N.Y. Uniform District Court Act § 1809: Procedures relating to corporations, insurers and assignees

§ 1809. Procedures relating to corporations, 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, and no assignees 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.