"Rocket-Docket" Launches In New York: Implications For Real Estate Practice

In an effort to expedite the litigation process, reduce court costs and to offer contracting parties an alternative to arbitration, the New York State Supreme Court Commercial Division has adopted an "accelerated adjudication" rule, effective as of June 2, 2014, for all disputes exceeding $500,000.

The "accelerated adjudication" rule, also known as Rule 9 of the Rules for Practice for the Commercial Division (22 NYCRR §202.70), accelerates all pre-trial proceedings to be completed within nine (9) months from the date of the filing of a Request for Judicial Intervention (RJI), by providing the following:

Waiver of Certain Rights

The parties are deemed to irrevocably waive:

1. Objections based on lack of personal jurisdiction or forum non-conveniens