Facing a number of long-standing judicial vacancies, the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department announced earlier this week that it would be reducing its weekly oral argument sessions from three to just two.

The move, set to take effect at the start of the court’s January 2020 term, came on the heels of a related decision by Presiding Justice Rolando Acosta in April to scale back appellate panels from five to four judges.