James R. Farrell at a glance
- Current role
- County Court Judge
- Jurisdiction
- New York · State
- Judicial service
- Active
- Term and retention
- Current term ends 2029
James R. Farrell
County Court Judge · Sullivan County County Court
Biography
Professional career
- County Court Judge in Sullivan County, New York, serving a term from 2020 to 2029, with a background in criminal law and prior service as Sullivan County District Attorney
- He took the oath of office in January 2020, succeeding retired Judge Frank LaBuda
- Sullivan County, District Attorney, 2010 to 2019
- Sullivan County, Assistant District Attorney, 1995 to 2009
- Reiber, Kenlan & Hall, P.C., Rutland, VT, Associate Attorney, 1993 to 1995
Education
- Albany Law School — J.D. (1993)
- B.A. — State University of New York at Binghamton — 1990
Additional information
- James R. Farrell presides in the County Court of Sullivan County and was most recently elected for a term beginning in 2020 and ending in 2029.
- Before joining the bench, Farrell held the role of Sullivan County District Attorney, where he gained extensive experience in criminal law.
- He stated that his law enforcement and prosecutorial background would help ensure fair and just outcomes for all parties
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Recording and broadcasting
Statewide
New York statewide rules require permission before photographing, filming, videotaping, audiotaping, broadcasting, or telecasting in court facilities, including courtrooms.
Taking photographs, films or videotapes, or audiotaping, broadcasting or telecasting, in a courthouse including any courtroom, office or hallway thereof, at any time or on any occasion, whether or not the court is in session, is forbidden, unless permission of the Chief Administrator of the Courts or a designee of the Chief Administrator is first obtainedPart 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings ↗
Exhibits
Statewide
The official Guide to New York Evidence identifies court control over presentation of evidence as a statewide evidence topic; counsel should expect the assigned judge to control the mode and order of proof.
1.07. COURT CONTROL OVER PRESENTATION OF EVIDENCEGuide to New York Evidence: Article 1, General Provisions and Court's Role ↗
Statewide
In New York Supreme Court and County Court civil cases, the court may require indexed trial exhibit binders, notebooks, or electronic equivalents for the court, counsel, and witnesses.
The court may direct that on the first day of trial or at such other time as the court may set, counsel shall submit an indexed binder or notebook, or the electronic equivalent, of trial exhibits for the court's use.Part 202: Uniform Civil Rules for the Supreme Court and the County Court ↗
Statewide
Civil trial counsel in New York Supreme Court and County Court must confer before trial and attempt to agree on exhibits to be offered without objection, unless the court directs otherwise.
Counsel for the parties shall consult prior to trial and shall in good faith attempt to agree upon the exhibits that will be offered into evidence without objection.Part 202: Uniform Civil Rules for the Supreme Court and the County Court ↗
Remote appearances
Statewide
For New York criminal proceedings, virtual and hybrid appearances are governed by Part 200 consent, objection, public-access, and calendar-update requirements.
For all hybrid proceedings, all electronic appearances shall be projected in the physical courtroom in which the in-person portion of the proceeding is taking place in such a manner as to provide a reasonable opportunity for members of the public to view and hear the participants appearing electronically.Part 200: Uniform Rules for Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction ↗
Published courtroom rules
Judge and named-part rules
Published judge / part rules (29 excerpts)
See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding.
Official rules document ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27
Communications with chambers
Correspondence to the Court shall, without exception, be copied to all counsel, including Attorneys for Children or Guardians Ad Litem where appropriate, and/or to any self-represented parties who have appeared in the action. Correspondence between counsel and/or self-represented parties shall not be copied to the Court, unless the Court directs otherwise.
Source page 1Communications with chambers
All correspondence must bear the case name and Index Number of the action and indicate that a copy of the correspondence was sent to all other counsel and/or self-represented litigant(s).
Source page 1Communications with chambers
Correspondence should either be uploaded to NYSCEF or sent via email.
Source page 1Conferences and appearances
A. General Rules: The Court’s regular calendar is called on Thursdays at 10am. Only counsel (or self-represented parties) who are fully familiar with the case are to appear for court conferences. Requests for a conference must be in writing via NYSCEF or email.
Source page 1Conferences and appearances
Counsel shall provide the reason for the conference and, if on consent, proposed dates convenient to all counsel.
