In an effort to untangle a “labyrinthine” court system that officials say is unfair for low-income litigants, lawmakers have introduced a plan to merge New York’s 11 separate trial courts that has attracted broad support within the legal community—but has failed to attract unanimous support from judges.
Under the proposed new organizational structure, which has been championed by Chief Judge Janet DiFiore, major trial courts would be consolidated into the state Supreme Court. Additionally, a new statewide municipal court division would be formed to encompass the courts of lower jurisdiction.
