Research


Scope and Content Note

This series consists of bound volumes of minutes created by the clerk of the Supreme Court Appellate Division Third Department. Earlier volumes are in manuscript format, whereas later volumes are typewritten. Minutes note the commencement of a new term of the court by indicating the type of term (order and general calendar term or compensation term), full name of the court, location of meeting, and date term began. This is generally followed by a listing of the names of the presiding justice, associate justices, clerks, attendants, and sheriff present at the commencement of the term. Recording of court business is prefaced by the notation "Proclamation made and Court opened." Minutes from subsequent dates within the same term commence with the single notation, "Proclamation made and Court opened."

Recording of court business for a new term typically begins with a listing of cases in which motions were submitted along with resulting action taken by the court. Most motions are to dismiss cases with or without costs or for re-argument or leave to appeal cases to the State Court of Appeals. Occasionally, minutes note that a case was added to the court calendar for a given term. This section is followed by a listing of cases (by calendar number) argued before the court, along with names of attorneys for respondents and appellants and specific court documents filed (if any). Earlier volumes note instances in which the court rendered decisions on particular cases, and reference a specific "Decision Book" by number. Later volumes merely provide a general reference to the decision book number in which decisions rendered on a given date appear. Minutes from subsequent dates within the same term usually begin with cases argued before the court.