The Civil Term is composed of specialized departments that help the court run smoothly. Below is a list of those departments and their functions:
The Commercial Division helps solve complicated commercial disputes.
This office accepts all emergency applications where it is important for the party to see a judge immediately and it also processes ex-parte applications (an application where only one side is heard). Most emergency applications are brought by an order to show cause (a motion where the judge sets the return date, usually on an expedited basis). This office also handles emergency applications concerning foreclosure issues.
New legislation requires residential foreclosure conferences for nearly all foreclosures in New York State. Those conferences are scheduled here.
Handles elder law matters that come under the Mental Hygiene Law, which was created to help those who can no longer help themselves.
Handles all divorces, including all emergency applications involving divorce.
This department handles cases involving mentally ill persons — hospitalized or not — who need court orders to facilitate treatment and/or retention at or release from a mental health facility among other actions.
Processes notices of motions, notices of petitions, requests for preliminary conferences and proposed orders and judgments as a result of a memorandum issued through motion practice.