N.Y. Uniform City Court Act § 902: Pleadings; form

§ 902. Pleadings; form.

(a) All pleadings shall be formal pleadings, as in supreme court

practice, except that:

1. If the plaintiff's cause of action is for money only and the

summons is served by personal delivery to the defendant within the

county, the cause of action may be set forth by indorsement upon the

summons. The indorsement shall consist of a statement of the nature and

substance of the cause of action, and the summons in such instance shall

set forth the amount in which the plaintiff will take judgment in the

event of default. Unless the rules of the court provide otherwise, the

clerk shall make such indorsement for a plaintiff appearing without

attorney.

2. Where such indorsement method has been used, or where the

plaintiff's cause of action is for money only in the amount of $300 or

less, the defendant, if he appears without attorney, may answer by

indorsement of the nature and substance of the answer on, or by

annexation of it to, the summons. Unless the rules of the court provide

otherwise, the clerk shall make such indorsement.

(b) If a formal complaint must be or is used, it shall be served with

the summons, except that if service is made by publication the CPLR

shall govern.

(c) The address of the defendant, and that of his attorney if he shall

appear by attorney, shall be stated with or in the answer.

(d) The rules may provide, in actions for money only in designated

categories in which the plaintiff might otherwise proceed by indorsement

as above provided, that a formal complaint, or a formal answer, or both,

shall be required.

(e) The court in any case may, at any time before judgment, on its own

motion or on the motion on notice of a party, direct the service and

filing of a formal pleading.