Thomas R. Davis at a glance
- Current role
- Supreme Court Justice
- Clerk phone
- 845-431-1710
- Chambers phone
- 845-431-1814
- Court fax
- 845-431-1743
- Jurisdiction
- New York · State
- Judicial service
- Active
- Term and retention
- Current term ends 2032
Thomas R. Davis
New York State Supreme Court justice in the Ninth Judicial District, currently assigned in Dutchess County; elected in 2021. Previously chief of the Medical Malpractice Department at Sobo & Sobo LLP, managing partner at Stenger, Roberts, Davis & Diamond, and partner at Vergilis, Stenger, Roberts, Davis & Diamond.
Supreme Court Justice · Dutchess County Supreme Court
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Biography
Professional career
- Supreme Court Justice, Supreme Court, Dutchess County, Elected, 2022 to 2032
- Stenger, Roberts, Davis & Diamond, Managing Partner, 2012 to 2020
- Vergilis, Stenger, Roberts, Davis & Diamond, Partner, 1993 to 2012
Education
- New England School of Law — J.D. (1991)
Additional information
- Sobo & Sobo, LLP, Chief, Medical Malpractice Department, 2020 to 2021
- B.A. — SUNY New Paltz — 1985
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 Commercial Division matters, New York rules encourage Virtual Evidence Courtrooms for managing and presenting trial evidence after authorization by request or court direction.
Virtual Evidence Courtrooms (VECs) may be used to facilitate real-time access to trial exhibits and other relevant documents.Part 202.70 Commercial Division Rules: Virtual Evidence Courtrooms and Trial Exhibits ↗
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 (103 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
i) All correspondence to the Court must bear the Title and Index Number of the action and indicate that a copy was sent to all other counsel or self-represented litigant(s) simultaneously with transmittal to the Court. All correspondence shall be concise (NO MORE THAN 2 PAGES) and state the relief sought, or action requested to be taken, by the Court. All correspondence to the Court must be uploaded to NYSCEF. Do not fax or email the Court with correspondence. When uploading to NYSCEF, be certain to describe as “letter/correspondence to judge.”
Source page 1Communications with chambers
ii) Do not copy the Court on correspondence between counsel and/or self- represented parties.
Source page 1Communications with chambers
telephone calls to Chambers are permitted only in situations requiring
Source page 2Filing and working copies
i) All documents in mandatory e-filed cases, except documents subject to the opt-out provision of § 202.5-bb of the Uniform Rules for the New York State Trial Courts, or documents subject to e-filing in which consent is being withheld, are to be filed through the New York State Courts’ E-Filing System (NYSCEF). All submissions to the Court must be electronically filed through NYSCEF, unless specifically requested by the Court.
Source page 2Communications with chambers
i) The Court’s calendar will be called at 9:30 a.m. daily in person unless individual cases are scheduled for virtual appearance and a Teams invitation is sent to all parties. Counsel and self-represented parties are expected to appear for all Court appearances on time. If counsel or a party is unable to appear on time due to unforeseen circumstances (delays due to inclement weather or road closures, for example), please contact opposing counsel and advise the Part Clerk or Court’s staff by telephone as soon as possible. Tardy arrivals will not be tolerated.
Source page 2Communications with chambers
ii) Counsel who are scheduled to appear before this Court and another Court must communicate that fact to Chambers prior to the date of appearance so that counsel’s conflicting appearances can be reconciled. Do not ask opposing counsel to advise the Court of conflicting appearances when the case is called. The Court may proceed in that counsel’s absence.
Source page 2Conferences and appearances
the case are to appear for conferences. This means that counsel for the plaintiff(s) must be prepared to make a settlement demand and counsel for the defendant(s) must be prepared to respond to the demand.
Source page 3Conferences and appearances
ii) In non-matrimonial actions, represented parties need not appear for conferences unless directed to do so by the Court.
Source page 3Communications with chambers
iii) In matrimonial actions, litigants must appear with their counsel for all conferences unless such appearance is excused by the Court. Telephone availability is not an appearance.
