Walk-In Services at the Help Center

In General
Pro Se Attorneys
Volunteer Attorneys
Internet Access
Locations
Hours
Testimonials

In General

The Civil Court Help Centers provide free walk-in services to litigants who are not represented by an attorney and have cases pending in the Civil Court of the City of New York. Visit Representing Yourself to find assistance and information on-line. If you still need help in person, read below to learn what services are available in the Help Center.

No appointment is necessary to use the Help Center. But, staff are busy so be prepared to wait your turn. Free interpreters can be called to assist you. You should bring any court papers and relevant notices and any previous stipulations or court orders.

The Help Center does not have a play area for children. But, you may leave your children in the free childcare center if there is one available in your courthouse, so that you can focus on your legal issues without distractions.

Come to the Resource Center and meet with a “Help Center Attorney” for free. Help Center Attorneys are attorneys employed by the Civil Court who provide legal and procedural information to self-represented litigants. These experienced lawyers, many of whom have years of legal experience, meet daily with unrepresented litigants in the Help Centers. They are neutral parties who can’t give legal advice or tell you the best way to handle your case. Help Center Attorneys can provide information:

-on how to commence cases
-on how to answer cases
-on how to collect judgments
-on how to obtain or make repairs
-on filling out forms
-on court procedure
-on landlord-tenant, civil or small claims cases
-on referrals to appropriate agencies.

Volunteer lawyers serve in the Help Centers and provide free legal information and advice to owners and tenants who do not have attorneys. As of January 2008, volunteer lawyers are available to assist litigants with civil and small claims cases in New York County. The volunteer lawyers do not represent you in court or file papers on your behalf. If you wish to receive legal information and advice from a volunteer lawyer, go to How Do I Meet With A Volunteer Lawyer.

If there are no volunteer lawyers scheduled on a given date, and you have questions about a pending case, you should still consider going to the Help Center to discuss your concerns with one of our experienced and knowledgeable Help Center Court Attorneys.

The Help Center provides free limited access to the internet for litigants to research community resources, and civil, small claims and landlord-tenant law topics, while at the courthouse. You can also use the computer to fill-out court forms and interactive court programs, and watch videos, which are also available on-line. You can use the computer for up to 30 minutes to visit a number of websites. You can’t read or send email.

Bronx County Housing Court (directions)
1118 Grand Concourse, Room 250
Bronx, NY 10456

Bronx Civil Court Help Center
(For Civil Court Cases and NYCHA Housing Cases)
851 Grand Concourse, Room 121
Bronx, NY 10456

Harlem Community Justice Center (directions)
170 E. 121st Street, Room 104
New York, NY 10035

Kings County Housing Court (directions)
141 Livingston Street, Room 404
Brooklyn, NY 11201

New York County Housing Court (directions)
111 Centre Street, Room 104
New York, NY 10013

Queens County Housing Court (directions)
89-17 Sutphin Boulevard, Room 235
Jamaica, NY 11435

Richmond County Housing Court (directions)
927 Castleton Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10310

Help Centers in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens are open Mondays through Fridays from 9:30 A.M. until 5:00 P.M. to assist litigants in landlord-tenant cases. These Centers provide extended hours to serve those who cannot come during regular business hours as follows:

Manhattan: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, 9:30 until 5:00 P.M., Thursdays, 9:30 A.M. until 7:00 P.M.

Brooklyn: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, 9:30 A.M. until 5:00 P.M., Thursday, 9:30 A.M. until 7:00 P.M.

Bronx Civil: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 9:30 A.M. until 5:00 P.M., Thursday, 9:30 A.M. until 7:00 P.M.

Bronx Housing: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, 9:30 A.M. until 5:00 P.M., Thursday, 9:30 A.M. until 7:00 P.M.

Queens: Mondays, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, 9:30 A.M. until 5:00 P.M., Thursday, 9:30 A.M. until 7:00 P.M.

Staten Island: Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 A.M. until 5:00 P.M.

Harlem Community Justice Center: Mondays and Thursdays, 9:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M., but staff is available on other days to provide information to the public.

Assistance with Civil and Small Claims cases is available on a limited basis in all Civil Courthouses except Harlem. Hours vary.