Empty Foley Square in Manhattan during coronavirus pandemic. Photo: Ryland West/ALM

A week into the statewide rollout of virtual court operations for essential and emergency proceedings, the model is being expanded to cover a broad range of criminal and civil matters.

Chief Judge Janet DiFiore and Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence Marks jointly announced Monday that virtual court will be used for pending tort, asbestos, commercial, matrimonial, trusts and estates, felony, family and other cases making up the bulk of trial court caseloads. An existing ban on new filings for "nonessential" matters will remain in effect.

"Thanks to the adept leadership of our administrators and staff, in particular the herculean efforts of our highly skilled technology team and the collaboration of our justice partners, the New York State court system, within just two weeks, has successfully implemented a virtual framework for handling all essential and emergency matters," DiFiore said. "Building on this framework, we can now begin to focus on the rest of our caseload, enabling judges and non-judicial employees across the state, who are anxious to get back to work and do their part, to be active and serve the public in this time of great need."

Starting Monday, judges would start begin remotely scheduling conferences and hearings, Marks added. "These are preliminary, but significant, steps forward as we strive in these challenging times to carry on the vitally important business of the courts," he said. Judges have reportedly been reviewing their nonessential case inventories, looking for ways to move these pending matters forward, both in New York City and districts in Long Island and upstate. For matters chosen to be heard, interactions take place by video or telephone, with administrative and court staff assisting judges in the use of Skype and other technology platforms.

A small group of court clerks and officers continues to staff designated courthouse locations to process critical paperwork and provide security. "We are immensely grateful to these dedicated court employees who continue to report to work so that our courts can deliver justice at this critical time," DiFiore said.

While calendared proceedings will be open to the public, court security personnel will strictly monitor and may limit access to maintain social distancing in accordance with current public health authorities' guidelines. As the court system continues to evaluate and adjust its operational plans in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Marks added that further steps to increase access to justice in nonessential matters will be announced in the coming weeks.