Source page 1Conferences and appearances
B. Preliminary Conferences: Preliminary conferences in civil cases (other than matrimonial actions) are scheduled pursuant to the Uniform Rule of Trial Courts 22 NYCRR §202.12 (a) and (b). In lieu of appearing, the parties may complete and submit a Preliminary Conference Stipulation and Order at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the conference to be “So Ordered.” If the completed form is timely received, the conference will be cancelled. If the signed stipulation is not timely received, appearances are required.
Source page 1Communications with chambers
C. Pre-Trial Conference: Pre-trial conferences will be scheduled after the filing of a Note of Issue. If a Note of Issue is not timely served and filed pursuant to a scheduling Order and no party has requested an extension of that Order, the Court will mark the case ready for trial, direct that a Note of Issue be filed and schedule a pre-trial conference. Counsel should contact their client(s), witnesses and experts prior to the conference to determine their availability for trial. Pursuant to 22 NYCRR §202.26(e), counsel attending the conference must be fully familiar with the case and have authority to enter into binding stipulations, and the parties, their representatives and/or representative(s) of insurance carrier(s) may also be required to attend, in person or by telephone. All counsel shall confer prior to the date of the conference to discuss settlement and the resolution of any trial issues.
Source page 2Conferences and appearances
D. Settlement Conference: A settlement conference will be held no less than one month prior to the scheduled trial date. Settlement conferences shall be scheduled at a time convenient to the attorneys, parties and the Court. Counsel attending the Settlement Conference must be fully familiar with the action and authorized to enter settlement discussions.
Source page 2Adjournments
E. Adjournment of Conferences: Request for conference adjournment must be made in writing, via NYSCEF or email, copied to all counsel and/or pro se parties) no later than 3:00 p.m. the day prior to the scheduled conference. All requests must set forth: 1) the reason why an adjournment is necessary; 2) whether the opposing party(ies) consent(s) or object(s) to the application; and 3) at least three proposed adjourned dates. Dates should be on consent or on notice to all counsel and/or parties. An adjournment, whether or not on consent, is not granted unless and until the Court expressly grants the request in writing.
Source page 2Motion practice
General Rules: Motions are returnable on Thursdays. There are no appearances on the return date unless directed by the Court. All affirmations, affidavits, memoranda of law and any other submissions, including exhibits, must contain numbered pages. Page length should comply with 22 NYCRR 202.8b. Sur-replies and replies to cross-motions are not permitted without express leave of the Court. If such papers are submitted without leave, they will not be considered.
Source page 2Motion practice
Discovery Motions: No discovery motion may be filed without leave of the Court. Prior to requesting such leave, counsel must personally confer to resolve the discovery issue in accordance with 22 NYCRR §202.7. The parties shall also contact the Court’s Principal Law Clerk to schedule a conference in an attempt to resolve the dispute. Each party shall provide Ms.
Source page 2Motion practice
Summary Judgment Motions: Summary judgment motions shall be filed within 60-days of the filing of the Note of Issue. Upon application, this period may be extended. Please note that in accordance with the discretionary authority provided by CPLR 3214(b), discovery is NOT stayed during the pendency of any summary judgment motion, unless the Court orders otherwise.
Source page 3Communications with chambers
Orders to Show Cause: Please contact chambers directly to schedule emergency matters requiring signing of an Order to Show Cause and provide an email address for counsel. All applications for temporary injunctive relief, including TRO requests, must comply with 22 NYCRR §202.7(f).
Source page 3Adjournments
Adjournment of Motions: Adjournment requests shall be made to the Court, in writing via NYSCEF or email before the scheduled return date. Counsel requesting the adjournment should confer with opposing counsel prior to making the request and specifically indicate whether the request is on consent. An adjournment, whether or not on consent, is not granted unless and until the Court expressly grants the request in writing. Unless the court orders otherwise, no motion may be adjourned on consent more than three times or for a cumulative total of more than 60 days (see NYCRR 202.8-a[c]).
Source page 3Motion practice
Expert disclosure is governed by the Third Judicial District Rules unless modified by Court Order. Any motion to preclude or limit an expert’s testimony requires leave of court and should be made as soon as practicable. Any party seeking such leave shall request a court conference.
Source page 3Motion practice
Such request shall succinctly state the grounds for the preclusion motion.
