Saratoga County Bar Association

From the NYSBA: Essential Proceedings In case you missed it on Sunday, Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence K. Marks issued an administrative order that effectively halts all court activity in New York with the exception of essential proceedings. Click here for the details of what’s considered essential.... Free COVID-19 Webinars Beginning on Wednesday, March 25 and continuing April 1 and April 8, NYSBA will be presenting a weekly update and discussion on legal and practical issues arising from COVID-19. The one-hour webinars are free for members and will feature three experienced labor and employment lawyers from Bond, Schoeneck & King. Here are links to more information about the webinars and to register: Coronavirus: A Weekly Update and Discussion on Legal and Practical Issues (Part One) Wednesday, March 25 @ 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Coronavirus: A Weekly Update and Discussion on Legal and Practical Issues (Part Two) Wednesday, April 1 @ 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Coronavirus: A Weekly Update and Discussion on Legal and Practical Issues (Part Three) Wednesday, April 8 @ 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Find the Latest Coronavirus News at NYSBA.ORG We are adding new content to our website every day related to the coronavirus public health emergency and its impact on the legal community. Here are some stories we posted today: Pivoting in Place: What’s a Litigator to Do During the COVID-19 Crisis? COVID-19’s Impact on Commercial Transactions and Disputes Despite Crisis, Demand Soars for Many Lawyers’ Expertise Miranda Warnings Podcast: Max Kenner | Coronavirus Is Coming To Prisons

FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT CAPITAL DISTRICT REGION PLAN HIGHLIGHTS RETURN TO IN-PERSON OPERATIONS - PHASE I MAY 26, 2020 Because the Capital District Region has met established benchmarks set forth by the Governor, the first phase of return to more in-person operations has been triggered in Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren and Washington Counties. Thus, effective Tuesday, May 26, 2020, all courts located in these four counties will begin their Return to In-Person Operations P...Continue reading

Administrative Order: Limiting Court Filings TO ALL ATTORNEYS AND PARTIES IN LITIGATION BEFORE THE NEW YORK STATE COURTS ... On March 22, 2020, Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence Marks issued administrative order AO/78/20, which sharply curtailed the receipt of filed papers by UCS courts and county clerks in litigation matters. In light of the public health concerns of the coronavirus, and consistent with the Governor’s recent Executive Order suspending statutes of limitations in legal matters, until further notice the courts will only accept filings in matters deemed to be essential. A list of essential matters is attached to the order. This list is subject to amendment in the future. In addition to the case types specified on the list, judges may deem any individual matter to be essential as circumstances require. The order applies to both paper and electronic filings, and extends to all trial courts. Please note that the order addresses legal papers relating to litigation matters filed with UCS courts. It does not address filings with the County Clerk acting other than as a clerk of court including matters set forth in CPLR 8021. Please note that the order does not address discovery in pending matters, which remains governed by a prior administrative order and continues to rely on agreement of the parties to the fullest extent possible. In the event that discovery conduct requires further systemwide action, it will be addressed in the future. Section E of the list of essential proceedings includes any other matter that the court deems essential. Consistent with the goal of the administrative order to limit new filings, this catch-all provision is designed to address the very rare cases where individual facts necessitate an immediate hearing notwithstanding current public health concerns; it will be interpreted restrictively. Persons who believe that a specific pending or new matter should be included in this highly restrictive group should apply to the court for this designation by emergency application, including a detailed explanation of the applicant’s rationale. Note as well that the order addresses only the filing of documents, and does not address service of process. It is anticipated that, in light of the filing prohibition and the Governor’s extension of statutes of limitation, service of (unfiled) process should and will be suspended by parties in non-essential matters. However, if service of process continues, especially in a manner that confuses participants, it may be addressed in a follow-up administrative directive. Questions about this policy may be addressed to 833-503-0447, and will be answered through updates on this webpage. Thank you for your ongoing cooperation as we implement these new restrictions.