Source page 3Adjournments
i) A request to adjourn a conference must be made in writing by uploading a letter to NYSCEF at least two business days in advance of the scheduled conference. For non e-filed cases, such requests must be emailed to Chambers.
Source page 3Adjournments
(1) the reason why an adjournment is necessary; (2) whether the opposing party(ies) consent(s) or object(s) to the application; and (3) a date all parties are available. All such communications must be copied to all counsel and self-represented parties.
Source page 3Adjournments
iii) Where the adjournment sought is not on consent, the requesting party must briefly (NOT MORE THAN TWO PAGES) set forth why the adjournment is necessary, the length of the adjournment and the reason offered by the non-consenting party for his/her lack of consent.
Source page 3Adjournments
Opposing counsel or self-represented party may succinctly provide their reasons for objecting to the requested adjournment if opposing counsel believes that his/her position has been stated incorrectly. No further communication concerning the request for adjournment will be permitted. The request and the response, if any, are NOT to be used to advocate a position on the substantive dispute and shall address only the reason that consent for the requested adjournment is being declined.
Source page 3Adjournments
iv) The Court will advise the requesting party whether the adjournment has been granted by correspondence electronically filed, or, where the matter is not an e-filed case, by first-class mail and/or e-mail. Requests that are not copied to all other parties will not be acted on. The parties should not assume that the request for adjournment (even if consented to) has been granted unless specifically advised by the Court.
Source page 3Conferences and appearances
i) Prior to the Preliminary Conference, the parties are to be in compliance with CPLR 3101(f) regarding the applicable policy limits afforded to the defendant as well as the name, claim number and phone number of the adjuster assigned to the matter. The parties must also meet and confer on the following issues per the mandatory rules of the
Source page 4Discovery
(e) have made a good faith effort to reach agreement on these matters in advance of the conference. (f) the matter is not likely to involve discovery of electronically stored information (ESI).
Source page 4Conferences and appearances
ii) The Court will schedule a Preliminary Conference within 45 days after a Request for Judicial Intervention (RJI) has been filed on a matter. The Part Clerk will forward to the party filing the RJI a letter or email setting forth the date on which the Preliminary Conference will be conducted.
Source page 4Conferences and appearances
The party who files the RJI shall advise all other parties of the Preliminary Conference date in writing.
Source page 4Discovery
iii) At the Preliminary Conference, the Court will set specific dates for completion of various items of discovery, the date by which all disclosure must be completed and a date for a Compliance Conference. All counsel and self-represented litigants are expected to abide by and comply with the Court’s discovery schedule and deadlines.
Source page 4Adjournments
i) The Court will conduct interim status conferences on all cases to ensure the Court’s directions are being complied with timely. Counsel should expect a conference at least once every 60 days. (The Court will consider adjourning status conferences on representations from all counsel that discovery is proceeding as timely directed by the Court and there are no disputes regarding discovery). The Court frequently will schedule conferences before full disclosure is completed on matters the Court believes can or should be settled.
Source page 5Discovery
ii) A Compliance/settlement Conference will be held on or before the date by which disclosure was to be completed as directed at the Preliminary Conference and various status conferences. At the Compliance Conference, the Court will ensure that discovery proceeded as scheduled. The Court may conduct a settlement conference at this time. Counsel must be fully familiar with the action as well as all settlement discussions that have previously taken place so that meaningful discussions can be held.
Source page 5Filing and working copies
iii) Notes of Issue shall be filed when the matter is case ready. Counsel should not wait for court permission to file a Note of Issue, unless readiness is disputed.
Source page 5Discovery
iv) Parties who have a discovery dispute are NOT to wait until the Compliance Conference to bring such dispute or complaint about non-disclosure to the Court’s attention. Such parties shall comply with the procedures set forth in Section F -- Discovery Disputes.
Source page 5Communications with chambers
i) Counsel (or self-represented litigant) who believes that discovery is not being conducted in accordance with the Court’s Order is to discuss, in good faith, as required by Court Rule § 202.7, the claimed noncompliance with the counsel or self-represented litigant who is claimed not to be complying with the Court Order. A pro forma letter does not constitute a good faith effort. There must be actual substantive communication between counsel, as indicated in the Court Rules, regarding the claimed failure to engage in discovery and the claimed
Source page 5Communications with chambers
ii) The parties are NOT to copy the Court on correspondence between counsel concerning discovery issues unless specifically requested to do so by the Court.
