N.Y. Uniform District Court Act § 1804: Informal and simplified procedure on small claims

§ 1804. Informal and simplified procedure on small claims.

The court shall conduct hearings upon small claims in such manner as

to do substantial justice between the parties according to the rules of

substantive law and shall not be bound by statutory provisions or rules

of practice, procedure, pleading or evidence, except statutory

provisions relating to privileged communications and personal

transactions or communications with a decedent or person with a mental

illness. An itemized bill or invoice, receipted or marked paid, or two

itemized estimates for services or repairs, are admissible in evidence

and are prima facie evidence of the reasonable value and necessity of

such services and repairs. Disclosure shall be unavailable in small

claims procedure except upon order of the court on showing of proper

circumstances. In every small claims action, where the claim arises out

of the conduct of the defendant's business at the hearing on the matter,

the judge or arbitrator shall determine the appropriate state or local

licensing or certifying authority and any business or professional

association of which the defendant is a member. The provisions of this

act and the rules of this court, together with the statutes and rules

governing supreme court practice, shall apply to claims brought under

this article so far as the same can be made applicable and are not in

conflict with the provisions of this article; in case of conflict, the

provisions of this article shall control.