After two months of limited operations due to the novel coronavirus disease (“Covid-19”), New York state courts have now substantially expanded their operations including increased access to in-person courthouse services and electronic filing of new matters.
As of May 25, state courts in all five New York City counties, including the Surrogate’s Court, began accepting the electronic filing of new “non-essential” matters. In-person court operations have resumed in every region outside of New York City, with specified social distancing protocols, and New York City courthouses are expected to follow suit starting June 8 when the city enters Phase 1 of its reopening. Federal courts throughout the state and city continue, as they have from the beginning of the pandemic, accepting new filings for non-essential matters electronically.
We will continue to update you of the new rules and protocols for both state and federal courts in New York and elsewhere, which are likely to change and evolve as the various states continue their phased reopening.
As businesses across the city and state of New York begin the complicated process of reopening and have more expansive access to courts, we anticipate that there will be a higher than usual number of claims and lawsuits, particularly considering the unprecedented disruption to commerce, revenue, supply chains, access to credit and financing and virtually every other aspect of normal business operations caused by the pandemic. Our Litigation and Labor and Employment Law Departments have provided counsel information regarding the types of legal claims and issues businesses and employers are likely to face once the state and country begin to reopen. As we enter this new phase, we remain committed and available should you need to pursue or defend your rights through litigation.
***
We hope that you continue to stay safe and healthy throughout this crisis.
For additional information about any litigation issue, please feel free to contact Dana Susman (at 212-519-5136, dsusman@kanekessler.com); Reid Kahn (at 212-519-5129, rkahn@kanekessler.com); Arthur Rosenberg (at 212- 519- 5147, arosenberg@kanekessler.com); Jeff Daichman (at 212-519-5142, jdaichman@kanekessler.com); or any other attorney in our Litigation Department. Our attorneys are available at all times through email, phone, and videoconferencing to address any of your legal needs and answer any of your questions.
This memo is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal advice and readers should consult counsel to discuss how these matters relate to their individual circumstances.