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The Court Help Center was created in response to the increasing number of litigants who were coming to court without legal counsel because they could not afford representation. The office provides free comprehensive procedural advice on Supreme Court matters, such as Special Proceedings (i.e., Article 78), Matrimonial/Family proceedings, Foreclosure and other Real Property/Housing and many other proceedings to unrepresented litigants.
The center provides free court forms, printed instructions and sample forms, and we provide assistance in understanding the documents. The center also distributes guides, pamphlets and brochures that assist the unrepresented in understanding and navigating the court and legal system. The Court Help Center staff does not provide legal advice.
The Court Help Center offers referrals information including lists of Bar Associations, pro bono programs and legal services, law school and legal clinics public access law libraries’ Alternative Dispute Resolution Centers and other low cost legal service providers.
The Court Help Center has public access computer terminals, with access to limited relevant web sites including CourtHelp and LawHelp. We also have public access computers where users can complete Do It Yourself (DIY) on-line forms and instructions, and printers to print off the finalized forms.
Volunteer Law Clinic for Uncontested Divorces
The Volunteer Law Clinic in Queens County Supreme Court was created by the Hon. Fern Fisher, Deputy Chief Administrative Judge of the New York City Courts. Judge Fisher, as Director of the NYS Court's Access to Justice Program, and in response to the growing need for pro bono legal services to indigent New Yorkers, set up the Volunteer Law Clinic in Queens County Supreme Court in October 2009.
Located on the second floor in Room 25A, the Volunteer Law Clinic provides indigent New Yorkers with free legal assistance in setting up the documents necessary for uncontested divorces. The office is run by Phaedra Perry, Esq., a senior attorney with Judge Fisher's Access to Justice Program and staffed with several volunteer attorneys who assist in providing this great service to the community. The VLC is supervised by Laurie Milder, Esq., who works closely with Judge Fisher in setting up and implementing the matrimonial clinics throughout the New York City court system.
Litigants seeking assistance from the VLC must dial 718 298-1024 to schedule an appointment. The VLC has hours each Tuesday from 12 noon to 4 p.m.
Any questions regarding the clinic and/or the Access to Justice program should be directed to Robert West at Judge Fisher's office in New York State Supreme Court at 111 Centre Street. (646) 386-4016.
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