N.Y. Civil Practice Law & Rules § 3217: Voluntary discontinuance

Rule 3217. Voluntary discontinuance. (a) Without an order. Any party

asserting a claim may discontinue it without an order

1. by serving upon all parties to the action a notice of

discontinuance at any time before a responsive pleading is served or, if

no responsive pleading is required, within twenty days after service of

the pleading asserting the claim and filing the notice with proof of

service with the clerk of the court; or

2. by filing with the clerk of the court before the case has been

submitted to the court or jury a stipulation in writing signed by the

attorneys of record for all parties, provided that no party is an

infant, incompetent person for whom a committee has been appointed or

conservatee and no person not a party has an interest in the subject

matter of the action; or

3. by filing with the clerk of the court before the case has been

submitted to the court or jury a certificate or notice of discontinuance

stating that any parcel of land which is the subject matter of the

action is to be excluded pursuant to title three of article eleven of

the real property tax law.

(b) By order of court. Except as provided in subdivision (a), an

action shall not be discontinued by a party asserting a claim except

upon order of the court and upon terms and conditions, as the court

deems proper. After the cause has been submitted to the court or jury

to determine the facts the court may not order an action discontinued

except upon the stipulation of all parties appearing in the action.

(c) Effect of discontinuance. Unless otherwise stated in the notice,

stipulation or order of discontinuance, the discontinuance is without

prejudice, except that a discontinuance by means of notice operates as

an adjudication on the merits if the party has once before discontinued

by any method an action based on or including the same cause of action

in a court of any state or the United States.

(d) All notices, stipulations, or certificates pursuant to this rule

shall be filed with the county clerk by the defendant.

(e) Effect of discontinuance upon certain instruments. In any action

on an instrument described under subdivision four of section two hundred

thirteen of this chapter, the voluntary discontinuance of such action,

whether on motion, order, stipulation or by notice, shall not, in form

or effect, waive, postpone, cancel, toll, extend, revive or reset the

limitations period to commence an action and to interpose a claim,

unless expressly prescribed by statute.