Hon. Marguerite A. Grays — Part 4 Rules

I.A. Part 4

JUSTICE MARGUERITE A. GRAYS

SupremeCourtoftheStateofNewYork,QueensCounty

88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, New York 11435

Courtroom 66

Part 4 Email: QSCPART4@nycourts.gov

Principal Law Clerk: Jasmine Valle-Bueno, Esq.

Principal Secretary: MelonieD.Holder-Mayzoub

Part Clerk: Eric Kang

Part 4 courtroom: 718-298-1214

Part 4 chambers: 718-298-1212

IASMotionSupport: (718)298-1009

Ex Parte Support Office: (718)298-1018

Trial SchedulingPart: (718)298-1048

VirtualMotionCalendar: Tuesdaysat10:00a.m.(Noappearanceunlessotherwisedirectedby

the Court).

GENERAL

1. All counsel and proselitigants must familiarize themselves with these Part Rules.

2. Pleasenotifythe Court immediately, especiallywhile amotion is pending, if theaction or

petition has been settled, discontinued and/or the motion has been resolved, via email at

QSCPART4@nycourts.gov and copy all parties to the action.

3. Correspondencewith this I.A.Partshallbebye-mail, which is thepreferred method

ofcommunication.Postalmailisdiscouragedunlessnecessarytoprovidethecourtwith

an originally executed document.

4. Allinquiriesregardingmotions must bemadeto eitherMotionSupportat(718-298-1009)

or the Clerk of the Part at QSCPART4@nycourts.gov or (718) 298-1214. No telephone

inquiriesconcerningmotionsorapplicationsmaybemadetochambers. Pleaseinclude

caption, index number and a brief description of the subject matter of the email in the

“subject” box. All appearing parties must be included on any email

5. Counsel and litigants (represented or self-represented) are advised that Justice Grays, her

Principal Law Clerk, and the Part Clerk maynot engage in anyex partecommunications.

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6. To create opportunities for attorneys knowledgeable with the subject matter of the action

before the Court, and who historically have been under-represented in the I.A. Part,

participationbysuchattorneysisstronglyencouraged. Thiscanbeachieved,forexample,

byhavingalessseniorattorney,whopreparedthebriefonamotion,arguethemotionbefore

Justice Grays.

7. Important - Individual Court Parts DO NOT receive email notification when papers

are uploaded to NYSCEF. All stipulations of discontinuance should be uploaded to

NYSCEF and emailed to QSCPART4@nycourts.gov.

ELECTRONIC FILING

1. All cases in IA Part 4 are required to be electronically filed through the New York State

CourtsE-Filing(NYSCEF)system. Attorneysareexpectedtofamiliarizethemselveswith

the NYSCEF procedures

2. All efiled documents must be text-searchable. The submission of documents containing

hyperlinks is strongly encouraged.

3. Partiesshouldconsiderconvertinganon-efiledmattertoe-filing.Toconverttoe-filing,the

partiesmustexecutethisform(StipulationandConsenttoE-filingForm)andsendthefully

executed form to efile@nycourts.gov, or, if any party does not consent to converting the

mattertoe-filing,anypartymayexecutetheLetterApplicationtoConvertPendingAction

to E-filing .

INTEGRATEDCOURTROOMTECHNOLOGY(ICT)

Courtroom 66 is equipped with up-to-date Integrated Courtroom Technology (ICT).

AttorneysandlitigantsareencouragedtofamiliarizethemselveswiththeCourtroomModernization

Initiative (CMI) Courtroom instructions. Any attorney who intends to utilize the ICT equipment

duringatrialorhearing,MUSTnotifythePartClerkatleastfourteen(14)dayspriortothetrialor

hearing,andshould contactthePartClerktoscheduleadateandtimetocomeintothecourtroom

prior to the trial or hearing to test-run the equipment.

ADJOURNMENTS

Alladjournments1 (motions, conferences,trials)requirepriorcourtapproval. EXPARTE

APPLICATIONSFORADJOURNMENTSWILLNOTBECONSIDERED.

1Applicationsforanadjournmentonmotionswillbegrantedasamatterofrightforthe

first time. Said adjournment shall not exceed four (4) weeks.

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PRELIMINARYCONFERENCE

1. APreliminaryConferenceshall be scheduled:(1) automaticallybytheCourt within forty-

five (45) days after filing a Request for Judicial Intervention, pursuant to 22 NYCRR

§202.12(b); or (2) upon filing a written Request for a Preliminary Conference with the

Clerk’s Office, Room 140, in compliance with 22 NYCRR §202.12(a); or (3) when an

appropriatenoticeisfiledinmalpracticeorcertioraricasespursuantto22NYCRR§202.56

and §202.60.