Source page 6Motion practice
iii) The parties are NOT to make any motion concerning discovery except as permitted herein. If counsel cannot resolve the discovery issue between themselves after a good faith effort, then the counsel who believes that discovery is not being conducted in accordance with the Court’s Order is to contact the Court by letter uploaded to NYSCEF to advise of the nature of the dispute and the efforts that have been made to attempt to resolve it. The Court will either resolve the issue by letter or by scheduling a conference. Only after such conference, if the issue is not resolved, will a motion be considered.
Source page 6Discovery
iv) Counsel are expected to abide by the Uniform Rules for the Conduct of Depositions, 22 NYCRR § 221.1, et seq., in particular section 221.2, which prohibits, except in certain instances, directing a witness not to answer a question. Rulings concerning disputed objections may be obtained by calling the Court.
Source page 6Discovery
v) The Court shall endeavor to make itself available to counsel to resolve disputes that arise at Examinations Before Trial. The Court expects strict compliance with the rules regarding conduct of depositions and the making of objections. Under no circumstances shall a deposition be “busted” or an issue marked for a ruling due to an instruction by counsel to a witness not to answer a question without first making an attempt to obtain a ruling from the Court.
Source page 6Communications with chambers
i) The Court will conduct Settlement Conferences from time to time on every case as it deems appropriate. The Court routinely directs parties to appear in person for settlement conferences. Counsel appearing for defendants appointed by an insurance carrier must, when the Court directs party appearances, have available by telephone or in-person a representative with FULL AUTHORITY.
Source page 6Conferences and appearances
Counsel attending the Settlement Conference must be fully familiar with the action and authorized to discuss all factual and legal issues presented by the litigation, settlement demands or offers, witness scheduling, and trial procedure – including, for example, whether any party or witness will require a translator or accommodation for a physical challenge. Counsel must also be authorized to enter into binding settlements on terms agreeable to the parties and to the Court.
Source page 6Conferences and appearances
ii) Counsel for the plaintiff(s) must be prepared to make a settlement demand and counsel for the defendant(s) must be prepared to respond to the demand. Please note that failure to comply with this Rule may be treated as a default for purposes of 22 NYCRR § 202.27 and/or may be treated as a failure to appear for purposes of 22 NYCRR § 130.2.1.
Source page 7Conferences and appearances
iii) Counsel are advised that, in an effort to foster open settlement discussions, the Court may meet with counsel separately during the discussions. Counsel are presumed to have consented to the Court doing so unless an objection is stated.
Source page 7Conferences and appearances
h) Pre-Trial Conference: See Uniform Rules §§202.26 (b), (c), 202.20 (h) and 202.37. A Pre-Trial Conference with all counsel, all parties and self- represented parties will be conducted before the commencement of jury selection or of a non-jury trial.
Source page 7Conferences and appearances
(i) On or before the Pre-Trial Conference, counsel (and self- represented parties) must provide the Court and opposing
Source page 7Trial exhibits and witnesses
3. Requests to Charge. A complete list of requested jury charges, drawn from the Pattern Jury Instructions (PJI) of the then current year, must be submitted by email in Word format to the Court's Principal Law Clerk or Confidential Secretary. Where the requested charge comes directly from the PJI, only the PJI title, section number and page number need to be provided. Where deviations from, or additions to, the PJI are requested, the full text of such requests must be submitted, together with any supporting legal authority.
Source page 7Conferences and appearances
4. Proposed Verdict Sheet. A proposed Verdict Sheet, jointly prepared by all parties, typewritten and in final form for presentation to the jury shall be submitted. If agreement cannot be reached between and among the parties as to the questions to be posed to the jury prior to the Pre-Trial Conference, each party will present a proposed verdict
Source page 7Motion practice
6. Motions in limine must be made by order to show cause only, per rules below.
Source page 8Motion practice
i) Parties may move by Notice of Motion or Order to Show Cause, depending on the exigency of the relief sought. Except in e-filed cases, proposed Orders to Show Cause submitted for consideration by the Court must include a fax number for the return of any signed order.
