N.Y. Eminent Domain Procedure Law § 601

§ 601. Applicability. (A) When the total compensation demanded by all\ncondemnees having an interest in a particular property being acquired is\ntwenty-five thousand dollars or less, exclusive of interest, a condemnee\nmay, within the time prescribed by section five hundred three of this\nlaw, file a claim with the clerk of the court having jurisdiction over\nthe acquisition, and a copy of said claim upon the chief legal officer\nof the condemnor, or upon such other official designated by the\ncondemnor to receive such service. This claim shall include a request to\nthe court to proceed in accordance with this article and describe\nbriefly the property to which the request relates and set forth the\namount of compensation demanded by the condemnee including a concise\nstatement of the basis therefor.\n (B) The court shall view the property, and shall upon reasonable\nnotice to the condemnor and the condemnee, meet at a hearing with the\nparties or representatives present and proceed in an informal manner to\nhear proof concerning the amount of compensation due the condemnee.\n