News
March 22, 2020 Order Halts All Non-Essential NY Filings
March 23, 2020
Share to:
<p style="text-align: justify;">Since the COVID-19 outbreak, Court directives have been changing by the day, and sometimes, by the hour. As of Friday, March 20, 2020, all Statutes of Limitations in New York were stayed, and parties were directed to stipulate out any deadlines impacted by COVID-19 -- including summary judgment deadlines. We posted about this <a href="https://www.wcmlaw.com/2020/03/how-covid-19-is-impacting-your-claims/">on Friday</a>. The message was clear -- with the current crises we're all dealing with, which is affecting our personal and professional lives, now is not the time to exploit missed deadlines, especially since different attorneys have different remote-working capabilities. Fortunately, WCM's remote capabilities have allowed for a fairly seamless transition. (Except that there are yelling children in the backgrounds of conference calls with greater frequency these days...).</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The newest update, just issued on Sunday, March 22, 2020, essentially places ALL filings on hold for the time being. Specifically, the Court is directing that no filings -- including E-filings -- will be accepted by County Clerks until further notice. The full order is attached <a href="https://www.wcmlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/NY-Order-3.22.20.pdf">here</a>. Non-essential matters, which includes the bulk of civil litigation, is on hold, absent emergency circumstances.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">In speaking with friends, colleagues and adversaries in New York, and also, throughout the U.S. and also in London, the same word keeps coming up -- "surreal." The COVID-19 pandemic has completely changed our lives in the short-term. In the interim, we're still working remotely, abiding by Shelter in Place recommendations, and doing our best to maintain a sense of normalcy. In the words of NY Police Commissioner Dermot Shea, <span>“It’s not going to be fun, it’s not going to be easy, but it’s also not going to be forever.” Stay safe, stay home, and we'll continue to circulate Court updates as we receive them. </span></p>