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New York City Civil Court
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Self-Represented In General If you do not have an attorney and you need help with a Civil or Small Claims case, the Volunteer Lawyers Project in New York County can help you. Beginning in January 2008, you can get free legal advice from experienced and specially trained Volunteer Lawyers in the Civil Court’s Resource Center in New York County. Volunteer Lawyers will review your court papers, discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your case, help you fill out forms, and help you develop a strategy for your case. If you need a lawyer, Volunteer Lawyers will be happy to refer you to a Legal Aid or Legal Services office or to a New York Bar Association Referral Service. Volunteer Lawyers will not represent you in court or file legal papers for you. If you seek help from a Volunteer Lawyer, you are still responsible for all court dates and filing deadlines.  How Do I Meet With A Volunteer Lawyer? If you are not represented by an attorney and you need legal advice about a Civil or Small Claims case, you can discuss your case with a Volunteer Lawyer. Beginning in January 2008, you can meet with a Volunteer Lawyer in the Civil Court’s Resource Center in New York County. No appointments are necessary. Just go to the Civil Court’s Resource Center in New York County at your convenience, and inform the staff that you wish to meet with a Volunteer Lawyer. When there are no Volunteer Lawyers scheduled in the New York County Resource Center, you may discuss your case with a Resource Center Court Attorney. Resource Center Court Attorneys are available, on a limited basis, in the Civil Court’s Resource Centers in New York, Bronx, Kings, Queens and Richmond Counties. What is the Difference Between a Volunteer Lawyer and a Resource Center Court Attorney? Resource Center Court Attorneys, also known as Pro Se Attorneys, work for the Court. Both Volunteer Lawyers and Resource Center Court Attorneys provide free legal services in the Civil Court’s Resource Centers. Resource Center Court Attorneys will explain court procedures, legal terms and definitions, and your options. If you need a lawyer, Resource Center Court Attorneys will provide referrals to appropriate government agencies, social service organizations, and legal services providers. The primary difference between Volunteer Lawyers and Resource Center Court Attorneys is that Court Attorneys are Court employees, so they must remain neutral. For this reason, Civil Court Attorneys will not give you legal advice, analyze your case, or tell you what legal action to take. In contrast, Volunteer Lawyers will give you legal advice and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your case. If there are no Volunteer Lawyers scheduled in the New York County Resource Center and you have questions about a Civil or Small Claims case, you can still meet with a Resource Center Court Attorney at the Civil Court’s Resource Centers. Please note that Volunteer Lawyers and Resource Center Court Attorneys will not represent you in Court or file legal papers for you. What Should I Bring To The Resource Center? If you go to the Resource Center prepared to discuss your case, it will be easier for Volunteer Lawyers or Court Attorneys to help you. When you seek help at the Resource Centers, you should bring all documents that are related to your case, including court papers (i.e., notices, order, judgment, etc. ...) and letters or information from social services or governmental agencies. Some Examples: • Summons
How Do I Get to the Civil Court’s Resource Center in New York County? Beginning in January 2008, Volunteer Lawyers will be available to assist you in the Civil Court’s Resource Center in New York County. Civil Court of the City of New York Go to Directions to learn how to get to the Civil Court’s Resource Center in New York County.
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