By Jennifer P. Nigro, Esq.

New York On Pause has been extended through May 15, 2020. On April 16, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order Number 202-18 (EO 202.18), which further extends the Governor’s March 7, 2020 Executive Order 202, and its subsequent extensions including: Executive Order 202.8 (EO 202.8), which tolled statutes of limitations for actions commenced in New York State courts until April 19, 2020, and Executive Order 202.14, which, among other things, further tolled statutes of limitations for actions commenced in New York State courts until May 7, 2020.

Notably, some practitioners interpreted EO 202.14 as tolling the statutes of limitations for all state court filings to April 29, 2020. Court personnel were not clear whether EO 202.14 further extended anything beyond the April 19, 2020 deadline imposed under EO 202.8. However, EO 202.18 seems to clear up that issue. As of today, April 17, 2020, all filings, including new filings, that are not deemed as “essential” (e.g., criminal and emergency applications in family and related matters) are not being accepted.

Link to EO 202.18: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/no-20218-continuing-temporary-suspension-and-modification-laws-relating-disaster-emergency

Link to EO 202.14: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/no-20214-continuing-temporary-suspension-and-modification-laws-relating-disaster-emergency

Link to EO 202.8: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/no-2028-continuing-temporary-suspension-and-modification-laws-relating-disaster-emergency