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Commercial Litigation
NY

Commercial Litigation Exhibits for New York Courts

New York commercial litigation—particularly in the Commercial Division—requires sophisticated exhibit preparation under 22 NYCRR 202.34 and individual judges' rules. The Commercial Division in Manhattan (and other counties) handles complex business disputes with specific exhibit protocols. This guide covers exhibit preparation for contract disputes, partnership dissolutions, securities matters, and complex commercial cases.

NYSCEFPer Court scheduling order22 NYCRR 202.34, CPLR 3101

New York Quick Reference

E-Filing SystemNYSCEF
File Size Limit25 MB
Exchange DeadlinePer Court scheduling order
Primary Rule22 NYCRR 202.34, CPLR 3101

Common Commercial Litigation Exhibits in New York

Contracts and agreements (executed copies)
Email chains and business correspondence
Financial statements and accounting records
Board minutes and corporate resolutions
Stock certificates and ownership documents
Bank records and wire transfers
Expert reports (damages, valuation)
Deposition transcripts
Interrogatory responses and RFP documents
Partnership/operating agreements
Term sheets and deal documents
Due diligence materials

New York Commercial Litigation Tips

  • 1Commercial Division judges have individual rules - ALWAYS check before filing
  • 2Many Manhattan Commercial Division judges require joint exhibit lists in pretrial orders
  • 3Bates stamp all documents exchanged in discovery - required for large document productions
  • 4NYSCEF has specific naming conventions - follow them exactly
  • 5Consider using confidentiality designations for sensitive business documents
  • 6Email exhibits should include full headers and metadata where relevant
  • 7Commercial Division Rule 11(d) governs discovery of ESI - coordinate exhibit format early

Common Commercial Litigation Filing Mistakes in New York

Not checking the assigned Commercial Division judge's individual rules
Failing to Bates stamp discovery documents before production
Missing deadlines in complex case scheduling orders
Exceeding NYSCEF 25 MB limit without proper splitting
Not properly designating confidential business information
Incomplete contract exhibits (missing all pages, schedules, amendments)

Commercial Litigation Exhibits in New York: FAQ

What is the Commercial Division in New York?

The Commercial Division is a specialized court for complex business disputes. It operates in Manhattan (NY County) and several other counties. Cases are assigned to judges with expertise in commercial matters. The division has specific rules under 22 NYCRR 202.70 and individual judge practices.

Are there different exhibit rules for Commercial Division cases?

Yes. Commercial Division judges often have detailed individual rules governing exhibits, including joint exhibit list requirements, electronic exhibit protocols, and pretrial exchange deadlines. Always check the assigned judge's rules on the court website.

How should I handle confidential business documents in NY commercial cases?

Use a confidentiality stipulation or protective order. Mark exhibits as "Confidential" per the stipulation. NYSCEF allows documents to be filed under seal with court permission. Commercial Division Rule 11-g addresses confidential information.

What are NYSCEF requirements for commercial litigation exhibits?

NYSCEF requires PDF format, 25 MB maximum file size, and specific file naming conventions. Exhibits should be clearly labeled and bookmarked for multi-page documents. Follow the county's NYSCEF user guide for formatting requirements.

How do I handle large document productions in NY commercial cases?

For large productions, Bates stamp all documents sequentially before production. Organize by custodian or category. Consider using a document review platform. When exhibits come from produced documents, reference the Bates range in your exhibit list.

Related Resources

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