New York Assembly Bill A09502

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/7/26
• Refer: 1/7/26
• Report Pass: 2/10/26
• Refer: 2/10/26

Caption

Relates to the time frames for certain court filings and the effectiveness of such provisions.

Impact

The bill would amend existing civil procedure law to tighten the timeframe within which a defendant must proceed with filing a third-party complaint. Under the new provisions, a defendant is required to file a third-party summons and complaint within 60 days after serving their initial answer, which is a significant reduction from what might have been previously allowed. Additionally, if a third-party action is severed, there are strict protocols on filing against severed parties that aim to ensure that litigation moves forward without unnecessary delays. This amendment could lead to a more efficient court process, ultimately benefiting both plaintiffs and defendants by curbing excessive litigation tactics that prolong disputes.

Summary

A09502 is a legislative bill introduced in the New York Assembly aimed at amending the civil practice law and rules, specifically in relation to the time frames for certain court filings. This proposed legislation seeks to establish more defined deadlines for defendants in civil litigation to file third-party summonses and complaints. The bill is part of a broader effort to streamline legal processes and reduce instances of vexatious litigation practices, particularly those that delay resolution through overuse of impleading. As such, it is closely connected to the previously enacted 'avoiding vexatious overuse of impleading to delay (AVOID) act'.

Contention

Notably, discussions surrounding A09502 may bring forth controversy regarding the balance between expediting legal processes and ensuring that defendants have adequate time to form their cases. Critics may argue that imposing strict deadlines could disadvantage defendants who need more time to investigate claims or gather evidence against third-party entities. Furthermore, there may be assertions that these changes could disproportionately affect smaller defendants or individuals without the resources to navigate these expedited processes effectively. Thus, the bill presents a conflict between seeking a more efficient legal system and safeguarding fair legal practices.