New York State Courts Release Reopening Details

As expected, Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence K. Marks has issued a new administrative order detailing the first stage of court operations for nonessential matters. A full copy of the order can be read HERE.

1. Judges will commit themselves to deciding fully submitted motions in pending cases. 
2. Judges will examine their dockets to find matters through which video conferencing can be helpful in resolving the matter. Parties may request a similar conference, where appropriate.
3. Judges may conduct discovery and other ad hoc conferences to resolve disputes which should not require the filing of motion papers.

The Order also contains an important clarification and limitation: litigants may NOT file any new nonessential matters, and parties may NOT file any additional (new) papers in any pending nonessential matters.

This means no new motions, no new answers, no motion opposition papers, etc. Previous orders tolling deadlines in those matters still control. Currently deadlines are tolled by executive order of Governor Cuomo through May 7, 2020. 

Expect expansion of the courts' capabilities and filings in the near future after successful implementation of this phase.

Reminder that federal courts are still open and capable for accepting new matters and Lieb at Law attorneys are still litigating where court intervention is not needed.