Source page 8Motion practice
Motion papers are limited to Moving Papers, Opposing Papers and Reply. Sur-Reply papers are not permitted. See Uniform Rules §202.8-c.
Source page 8Motion practice
iii) Motion papers are limited to Moving Papers, Opposing Papers, including Cross Motions, and Reply (except that reply papers are not permitted on Orders to Show Cause without advance permission). Sur- Reply papers, including those contained in letter submissions, are not permitted and will not be considered.
Source page 8Motion practice
iv) Return Date. Motions may be made returnable on any weekday the Court is in session and are on submission only, unless otherwise directed by the Court.
Source page 8Motion practice
v) Oral Argument. There will be no oral argument required or permitted on any motion or Order to Show Cause unless directed by the Court. Parties seeking oral argument of a motion or Order to Show Cause may request that oral argument be heard by stating “Oral Argument Requested” above the Index Number on the first page of the papers submitted. A request for oral argument should not be construed as an
Source page 8Motion practice
automatic grant of same. If the Court grants the request for oral argument, the Court staff will inform the attorney for the party who requested oral argument of the date and time for argument. It is the responsibility of that person to inform all other attorneys of the date and time set.
Source page 9Trial exhibits and witnesses
(1) Plaintiffs shall designate exhibits by number; defendants shall designate exhibits by letter. Exhibit lettering or numbering should not begin anew for subsequent papers submitted by the same party.
Source page 9Trial exhibits and witnesses
(2) References made in Affirmations and Affidavits to exhibits of more than five pages long shall include the page number within the exhibit where the particular reference at issue can be found.
Source page 9Trial exhibits and witnesses
(3) Multiple documents shall not be grouped together under a single exhibit; each exhibit shall contain only a single document. Exhibits shall be specifically referenced in the papers or they will not be considered.
Source page 9Motion practice
(4) If a party wishes to submit an exhibit or other evidence in the form of a video or other digital representation, a USB flash drive must be submitted to the Court. Hyperlinks to such evidence, such as in an electronically transmitted letter or email, will not be viewed by the Court. Upon completion of the motion, the USB flash drive will be made available by the Court, to return to the attorney/firm who submitted it.
Source page 9Communications with chambers
vii) Working Copies. Unless otherwise advised by the Court, Counsel and self-represented parties MUST provide working copies to chambers of the following papers offered in support of all motions, whether brought by notice of motion, order to show cause or ex parte: Affirmations;
Source page 9Filing and working copies
Affidavits; and Memoranda of Law. Exhibits attached to or referenced in the foregoing do not need to be provided as working copies. If the Court requires working copies of any exhibits, counsel or the self- represented party will be advised. Working copies of the foregoing should be submitted within one week of e-filing.
Source page 9Discovery
(2) Deposition/Examination Before Trial transcripts included as exhibits must be single sided only. Parties are requested not to
Source page 9Communications with chambers
(3) In non-e-filed cases, all counsel shall submit a self-addressed stamped envelope with their moving or opposition papers to allow a copy of the Decision and/or Order to be mailed to the party. The name and Index Number of the case and return date of the motion should appear on the envelope.
Source page 10Filing and working copies
(4) Submission of electronic recordings of audio or video images shall be limited to a duration of one-half hour unless advance permission has been obtained from the Court. The Court cannot download proprietary software to review electronic submissions.
Source page 10Filing and working copies
ORDERED, that opposition papers shall be served on the Court and counsel pursuant to the rules regarding e-filing on or before 1 p.m. on the ___ day of _______, and it is further,
Source page 10Filing and working copies
ORDERED, that reply papers shall be served on the Court and counsel pursuant to the rules regarding e-filing on or before 1 p.m. on the ______ day of ________, and it is further,
Source page 10Adjournments
i) A request to adjourn a motion must be made in writing and uploaded to NYSCEF prior to the return date of the motion, copied to all counsel and self-represented parties.