2. Pleaseclickon the following link for information regardingthe PreliminaryConferencePart:

Queens Supreme Civil Preliminary Conferences | New York Courts

COMPLIANCECONFERENCE

1. Effective Aug.14, 2023, Compliance Conference Orders will be automaticallygenerated

bytheassignedComplianceConferencePart.TheSo-OrderedComplianceConferenceOrder

will be forwardedto the CountyClerk. Acopyof the Order can be obtained via NYSCEF

(ifitisane-filedcase)orfromtheCountyClerk(ifitisanon-e-filedcase).Noappearance

is required.

2. Pleaseclickon thefollowinglink forinformationregardingtheComplianceConference Part:

https://www.nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFS/COURTS/11jd/supreme/civilterm/comp_conf_no

tice.pdf

DISCOVERYDISPUTES

1. At this time, all conferences will be conducted virtually via Microsoft TEAMS unless

otherwise directed by the Court.

2. Priortofilingadiscovery-relatedmotion,includingbutnotlimitedto,MotionstoVacatethe

NoteofIssue,MotionstoRestore,MotionstoStrikePleadings,MotionstoDemandBillof

Particulars, and Motions to Preclude, the parties are directed to send an email to

QSCPART4@nycourts.gov, and copy ALL parties to the email, to request a virtual

conference. The email should include a summaryof the discovery related issue(s).

3. Ifthepartiesareexploringsettlementofthecaseandwouldlikeasettlementconferencefor

the sole purpose of exploring resolution of the case, the parties may send an email

QSCPART4@nycourts.gov with a copy to ALL parties to request a virtual settlement

conference.

4. Onlyattorneysthoroughlyfamiliarwiththecasemayappearforavirtualconference.

The attorneys should have on hand signed copies of all prior decisions, orders and

stipulations that are relevant to the issue(s) to be discussed at the conference.

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VIRTUALCONFERENCES–GENERALPROTOCOL

1. Alllawyersandlitigants shouldidentifythemselves atthebeginningofeach appearance.

2. All microphones should be muted when not in use.

3. Courtroomrulesapply-speakoneatatimeanddonotinterruptotherspeakers,includingthe

Judge.

4. Recording the proceeding by anyone other than the Judge, Court Reporter or other Court

personnel, is PROHIBITED.

5. Allappearingpartiesshouldmakeeveryeffort toappearviavideo,with cameras engaged.

Telephonic appearances should be limited to litigants who are unable to appear via video.

6. Maintain the decorum of an in-person courtroom. Lawyers and litigants should appear in

business attire from an office or quiet space. Background noise is detrimental to the

conditions necessary to ensure an accurate transcript and diminishes the decorum of the

proceeding.

7. Ifanindividual is unable toappearviavideo, that individual should contact thePartprior

to the scheduled court date at QSCPART4@nycourts.gov.

8. If you would like to perform a test run of your equipment prior to any virtual conference

hearing or trial, please contact https://portal.nycourts.gov.

9. Foradditional information regardingvirutalappearances,pleaseseethe Virtual Appearance

Guide at https://nycourts.gov/appear.

EMERGENCYAPPLICATIONS

1. JusticeGraysisavailableforemergencyapplications. Theapplicationmustbeaccompanied

by a separate Emergency Affidavit.

2. When making an emergency application or Order to Show Cause application, the parties

shallprovidetheiremailaddress(es)anddirecttelephonenumbersofallpartiesbysending

an email to QSCPART4@nycourts.gov.

MOTIONPRACTICE

1. Motion calendarsforefiledmotions areheldvirtuallyonaweeklybasis. Motions shall be

made returnable Tuesdays, at 10:00 a.m. The motion calendar is on submission only

unless otherwise directed. Appearance is not required, nor are working copies

required.

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2. DonotcallChambersortheParttorequestanadjournment.Applicationsforanadjournment

willbegrantedas amatterofright forthefirst timeforan adjournment fornogreaterthan

four (4) weeks. No further applications will be granted without permission of the Court.

Counsel must make every effort to notify their adversaries of their intention to seek an

adjournment.

3. Microsoft TEAMS is the only platform for conducting virtual court proceedings. The

Unified Court System does not use Zoom to conduct virtual conferences.

4. NON-EFILED MOTIONS WILL BE CALENDERED FOR AN IN-PERSON

APPEARANCE ON THE RETURN DATE AND ANY SUBSEQUENT ADJOURNED

DATE. Partiesshouldconsiderconvertingthemattertoe-filing. Toconverttoe-filing,the

parties must execute this form Stipulation and Consent to E-filing Form and send a fully

executed form to efile@nycourts.gov.

5. THE COURT WILL NOT CONSIDER PAPERS ELECTRONICALLY FILED

AFTER THE CALL OF THE CALENDAR.

6. No motion relating to disclosure will be accepted without an affirmation of good faith as

required by 22 NYCRR §202.7.

