N.Y. New York City Civil Court Act § 1802: Parts for the determination of small claims established

§ 1802. Parts for the determination of small claims established. The

chief administrator shall assign the times and places for holding, and

the judges who shall hold, one or more parts of the court in each county

for the hearing of small claims as herein defined, and the rules may

regulate the practice and procedure controlling the determination of

such claims and prescribe and furnish the forms for instituting the

same. There shall be at least one evening session of each part every

month for the hearing of small claims, provided however, that the chief

administrator may provide for exemption from this requirement where

there exists no demonstrated need for evening sessions. Such practice,

procedure and forms shall differ from the practice, procedure and forms

used in the court for other than small claims, notwithstanding any

provision of law to the contrary. They shall constitute a simple,

informal and inexpensive procedure for the prompt determination of such

claims in accordance with the rules and principles of substantive law.

The procedure established pursuant to this article shall not be

exclusive of but shall be alternative to the procedure now or hereafter

established with respect to actions commenced in the court by the

service of a summons. No rule to be enacted pursuant to this article

shall dispense with or interfere with the taking of stenographic minutes

of any hearing of any small claim hereunder.