Walk-In Services at the Help Center
In General
Help Center Attorneys
Volunteer Attorneys
Internet Access
Locations
Housing Court Help Center Hours
The Civil Court Help Centers provide free walk-in services to litigants who are not represented by an attorney and have cases pending in the Civil Court of the City of New York. Visit Representing Yourself to find assistance and information on-line. If you still need help in person, read below to learn what services are available in the Help Center.
No appointment is necessary to use the Help Center. But, staff are busy so be prepared to wait your turn. Free interpreters can be called to assist you. You should bring any court papers and relevant notices and any previous stipulations or court orders.
Help Center Attorneys
Come to the Help Center and meet with a “Help Center Attorney” for free. Help Center Attorneys are attorneys employed by the Civil Court who provide legal and procedural information to self-represented litigants. These experienced lawyers, many of whom have years of legal experience, meet daily with unrepresented litigants in the Help Centers. They are neutral parties who can’t give legal advice or tell you the best way to handle your case. Help Center Attorneys can provide information:
-on how to commence cases
-on how to answer cases
-on how to collect judgments in housing and civil court
-on how to obtain or make repairs
-on filling out housing court forms or civil court forms
-on court procedure
-on landlord-tenant, civil or small claims cases
-on referrals to appropriate agencies
Help Center Volunteer Lawyers
Volunteer lawyers serve in the Help Centers and provide free legal information and advice to owners and tenants who do not have attorneys. As of January 2008, volunteer lawyers are available to assist litigants with civil and small claims cases in New York County. The volunteer lawyers do not represent you in court or file papers on your behalf. If you wish to receive legal information and advice from a volunteer lawyer, go to How Do I Meet With A Volunteer Lawyer.
If there are no volunteer lawyers scheduled on a given date, and you have questions about a pending case, you should still consider going to the Help Center to discuss your concerns with one of our experienced and knowledgeable Help Center Court Attorneys.
Internet Access
The Help Center provides free limited access to the internet for litigants to research community resources, and civil, small claims and landlord-tenant law topics, while at the courthouse. You can also use the computer to fill-out court forms and interactive court programs, and watch videos, which are also available on-line. You can use the computer for up to 30 minutes to visit a number of websites. However, you cannot read or send email.
Help Center Locations
Bronx County Housing Court
(directions)
1118 Grand Concourse, Room 250
Bronx, NY 10456
Bronx Civil Court Help Center
(For Civil Court Cases and NYCHA Housing Cases)
851 Grand Concourse, Room 121
Bronx, NY 10456
Harlem Community Justice Center (directions)
170 E. 121st Street, Room 105
New York, NY 10035
Kings County Housing Court (directions)
141 Livingston Street, Room 404
Brooklyn, NY 11201
New York County Housing Court (directions)
111 Centre Street, Room 104
New York, NY 10013
Queens County Housing Court (directions)
89-17 Sutphin Boulevard, Room 235
Jamaica, NY 11435
Red Hook Community Justice Center (directions)
88 Visitation Place, 1st floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Richmond County Housing Court (directions)
927 Castleton Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10310
Housing Court Help Center Hours
Help Centers in Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island are open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. In addition, the Help Centers in Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens are open until 7:00 p.m. every Thursday to serve those who cannot come during regular business hours.
The Help Center at the Harlem Community Court is open on Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and the Help Center at the Red Hook Community Court is open on Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
All Help Centers are closed each day from 1:00 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. each day.
