The Office of Court Administration announced this week that NYC Housing Court will begin accepting new filings as of Monday, June 22, 2020. Although landlords can start filing cases, Supervising Judge Jean Schneider cautioned that they will likely be adjourned for a “loooong time.” The court will be following Phase 2 reopening protocols, which means that court staff will be at only 50% capacity. Between reduced staff and social distancing requirements, the court will likely be accepting a limited number of new filings. The court also plans to have only virtual appearances for the indefinite future as accommodating social distancing requirements in courtrooms and hallways will be a challenge. There is, as yet, no plan for when actual trials will be scheduled, with virtual appearances limited to settlement conferences and motion arguments.
This promises to be a slow, painful process.