7. Exceptfordiscoverymotions,nopriorpermissionisrequiredbeforemakingamotion. Prior

to making a discovery motion, parties must contact Chambers via email at

QSCPart4@nycourts.gov to arrange a mutuallyconvenient date and time for a conference

call.

8. All Memorandum ofLawmust include aTableof Contents anda TableofAuthorities.

9. Each exhibit to the motion papers must be efiled under its own document number and

include a short label identifying the nature of the exhibit (e.g., Complaint, Contract dated

1/1/19, etc.).

10. AnyattorneyappearingonacaseforanypurposeMUSTbefamiliarwiththecase,and

ready and authorized to resolve any and all issues.

PAPERS

1. WORKINGCOPIESARENOTREQUIRED. DONOTEMAIL,FAX,ORMAIL

WORKING COPIES TO CHAMBERS OR THE PART.

2. IftheCourtdirectsthatanOrderbesettledorsubmittedonamotion inane-filedcase,the

proposedOrderandanyproposedCounter-Ordershallbee-filedviaNYSCEFwiththecourt

with proof of service. As appropriate, the Clerk may make changes on the proposed

Order/Counter-Order.

3. FAILURETOCOMPLYWITHTHEREQUIREMENTSOFTHISSECTIONMAY

RESULT IN REJECTION OR DENIAL OF THE OFFENDING SUBMISSION OR

THESUBSTANTIALDELAYINPROCESSINGTHESUBMITTEDDOCUMENTS.

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ALTERNATIVEDISPUTERESOLUTION(ADR)

1. If, at any point, the parties decide that they would benefit from the ADR program, they

should write a joint letter to the Court asking to be referred to ADR via email to

QSCPart4@nycourts.gov.

2. TheCourtmayalso orderparties to ADR program without theparties’request orconsent.

3. For more information regarding the ADR program, please contact Linda Dardis, ADR

Coordinator, qscadr@nycourts.gov or (718)298-1031,or visit:

Queens Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) | New York Courts.

INFANTCOMPROMISEORDERS

1. ApplicationsforInfantCompromiseOrdersshallbemadepursuanttoCPLR§1207(a)and

shallbesupportedbyhardcopydocumentationrequiredunderCPLR§1208and22NYCRR

§202.67. Applications submitted without the appropriate documentation will be denied.

2. InfantcompromisehearingswillbescheduledbytheCourtandthepartieswillbenotified

of the hearing date by mail or via email to QSCPart4@nycourts.gov.

TRIALS

1. Parties should consult e-Courts regularlyfortrial dates.

2. Each attorney or pro se litigant must submit to the court, via email at

QSCPart4@nycourts.gov prior to the commencement of trial, the following:

(a) marked pleadings;

(b) all prior Decisions/Orders in the case;

(c) a witness list;

(d) anexhibit list;

(e) anyNotice to Admit, with response(s);

(f) anyBill of Particulars.

3. EachpartymustnotifytheClerkofthePart,atleastfourteen(14)businessdayspriortothe

commencement of the trial, if any proposed witness needs an interpreter, and if so, the

language and specified dialect, if any.

4. Itisthedutyofcounsel,notcourtpersonnel, to makesure all subpoenaeddocumentshave

arrived in the subpoenaed records room.

5. MotionsinLimine-OnthefirstappearanceinthePartfortrial,anypartyintendingtomake

a Motion in Limine shall submit, via email at QSCPart4@nycourts.gov., a brief written

affirmation setting forth the nature of the application and any supporting statutory or case

law. The party/parties shall also provide counsel for all parties each with a copy.

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6. Thetrialwillbeconductedonacontinualdailybasisuntilconclusion,unlessotherinstructed

by the Court.

7. No adjournments or delays of the trial will be allowed unless exigent circumstances

exist.

VIRTUALBENCHTRIALS

ForVirtualBenchTrialProtocolsandProcedures,pleaseclickthislink:VirtualBenchTrial

Protocols.

SUMMARYBENCHTRIALS

FormoreinformationonSummaryBenchTrials,pleaseclickthislink:Queens Supreme

Summary Trial | New York Courts.

DECISIONS

AnyattorneyorproselitigantdesiringacopyoftheCourt’sdecisionmustobtainsamevia

NYSCEF or from the Queens County Clerk.

SETTLEMENTSANDDISCONTINUANCES

Counsel MUST notify the Court as soon as practicable of the settlement or resolution of

active cases or pending motions, by email to the court and to all parties at

QSCPART4@nycourts.gov. Counselshallemailacopyofthestipulationoraletterdirectedtothe

ClerkofthePart. AllStipulationsofdiscontinuancesmustbeaccompaniedbyproofofpaymentof

the appropriate fee (CPLR §8020(d)(1)).

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