From strange lawsuits and dumb crimes to celebrities getting into trouble and legislative oddities, law new is the place to find it all. This section of FindLaw’s news and blogs for lawyers is dedicated to the latest developments in the legal world, including federal court decisions, law firm marketing, tips on using AI technology and anything else we find offbeat or interesting.
citation: A notice that tells the defendant to go to court and/or post bail. A court may also cite someone as evidence in a case. Lawyers often cite cases as important authority in their arguments.
amicus curiae: Latin for “friend of the court.” A person or organization that gives advice to the court about what the law means in a case. Amicus curiae can be helpful in making the court more informed.
court reporter: A person who writes down word for word what is said in a courtroom during a trial or other court proceeding. Sometimes called a stenographer or shorthand writer. They can also record audio. Their work is usually recorded, and you can get a copy of it.
CPLR: Civil Practice Law and Rules: The New York State law that gives procedures for civil cases.
ancillary proceeding: A case that grows out of another one, like a divorce action or an estate matter in Surrogate’s Court. It is usually filed in order to help the other case or to change something.
law new
Effective February 19, 2025, a new law changed where a divorce action can be heard (venue). The action must now be heard in the county where one of the parties or the minor children reside. We have updated the forms in our Contested and Uncontested Packets to reflect these changes. We have also revised our Maintenance & Child Support Calculators to comply with the new law.
