Hon. Soma S. Syed — Part 31 Rules

Justice Soma S. Syed

QueensSupremeCourt,CivilTerm,IASPart31

88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, N.Y. 11435

Courtroom/Part Clerk

(718)298-1475

Chambers

(718)298-1948

Email

QSCPart31@nycourts.gov

Virtual Courtroom

(Microsoft Team Linkprovided on Page 6)

Part 31 Rules, Practices & Procedures

PrincipalLaw Clerk

Liman Mimi Hu,Esq.

Assistant Law Clerk

Elsie B. Villega, Esq.

Motion Support Office

(718) 298-1009

Ex Parte Support Office

(718) 298-1018

Trial Scheduling Part

(718) 298-1048

DCM Clerk’s Office

(718) 298-1140

Court Help Center

(718) 298-1024

Court Help Center E-mail:

CourtHelpQueens@nycourts.gov

GENERALRULES

IMPORTANT – Individual Court Parts DO NOT receive email notifications when

papers are uploaded to NYSCEF. Papers that require Court action, such as

Subpoenas, a Stipulation of Discontinuance, Proposed Orders or a request to “so-

order” a stipulation, should be emailed to part at QSCPart31@nycourts.gov in

addition to being uploaded to NYSCEF.

1. Effective January 28, 2026, all motions shall be returnable and heard on Wednesdays,at

9:30a.m.,virtually via Microsoft Team (linkprovided on Page 6).A second call will

immediatelyfollow the first call.

2. All questions regarding motions, adjournments, calendar calls, and scheduling should be

made via email at QSCPart31@nycourts.govand NOT directly to Chambers.

3. Please notify the CourtviaemailatQSCPart31@nycourts.gov,iftheactionhasbeen

settled,discontinued,and/orthemotionhasbeen resolved, with ALL parties copied on

the email.

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4. Part 31 is an electronic filing (e-filing) part throughtheNew York State Courts Electronic

Filing System (NYSCEF). The e-filing help center is available at (646) 386-3033 or

efile@nycourts.gov and through the website. See 22 NYCRR 202.5-b and 22 NYCRR

202.5-bb for more information.

5. Justice Syeddoes notacceptworking copies of motion/documents.DONOTMAILINANY

COURTESYCOPYOFPAPERSastheywill be discarded.

6. Interpreter requestsmust be filed with the Part Clerk at least five(5) business days prior

to the calendared date and time.

7. Trials will be conducted on a continuous daily basis until theirconclusion. Tort actions

aregenerallybifurcated. TheCourtexpectsthatanytrialondamageswill follow

immediately after a verdict in favor of liability. No adjournments or delays during trial

will be accepted absent exigent circumstances.

8. AllcounselsmustsubmittotheCourt,priortothecommencementoftrial,marked

pleadings, copies of the Bill of Particulars, a witness list, an exhibit list, proposed jury

instructions and a proposed verdict sheet via email at QSCPart31@nycourts.gov, upon

assignment to Part 31 for trial.Counsels and any self-represented party shall

immediately advise the PartClerk byemail if any accommodations or special equipment

are required for any party or witness.

9. Allcommunications with Chambers shall include all parties. Noex parte

communications will be permitted.

10. Forthemostup-to-dateinformationconcerningthehandlingofmattersbeforethe 11th

Judicial District Civil Term (Queens Supreme Court), please refer to:

https://www.nycourts.gov/courts/11th-judicial-district/queens-county-supreme-court-

civil-term.

COMMUNICATIONSWITHPART31ANDCHAMBERS

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

PrincipalLaw Clerk,Assistant LawClerk,andPartClerkmaynotengagein any ex parte

communications.

2. Notelephoneinquiriesconcerningmotionsorapplicationsmaybemadeto Chambers, such

inquiries or concerns shall be addressed to thePartClerk at (718)-298-1475 or via email at

QSCPart31@nycourts.gov.

3. Do not send any letters, documents, papers, mail, or facsimile tothe Part or Chambers

unless expressly permitted by these PartRules or by prior approval of the Court.