Source page 10Adjournments
ii) All applications for adjournments 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; 3) the length of the adjournment sought;
Source page 10Adjournments
4) the number of prior requests for adjournment and the dates previously set, and; 5) the actual calendar date which will serve as the return date if the application is granted.
Source page 10Adjournments
iii) No more than three (3) adjournments of any motion or cross-motion will be permitted. The total period of time that a motion may be adjourned shall not exceed 45 days.
Source page 10Adjournments
iv) Where the adjournment sought is not on consent, the requesting party should briefly set forth why the adjournment is necessary, the length of the adjournment sought, and the reason offered by the non-consenting party for his/her lack of consent. Opposing counsel or self- represented party may succinctly provide their reasons for objecting to the requested adjournment if opposing counsel believes that his/her position has been stated incorrectly. No further communication concerning the request for adjournment will be permitted. The request and the response, if any, are NOT to be used to advocate a position on the substantive dispute and shall address only the reason that consent for the requested adjournment is being declined.
Source page 11Adjournments
v) The Court will advise the requesting party whether the adjournment has been granted by correspondence electronically filed, or, where the matter is not an e-filed case, by first-class mail and/or e-mail, and will advise of the new return date for the motion, where applicable. Requests that are not copied to all other parties will not be acted on. The parties should not assume that the request for adjournment (even if consented to) has been granted unless specifically advised by the Court.
Source page 11Communications with chambers
i) Unless there are extremely unusual circumstances in which significant prejudice (set forth in detail in a supporting affidavit/affirmation) will result, opposing counsel are to be advised by telephone or fax at least 24 hours in advance of the date and time that any Order to Show Cause which includes a request for a Temporary Restraining Order is being presented to the Court. Counsel are to arrange a date and time for such presentation to the Court with the part clerk in advance and then notify opposing counsel of the date and time.
Source page 11Motion practice
i) In lieu of discovery motion practice, it is the policy of the Court to make itself and its staff available to resolve disputes related to pretrial discovery. Therefore, no discovery motion is to be made by any party unless authorized or directed by the Court. Instead, counsel should abide by the procedures set forth in Section III.F above to resolve discovery disputes.
Source page 11Motion practice
i) Summary Judgment motions must be made within sixty (60) days of the filing of the Note of Issue.
Source page 12Motion practice
ii) Unless otherwise permitted by the Court in advance, the return date of a Summary Judgment motion shall be no later than thirty (30) days after the date it is filed/submitted.
Source page 12Adjournments
iii) Movants must be aware of the limitations on the number and length of adjournments as noted in subsection B of this section (“Adjournments of Motions”). Scheduled trial dates will not be adjourned as a result of a pending Summary Judgment motion.
Source page 12Motion practice
iv) In the event that a Summary Judgment motion is made prior to completion of discovery, the making of the motion is not to be deemed to be a stay of discovery. The parties are to continue to abide by any Order or Notice pertaining to discovery unless otherwise directed by the Court.
Source page 12Motion practice
v) Statements of Material Facts in connection with summary judgment motions are not required by this Part and will not be considered absent a specific authorization from the Court.
Source page 12Conferences and appearances
ii) Orders, judgments, counter-orders and/or counter-judgments submitted for signature on notice will not be signed unless an Affidavit of Service and Notice of Settlement for a date designated in accordance with 22 NYCRR § 202.48 has been included.
Source page 12Communications with chambers
b) TRIAL DATES: Within 7 days of the date a jury selection day is provided by the Court, counsel shall confirm their own availability, notify their client, all experts and witnesses of the trial dates and communicate to the Court any reason they may be unable to attend. Clients, attorneys, experts and witnesses should be informed that trial dates are considered a priority over personal, professional, occupational, travel, vacation and all but serious medical appointments and plans.
