Patterson Belknap Launches Online Guide Addressing Recent Commercial Division Reforms

Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP announced today the launch of a user's guide compiling recent rule reforms in the Commercial Division of the New York Supreme Court.

Since its formation in 1995, the Commercial Division has seen a significant increase in the number and complexity of cases on its docket. In response to increasing demands, a number of significant new rules and amendments were enacted in 2014 or are being enacted in 2015 at the suggestion of the court system's Commercial Division Advisory Council. These reforms are far reaching, and include, among other things, new monetary thresholds, new discovery limitations, revised procedural deadlines, and new pilot programs. The overall goal of the changes is to expedite the litigation process and reduce the expense involved in commercial disputes.

Patterson Belknap's user's guide will serve as a resource for clients and members of the Bar who are faced with navigating these important changes. The guide highlights the most important reforms, provides summaries of the changes together with an explanation of the goal behind each reform and links to the text of the revised rules.

"These reforms present new challenges and opportunities for litigants in the Commercial Division and will hopefully speed the processing of commercial disputes. We believe that this online guide will aid litigants in understanding this changed landscape for commercial litigation in New York," said Stephen P. Younger, a partner at Patterson Belknap who is a member of the Commercial Division Advisory Council.

The guide is available online here.