N.Y. New York City Civil Court Act § 1809: Procedures relating to corporations, associations, insurers and assignees

§ 1809. Procedures relating to corporations, associations, insurers

and assignees. 1. No corporation, except a municipal corporation, public

benefit corporation, school district or school district public library

wholly or partially within the municipal corporate limit, no

partnership, or association and no assignee of any small claim shall

institute an action or proceeding under this article, nor shall this

article apply to any claim or cause of action brought by an insurer in

its own name or in the name of its insured whether before or after

payment to the insured on the policy.

2. A corporation may appear in the defense of any small claim action

brought pursuant to this article by an attorney as well as by any

authorized officer, director or employee of the corporation provided

that the appearance by a non-lawyer on behalf of a corporation shall be

deemed to constitute the requisite authority to bind the corporation in

a settlement or trial. The court or arbitrator may make reasonable

inquiry to determine the authority of any person who appears for the

corporation in defense of a small claims court case.