Source page 3Conferences and appearances
Notwithstanding this section, the Rules of Court apply in matrimonial actions. Preliminary conferences will be scheduled pursuant to 22 NYCRR §202.16(f). All pertinent matters will be discussed at the conference in an effort to resolve and limit contested issues. The parties must attend the preliminary conference and their attorneys must be prepared to discuss the topics listed in 22 NYCRR §202.16(f)(2).
Source page 3Filing and working copies
d. All other items required to be filed by 22 NYCRR 202.16(f).
Source page 3Filing and working copies
Unless otherwise directed by the Court, Statements of Proposed Disposition shall be filed in accordance with 22 NYCRR §202.16(h)(3).
Source page 3Conferences and appearances
If the parties report that an action has resolved by written stipulation of the parties, the Court will not remove the action from the calendar until it receives a signed copy of the stipulation. Any proposed Judgments of Divorce and Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law must comply with the Uniform Rules of Trial Courts 22 NYCRR §202.50. The proposed Judgment of Divorce
Source page 3Conferences and appearances
Qualified Domestic Relations Orders submitted for signature shall include a copy of the Judgment of Divorce and relevant portions of the Stipulation of Settlement, or transcript, if any.
Source page 4Communications with chambers
Counsel must immediately inform chambers whenever a party/witness requires the services of an interpreter and of the party/witness’s native language or dialect. Counsel must also immediately inform chambers if a party/witness has any disability (hearing, sight, etc.) and of the appropriate accommodation request.
Source page 4Motion practice
2. Motions in limine shall be in writing and shall be timely served on all counsel and filed with the Court not less than 10 days prior to trial. Opposing papers shall be submitted and served not later than five days before the trial date.
Source page 4Communications with chambers
3. Not less than one week before trial, counsel must provide the Court with the following trial binder: marked pleadings, bill of particulars, witness list, exhibit list and copies of all exhibits (exhibits may be compiled on a thumb drive), a list of applicable PJI sections and any other requested jury charges, and a proposed jury verdict sheet. Counsel shall cooperate to prepare an agreed-upon verdict sheet. If that is not possible, then the parties shall submit separate proposed verdict sheets following the suggested forms in the PJI. Each question shall be on a separate page. All verdict sheets shall be submitted in writing and word format, via email to jfarrellchambers@nycourts.gov.
Source page 4Trial exhibits and witnesses
4. Jury selection shall follow one of the authorized methods contained within the Uniform Rules for Trial Courts 22 NYCRR §202.33(f), as the parties may agree. The Court may preside over a portion of, or the entire, jury selection process. Time limits on counsel may be imposed.
Source page 4Trial exhibits and witnesses
5. Exhibits should be marked prior to commencement of trial and counsel should confer and stipulate to those exhibits that can be admitted without objection.
Source page 4Filing and working copies
6. Experts who testify at trial shall bring their entire file and all documents considered in arriving at their opinion(s) with them to Court. Failure to do so may result in an expert’s testimony being limited or stricken.
Source page 5Communications with chambers
Unless otherwise directed by the Court, in non-jury cases, each party shall submit post-trial proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law. Citations within the proposed findings will be to the record. The proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law shall be submitted in writing and in word format, via email to jfarrellchambers@nycourts.gov.
Source page 5Adjournments
If a case has been settled or otherwise disposed, counsel shall promptly advise the Court, in writing, and ensure that a Stipulation of Discontinuance is promptly filed prior to the next scheduled appearance before the Court. A copy of the Stipulation of Discontinuance shall be emailed to chambers at jfarrellchambers@nycourts.gov.
Source page 5Shared court rules
22 NYCRR Part 200 — Uniform Rules Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction
Sullivan County County Court
State criminal proceedings only; section-specific court and case exceptions remain applicable.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-10-2722 NYCRR Part 202 — Uniform Civil Rules Supreme Court And County Court
Sullivan County County Court
Civil actions and proceedings only; section-specific and specialized-part restrictions remain applicable.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings
Sullivan County County Court
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings
Sullivan County County Court
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 2, 2026.
New York State Unified Court System Judicial Directory official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View New York State Unified Court System Judicial Directory official judicial roster ↗Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings ↗Guide to New York Evidence: Article 1, General Provisions and Court's Role
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Guide to New York Evidence: Article 1, General Provisions and Court's Role ↗Part 202: Uniform Civil Rules for the Supreme Court and the County Court
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Part 202: Uniform Civil Rules for the Supreme Court and the County Court ↗Part 200: Uniform Rules for Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Part 200: Uniform Rules for Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction ↗