Two clients of Mobilization for Justice filed a petition in New York's Appellate Division, Second Department on Friday, formally seeking to block an effort by Justice Lawrence Knipel, administrative judge for civil matters in Kings County, to bring people facing foreclosure into court to discuss their cases amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The MfJ clients, who are defendants in separate foreclosure proceedings, have each filed hardship declarations pursuant to New York's modified COVID-19 foreclosure moratorium law, and their declarations have not been challenged by the foreclosing plaintiffs.

According to the law and clarifying guidance from Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence Marks, foreclosure proceedings are stayed until at least January 15, 2022, in cases with hardship declarations. Knipel has maintained that his procedures conform with the law.