N.Y. Real Property Law § 377: Official examiners of title

§ 377. Official examiners of title. The registrar in any county is

authorized to appoint one or more official examiners of title who shall

be qualified in accordance with the provisions of law and such rules as

may be adopted by the court of appeals. The court of appeals shall

prescribe such rules as it deems expedient with respect to ascertaining

the fitness and qualifications of individuals for appointment as

official examiners of title. Such rules may provide that the length of

time during which candidates have practiced law and the experience they

have had in the examination of titles to real property shall be taken

into consideration in determining their qualifications. Every official

examiner of title must be an attorney and counselor-at-law of this

state. Subject to rules hereafter adopted by the court of appeals,

attorneys and counselors-at-law heretofore duly licensed as official

examiners of title shall be eligible for appointment as official

examiners of title. In case the registrar shall fail to appoint an

official examiner of title in any county, the justice of the supreme

court to which petition is made to register any land in such county or

to which petition is made to withdraw from registration under the

provisions of section four hundred and four-a of this chapter, may

appoint a competent attorney to act as such official examiner of title

upon that petition. Any official examiner of title shall have the power

to administer any oath or affidavit, and to hold hearings and

investigations necessary to determine questions of fact arising in the

course of his examination of any title, may summon and subpoena

witnesses and examine them under oath with regard thereto, and may at

any time apply to the supreme court for directions, and receive its

assistance, in regard to any investigations conducted by him. The

appellate division of the supreme court shall have the jurisdiction to

control and regulate the conduct and work of official examiners of title

and may admonish, discipline, suspend or remove from office or position

any official examiner of title, because of any dishonesty, incompetency,

neglect of duty or any other improper conduct or omission, either on its

own motion, or on the suggestion or recommendation of the justice of the

supreme court having general supervision and control of the business

coming under this law in the county in which such official examiner of

title is appointed; and it shall be the duty of said appellate division

to co-operate with such justice in endeavoring to retain the highest

possible standard of ability, efficiency and honest service for all

official examiners of title acting under and pursuant to this law. No

person who is the attorney or counsel or otherwise interested in a

proceeding to register title to real property shall act as official

examiner of title in such proceeding.