Source page 13Communications with chambers
c) Motions in limine: Motions in limine must be made by Order to Show Cause. The supporting papers MUST contain a representation that counsel have conferred and the evidentiary issue is likely to arise and is in dispute. Proposed orders to show cause for an order in limine and supporting papers must be provided to the Court two (2) weeks in advance of the Pre-trial conference. Motions in limine that are not entered into NYSCEF as a motion or Order to Show Cause (and the corresponding fee paid) will NOT be considered.
Source page 13Discovery
d) Expert Disclosure: The party who has the burden of proof on a claim, cause of action, damage or defense shall serve its response to an expert demand at least 60 days before trial; within 30 days after service of such response, an opposing party shall serve its answering response pursuant to this subdivision; within 15 days after service of such response, any party may serve an amended or supplemental response limited to issues raised in the answering response.
Source page 13Trial exhibits and witnesses
e) Timing and Progression. All hearings and cases assigned to this Part for trial will proceed day-to-day until conclusion, unless the Court directs otherwise.
Source page 13Conferences and appearances
(1) In the event a translator or interpreter is required at trial, counsel shall notify the Part Clerk no later than the Settlement Conference so that timely and appropriate arrangements can be made.
Source page 14Trial exhibits and witnesses
(1) Counsel shall not read from any pleading, part of a pleading or other document during jury selection, nor may counsel refer to any specific amount of money being sought. Counsel shall not discuss any aspect of the law with the jury. Instruction on the law is for the Court alone.
Source page 14Trial exhibits and witnesses
(3) Non-party witnesses shall not be in the courtroom during the trial except when they are testifying.
Source page 14Trial exhibits and witnesses
(4) Under no circumstances shall counsel request the court to approve or qualify an expert in front of the jury. Such a request may subject counsel to sanctions.
Source page 14Trial exhibits and witnesses
(1) Objections to questions at trial are to be limited to the objecting party standing (if physically able) and stating “Objection” and no more than one word or two words as to the basis for the objection. Speaking Objections are not to be made. If the Court requires further explanation of the Objection, the Court will ask for further explanation or invite counsel to approach at side bar.
Source page 15Trial exhibits and witnesses
(1) Any party intending to use a videotape at trial is to submit a copy of the videotape (or other video recording) and transcript of the proceedings, if applicable, to the Court at least 2 weeks prior to the scheduled trial date in order to allow the Court to rule on the admissibility of the videotape (or other video recording) and any Objections made during the video recording.
Source page 15Trial exhibits and witnesses
i) Each party shall submit a trial notebook by the date designated in the pre-trial order or at least 7 days before jury selection, whichever is
Source page 15Trial exhibits and witnesses
(10) Counsel should supply a trial notebook for the Court, for the witness (the version that shall be officially marked as evidence), and opposing counsel.
Source page 16Adjournments
(1) Counsel must notify the Part Clerk by email of the settlement or withdrawal of any action or proceeding immediately upon such settlement or withdrawal. A copy of the signed Stipulation of Discontinuance shall be uploaded to NYSCEF as soon as possible.
Source page 16Motion practice
(1) Except in cases where an attorney is replaced by another attorney on consent, any change or withdrawal of counsel must be approved by the Court on a motion, brought by Order to Show Cause pursuant to CPLR § 321.
Source page 16Conferences and appearances
Requests to hold proceedings virtually must be made in advance in writing uploaded to NYSCEF. Travel considerations for counsel are generally not sufficient reason for conferences to be held virtually. (2) If the Court chooses to hold a virtual conference, Counsel are expected to log in 5 minutes in advance of the scheduled time.
Source page 17Conferences and appearances
(1) Counsel must be familiar, and comply, with the provisions of 22 NYCRR § 202.16. Prior to the Preliminary Conference, the parties are required to file and exchange those documents set forth in 22 NYCRR § 202.16 (f)(1), including Net Worth Statements, pay stubs, W-2 statements, tax returns and statements of accounts. In any case in which the issues of spousal support or child support are unresolved EACH party shall submit to the Court in advance of the Preliminary Conference, in addition to Statements of Net Worth and the appropriate attachments, completed support worksheets on the NYS Courts official forms.
Source page 17Communications with chambers
(3) Counsel must have substantive communications before the date set for the preliminary conference, either in person or telephonically, to determine the issues to be litigated.
