N.Y. Judiciary Law § 251: Clerks in courts of record within the territory of the first, second, tenth and eleventh judicial districts not to be appointed referees,...

§ 251. Clerks in courts of record within the territory of the first,

second, tenth and eleventh judicial districts not to be appointed

referees, receivers, or commissioners. No person holding the office of

clerk, deputy clerk, special deputy clerk, assistant special deputy

clerk, or assistant in the clerk's office, of a court of record within

the first, second, tenth and eleventh judicial districts or territory

comprising the same, shall hereafter be appointed by any court or judge,

a referee, receiver or commissioner; except that a person holding such

office who is an attorney in good standing admitted to practice in the

state may be appointed as a referee to serve without fee where

authorized by any provision of the civil practice law and rules or any

other law.