New York Supreme Court - Name

Name

In most states of the United States, and in the U.S. federal court system, "Supreme Court" is the name of the highest court. The New York Supreme Court, however, is the main trial court, equivalent to a superior court in another state. The reason is that, in common-law jurisdictions, “Supreme Court” is not always the name of the highest court. There are 41 Supreme Courts and Supreme Courts of Judicature with general original jurisdiction.

The oldest Supreme Court with general original jurisdiction is the New York Supreme Court. It was established on May 6, 1691, by the Colony of New York, as the Supreme Court of Judicature. That court was continued by the State of New York, when state independence was achieved in 1775. The original name, Supreme Court of Judicature, was changed to Supreme Court by the New York Constitutional Convention of 1846.

The New York Supreme Court has a trial unit, which is not formally called the “Trial Division.” Also, the New York Supreme Court has an appellate unit, which is formally called the “Appellate Division.”

The highest court of the State of New York is the Court of Appeals.