New York Court Rules Guide
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Overview
New York state courts operate under the Civil Practice Law and Rules (CPLR), along with the Uniform Rules for Trial Courts and local court rules. The New York court system is one of the most complex in the nation, with specialized divisions and unique procedural requirements.
Important: New York has significant differences from federal practice, including unique service requirements and calculation methods.
Civil Practice Law and Rules (CPLR)
Key CPLR Articles
- • Article 2: Limitations of time
- • Article 3: Jurisdiction and service
- • Article 4: Special proceedings
- • Article 5: Venue
- • Article 6: Joinder of claims
Response Deadlines
- • 20 days: Answer to complaint (personal service)
- • 30 days: Answer (service by mail)
- • 10 days: Summary proceeding answer
- • Variable: Motion practice deadlines
Court Structure
Supreme Court
- • General jurisdiction
- • No monetary limit
- • Complex litigation
- • Commercial Division
Civil Court
- • Limited jurisdiction
- • Up to $25,000
- • Housing Court
- • Small Claims
Specialized Courts
- • Family Court
- • Surrogate's Court
- • Court of Claims
- • Criminal Courts
Service of Process
CPLR 308: Personal Service on Natural Person
Methods of Service
- • Personal delivery to defendant
- • Suitable age and discretion at residence
- • Suitable person at business
- • Conspicuous place service + mail
- • Court-ordered alternative method
Timing Requirements
- • Service within 120 days of filing
- • Proof of service within 120 days
- • Extensions available for good cause
- • Different rules for non-residents
Service by Mail Extensions
| Service Method | Additional Time | Total Response Time |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Service | None | 20 days |
| Service by Mail | 10 days | 30 days |
| Conspicuous Place + Mail | 10 days | 30 days |
Time Calculation Rules
CPLR 2103: Computation of Time
- 1Exclude the first day: Do not count the day the act, event, or default occurs.
- 2Include the last day: Unless it falls on Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.
- 3Extension for weekends/holidays: If last day is weekend or holiday, extend to next business day.
New York State Holidays
- • New Year's Day
- • Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- • Lincoln's Birthday
- • Washington's Birthday
- • Memorial Day
- • Independence Day
- • Labor Day
- • Columbus Day
- • Election Day (general election)
- • Veterans Day
- • Thanksgiving
- • Christmas Day
Court-Specific Considerations
- • Check individual court calendars
- • Summer scheduling in Supreme Court
- • Part-specific rules may apply
- • Electronic filing deadlines
- • Local administrative orders
Commercial Division Rules
Special Requirements
Case Types
- • Corporate governance disputes
- • Contract disputes ($500K+)
- • Business torts
- • Professional malpractice
- • UCC disputes
- • Securities litigation
Unique Procedures
- • Preliminary conference mandatory
- • Discovery limits
- • Expert disclosure requirements
- • Expedited proceedings
- • Alternative dispute resolution
Local Court Rules
New York County
- • Electronic filing mandatory
- • Specific motion practices
- • Calendar preferences
- • Settlement conferences
Kings County
- • Note of issue requirements
- • Trial readiness standards
- • Compliance conference rules
- • Medical malpractice procedures
Westchester County
- • Case management orders
- • Discovery cut-off rules
- • Motion submission procedures
- • ADR programs
Common New York Deadlines
| Procedure | Deadline | CPLR Section | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Answer to Complaint | 20/30 days | CPLR 320 | 20 personal, 30 by mail |
| Motion to Dismiss | 60 days | CPLR 3211 | From service of complaint |
| Notice of Claim | 90 days | Gen. Mun. Law § 50-e | Claims against municipalities |
| Note of Issue | Variable | CPLR 3402 | Per court scheduling order |
| Appeal Notice | 30 days | CPLR 5513 | From service of judgment |