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ORDERS TO SHOW CAUSE andEMERGENCY APPLICATIONS

1. Allemergencyapplicationsmustbeaccompaniedbyaseparate“Emergency

Affidavit”whichdoesnotprayfortheunderlyingreliefrequestedbutrather

addresses:

a. whytheapplicationmustbeentertainedforthwith,and

b. whytheapplicationcouldnothavebeenbroughttotheCourt’s

attention earlier.

2. Filing parties are advised to consult Uniform Rules for the New York State Trial Courts 22

NYCRR§202.7(f) concerning notification.

3. For up-to-date information regarding Orders to Show Cause and ExParteOrders, please

visit:https://www.nycourts.gov/courts/queens-county-supreme-court-civil-term/queens-

supreme-court-ex-parte.

MOTIONCALENDAR

1. Allmotionsshallbemadereturnableandheardvirtually onWednesdays, at9:30 a.m.,

starting January 28, 2026.

a. Thevirtual courtroom will open at 9:15a.m. forcounsels and partiesto check in.

b. The parties should be fully prepared to discuss the application and requested

relief.

c. Working copies of the Motion/Opposition/Cross-Motion etc., are NOT

REQUIRED.

d. At the Court’s discretion, in-person appearancesmay berequired for the

following motions: Ordersto Show Cause,discovery motions, and cases where

one or more parties who have appeared are unrepresented/pro se.

2. For anyrequestsforanadjournment,seetheAdjournmentssectionbelow.

3. Stipulationsregardingpendingmotionsmustbee-filedandemailedtothepartat

QSCPart31@nycourts.govat least two(2) business days prior to the calendared date

and time.

4. TheCourt,uponitsdiscretion,shallscheduleoralarguments aftersubmissionofthe

motions.

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5. All motion papers submitted to the Court shall be in compliance with 22 NYCRR

§202.5. In addition, all pages and paragraphs are to be numbered and all exhibits must

be tabbed. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION MAY

RESULT IN THE REJECTION OF THE NONCOMPLIANT SUBMISSION.

6. The Court does not accept Sur-ReplypaperswithoutexpresspermissionoftheCourt. No

additionalpapersshallbeacceptedafteramotionismarked“FullySubmitted”.

7. Prior to bringing a Discovery-related motion, all parties must seek leave from the

assigned Compliance Conference Judge. For more information, seeCompliance

Conference Notice. Discovery related motionscan only be filed after a discovery

conference is held by the Court. Thepartiesshallbepreparedtostipulatetoanyandall

discovery related applications to the Court.

8. AllpaperssubmittedviaNYSCEFmustbeproperlylabeledtogivetheCourt notice as to

whatisbeing submitted, i.e.,opposition, reply, cross-motion, motion sequence number,

etc. Furthermore,allexhibitsaccompanyingmotionsandcross-motionsmustbelabeled

and identified togive the Court notice as to what is submitted in support.

9. If a motion is “marked off”for non-compliance with the Part Rules, such as improper

notice or failure to appear, a new motion, bearing a new sequence number,for the

original relief may be filed in accordance with the Part Rules. A motion to Restore,

Renew, or Reargue the original motion is NOT required UNLESS the non-compliance and

resultant marking occur on more than one occasion.

10. AnyrequesttohaveJusticeSyed“SoOrder” any document must be accompanied by an

Affirmation setting forth and detailing the reasons forthe request.

ADJOURNMENTS

1. Motionsmaybeadjournedonconsentprovidedawrittenstipulationofallparties is

submittedtothePartClerknolaterthantwo(2)businessdaysprior to the calendar date

and time via email at QSCPart31@nycourts.gov.All stipulations must be fully executed

by all parties consenting to the adjournment date and e-filed two (2) business days

before the return date.

2. Applications for adjournments made less than two (2) business days prior to the

scheduled date will be denied, except for a reason pursuant to 22 NYCRR125.1

(Engagement of counsel),medicalemergency,otherexigentcircumstance or

unavailabilityoftheCourt.

3. Absent extenuating circumstances, consent adjournments shall be limited to one(1).

Thereafter,thepartiesMUSTcontactthe Court viaemailat QSCPart31@nycourts.govto

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seek any further adjournments. Alladjournmentsaresubjecttofinalapprovalbythe

JudgeinadvanceofascheduledCourtappearanceasperthisPart’sRules.Counsel or

partiesarerequiredtoconfirmalladjournmentrequestspriortothescheduled court

date via email to QSCPart31@nycourts.gov.

