Overview
City Courts outside New York City: decide civil suits involving claims up to $15,000; handle misdemeanors and lesser offenses; and arraign defendants accused of felonies. Some City Courts handle small claims (cases involving claims up to $5,000) and claims related to housing (landlord‑tenant matters).
Location
342 Central Avenue
Dunkirk, NY 14048
United States
Monday thru Friday - 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The court is closed on all state holidays.
Opioid Court: Mondays - 11:00 a.m.
Treatment Court: Thursdays - 10:30 a.m
Notice: Elevator Temporarily Out of Service
Please be advised that the elevator at 342 Central Avenue is currently out of service due to a modernization project by the City of Dunkirk. The building remains open, and second-floor offices can be accessed using the stairs. If you need assistance or require accommodations, please contact Dunkirk City Court at (716) 366-2055. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.
Notice to Bar
Commencement Documents submitted electronically through EDDS is now available
The Administrative Office of the 8thJudicial District and the NYSCEF Resource Center are pleased to announce, effective April 1, 2023, the expansion of the Electronic Document Delivery System (EDDS), to include the option to submit commencement documents in all City Courts located throughout the 8th Judicial District.
Judges
City Court Judge
Hon. John M. Kuzdale
City Court Judge
Hon. Rachel E. Roberts
Court Staff
Chief Clerk
Heather Gunther
Phone: 716-366-2055
Fax: 716-366-3622
Deputy Chief Clerk
Rebecca Riddle
Phone: 716-366-2055
Fax: 716-366-3622
Chautauqua County Opioid Court
Resource Coordinator
Phone: 716-342-6903
Treatment Court Coordinator
Phone: 716-366-9834
Small Claims Filing Instructions
1. Complete the claim form
You can print the form below and fill it out or complete the form as a fillable PDF and save it.
City Court Small Claims Universal Claim Form
If you will be filing by mail, the claim should be accompanied by an Acknowledgment completed by a Notary Public.
2. Deliver the form to the Court
Once the Claim form is completed it can be delivered with the filing fee to the Court in person or by mail.
3. Paying the filing fee
Small Claim: $15.00 for claims of $1,000.00 or less; $20.00 for claims of $1,001.00 - $5,000.00 (maximum); Commercial Claim: $33.85 ($25.00 plus postage of $8.85 for EACH Respondent).
Payment can be made by certified check, money order or in person with a credit card or cash.
Further Information available in the NYS Small Claims Handbook