Source page 17Discovery
(4) The scope of discovery shall be discussed at the conference so that the Court can determine if the requested items are necessary and/or to set dates for compliance with the demands.
Source page 17Conferences and appearances
(6) As noted above, parties to matrimonial actions are to appear at all matrimonial conferences unless otherwise directed by the Court.
Source page 18Motion practice
(8) Authorization MUST be obtained from the Court prior to making any motions in matrimonial matters.
Source page 18Motion practice
(1) As noted above in Rule IV(A((1), all motions (including cross motions) in matrimonial actions MUST be made by Order to Show Cause. Both parties and counsel must appear on the return date of any motion brought.
Source page 18Conferences and appearances
i) The parties and counsel should be aware that the Court considers all child custody matters that are not resolved by written stipulation within 30 days of the preliminary conference as contested custodial proceedings. An attorney for the child(ren) will be appointed and an expedited hearing will be scheduled.
Source page 18Conferences and appearances
i) The parties must submit the following documents to the Court at the Settlement Conference. Failure to submit the required items may result in the Court determining the issues in favor of the party who complied with these Rules.
Source page 19Filing and working copies
(5) The Court may also require submission of excel spreadsheets in matters with an extensive number of assets.
Source page 19Conferences and appearances
i) The Court will review all uncontested matrimonial materials submitted on an as received basis. Counsel or self-represented parties will be advised of any deficiencies in the papers submitted. The parties will be notified of any deficiency with the papers submitted which must be cured. All deficiencies in the papers must be cured by the date in the Court notice or the matter will be scheduled for personal appearances
Source page 19Conferences and appearances
with counsel and parties. Failure to appear will result in dismissal. ii) Where a Stipulation of Settlement or Settlement Agreement is being incorporated into the Judgment of Divorce, all the provisions of the Stipulation or Agreement must not be copied into the proposed Judgment of Divorce or the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law.
Source page 20Motion practice
(i) All motions in foreclosure actions must include a proposed order which disposes of the motion or application for the Court’s signature. The proposed order shall be a separate document.
Source page 20Motion practice
(ii) The motion templates mandated for residential foreclosure cases statewide where the homeowner has defaulted MUST be used. They are available at http://www.nycourts.gov/admin/OPP/foreclosure_resource s.shtml.
Source page 20Trial exhibits and witnesses
document(s). In order to meet their burden in this regard, if the default at issue is based on a default in payment under the applicable loan document(s), a plaintiff must include a payment history or equivalent documentation which clearly demonstrates the relevant default(s) by the mortgagor accompanied by an appropriate witness Affidavit or Affirmation which makes specific reference to where, within the payment history or other documentation, evidence of the mortgagor’s default in payment can be found. This may include, for example, a witness highlighting the section of the payment history reflecting the default in payment. It is highly recommended that such payment history include time periods leading up to and including the default in payment.
Source page 21Motion practice
b) Substitution of Referee. Requests to substitute a Referee may be made by letter to the Court; no formal motion is required.
Source page 21Motion practice
c) Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale. All proposed Judgments of foreclosure and Sale submitted to the Court must be on notice to all Defendants and shall comply with the form set forth in the motion templates.
Source page 21Conferences and appearances
substantive appearances and reports must be performed and/or created by the Appointee; and it is
Source page 25Conferences and appearances
directed by the Court, but all substantive appearances and reports must be performed and/or
Source page 27Adjournments
only to the successful bidder at auction. Any delay or adjournment of the closing date beyond
Source page 28Adjournments
(90) days from the date of sale, but any adjournments beyond ninety (90) days may be set only
Source page 28Shared court rules
22 NYCRR Part 200 — Uniform Rules Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction
Dutchess County Supreme 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
Dutchess County Supreme 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
Dutchess County Supreme 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
Dutchess County Supreme 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 September 23, 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 202.70 Commercial Division Rules: Virtual Evidence Courtrooms and Trial Exhibits
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Part 202.70 Commercial Division Rules: Virtual Evidence Courtrooms and Trial Exhibits ↗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 ↗