PRELIMINARYandCOMPLIANCECONFERENCES

Please refer to specificrules ofthe PCPart, and the CCPart which can be found here:

https://www.nycourts.gov/courts/queens-county-supreme-court-civil-term/queens-

supreme-court-compliance-conference-part

SUMMARY BENCH TRIALS andSUMMARY JURYTRIALS

FormoreinformationonSummaryBenchTrials,pleaseclickthislink:

https://www.nycourts.gov/courts/queens-county-supreme-court-civil-term/queens-supreme-

summary-trial

FormoreinformationonSummaryJuryTrials,pleaseclickthislink:

https://www.nycourts.gov/courts/queens-county-supreme-court-civil-term/queens-

supreme-summary-trial

SETTLEMENTSandDISCONTINUANCES

If an action is settled, discontinued or otherwise disposed of,parties should immediately inform

theCourtby submissionof acopyof theStipulation or an Affirmation directed tothe Courtvia

emailtoQSCPart31@nycourts.gov.AllStipulationsofDiscontinuancesmust beaccompaniedby

proofoffilingwiththeCountyClerkandpaymentoftheappropriate fee [CPLR §8020(d)(1)].

INFANTCOMPROMISEORDERS

1. ApplicationsforInfantCompromiseOrdersshallbemadepursuanttoCPLR§1207and

shall be supported by the documentation required under CPLR §1208 and 22 NYCRR

§202.67. Petitionfor Death Compromise Orders must comply with EPTL §5-4.6.

2. Applications submittedwithoutthe appropriate documentation will be denied.

3. InfantCompromisehearingswillbescheduledbytheCourtandthepartieswillbenotified

of the hearing date by email.The infant and the infant’s guardian must appear in-

personat the hearing, unless otherwise instructed. Please see:

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

omise_order.pdf

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UNCONTESTED MATRIMONIALS

1. Parties will be allowed thirty (30) days to submit corrections. The failure to timely

submit corrections may result in dismissal of the action.

2. Paperswill be reviewed in the Part and those requiring corrective action or additional

documents must be corrected or submitted within 30 days of receipt of the request for

additional information letter or Uncontested Matrimonial Submission Checklist.

3. Corrected papers MUST be e-filed ANDemailed to QSCPart31@nycourts.gov or hand

delivered to Part 31 at the Jamaica courthouse (Courtroom 313). If corrected papers are

not submitted within 30 days, the case may be dismissed without prejudice.

4. Do not deliver corrected papers to the Matrimonial Clerk’s office.

ALTERNATIVEDISPUTERESOLUTION

1. If,atanypoint,thepartiesdecidethattheywouldbenefitfromtheADRprogram, they

should write ajointletter tothe Courtasking tobereferred toADR. Inthat letter, the

partiesshould state whether they prefer discovery to be stayed or continued during the

mediation process.

2. TheCourtmayalsoorderpartiestotheADRprogramwithouttheparties’request or

consent.

3. For more information regarding the ADR program, please visit:

https://www.nycourts.gov/courts/11th-judicial-district/queens-county-supreme-court-

civil-term/queens-alternative-dispute-resolution-adr

VIRTUAL APPEARANCES

1. All lawyers and parties should identify themselves at the beginning of each appearance.

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

3. Court room rules apply –speak one at a time and do not interrupt other speakers,

including the Judge.

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

Court personnel, is PROHIBITED.

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5. Lawyersshould make every effort to appear via video, with cameras engaged.

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

and who have obtained permission of the Court to appear by telephone.

6. Lawyers, litigants, and witnesses should appear from an office or quiet space.

Background noise is detrimental to the conditions necessary to ensure an accurate

transcript anddiminishes the decorum of the proceeding. All parties are to maintain

the professional decorum of an in-person courtroom.

7. Microsoft Teams Link for Part 31 Wednesday Motion Calendar

a. Video/Audio: Join the meeting now

b. Telephonically by calling:

• 347-378-4143(US, NYC)

• 833-262-7886(US Toll Free)

• Phone Conference ID: 360 487 487#

(Last updated: March2026)

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