N.Y. Uniform Justice Court Act Law § 1802

§ 1802. Parts for the determination of small claims established.\n The chief administrator shall assign the times and places for holding,\nand the judges who shall hold, one or more parts of the court for the\nhearing of small claims as herein defined, and the rules may regulate\nthe practice and procedure controlling the determination of such claims\nand prescribe and furnish the forms for instituting the same. There\nshall be at least one evening session of each part every month for the\nhearing of small claims, provided however, that the chief administrator\nmay provide for exemption from this requirement where there exists no\ndemonstrated need for evening sessions. Such practice, procedure and\nforms shall differ from the practice, procedure and forms used in the\ncourt for other than small claims, notwithstanding any provision of law\nto the contrary. They shall constitute a simple, informal and\ninexpensive procedure for the prompt determination of such claims in\naccordance with the rules and principles of substantive law. The\nprocedure established pursuant to this article shall not be exclusive of\nbut shall be alternative to this procedure now or hereafter established\nwith respect to actions commenced in the court by the service of a\nsummons. No rule to be enacted pursuant to this article shall dispense\nwith or interfere with the taking of stenographic minutes of any hearing\nof any small claim hereunder.\n