On May 18, 2020, Chief Judge DiFiore released a message announcing the start of limited in-person court operations in the Finger Lakes, Mohawk Valley, Southern Tier, North Country and Central New York regions.  Jury operations remain suspended.  These regions have also started accepting the filing of new non-essential matters via the New York State Court Electronic Filing System (“NYSCEF”).  Courthouse traffic will be limited and courts will continue using the virtual technology implemented over the past two (2) months.

On May 20, 2020, Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence K. Marks issued a memorandum announcing that starting May 25, 2020, all electronic filings, including new non-essential cases,  would resume in the five (5) New York City Counties, as well as Nassau, Suffolk, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties via the NYSCEF.  In-person court operations remain suspended in these counties as to date, they have not yet met the benchmarks required to participate in Governor Cuomo’s regional reopening plan.

Courts across the state have also adopted new protocols and safety measures to be maintained going forward as limited in-person operations begin, including deep cleaning of court facilities before resumption of operations, upgraded regular cleaning, the availability of masks and gloves for court personnel, sanitizing agents for visitors, installation of plexiglass barriers in certain courthouse locations, and placement of blue tape indicators in public areas to ensure physical distancing.    For sure, the reopening of electronic filing for all matters is great progress in broadening access to civil litigation and we are hopeful that the downstate counties will reopen for limited in-person operations in the near future.

To read Judge DiFiore’s message please click here.

To read Judge Marks’ memorandum please click here.

If you have a question or need assistance with a legal matter, please contact us at info@chaloslaw.com