIRST DEPARTMENT.