The chief administrator of the New York state courts has said it would be a serious mistake to open up the state courts to the torrent of new "nonessential" lawsuits he expects, reports the New York Law Journal, in a article you can access here.
So, although the New York state courts have taken steps to operate virtually, and we are seeing some courts elsewhere in the US hold virtual hearings and keep their dockets moving (albeit more slowly), New York's state courts are still not ready to "open the floodgates" to use their words.
Those who may have claims to bring in New York courts should be mindful that statutes of limitations in New York, which had been suspended until April 19 (see our blog), are now suspended until May 7.
