Judge Jacqueline D. Williams
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Notice of Withdrawal
- Email • Before Motion Calendar Date
Stipulation
- Email • After Execution
- Email • Before Motion Return Date
- Upon request
Terms of Sale
Court-wide- Upon request
Adjournments
- A consent-adjournment request must be made by written stipulation filed through NYSCEF at least two business days before the return date, account for all caption parties, and explain exclusions and the need for adjournment.
Communication
Chambers12 contacts
- hbrathwa@
nycourts.gov - flcastagna@
nycourts.gov - ksccvpart40@
nycourts.gov - flcastagna@
nycourt.gov - 347-296-1486
- 347-401-9260
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Other Contacts2 contacts
Clerk2 contacts
Document Format Requirements3 rules
Orders: If at the conclusion of oral argument, the Court directs a party or the parties to submit a proposed order, such order shall be submitted to the Court in Microsoft Word document format.
- File type
- Word
- Proposed order
The Court follows the Uniform Rules for the New York State Trial Courts [22 NYCRR] § 202. Compliance is required.
The Court’s signature line must not appear on a page with no other writing.
Document Filing Requirements8 rules
Upon the death of a party to the action, please upload a death certificate to NYSCEF and inform the Court by sending an email to hbrathwa@nycourts.gov, and flcastagna@nycourts.gov.
A proposed Order Settling the Final Account, and
- Document
- Motion to settle final account
Include
- •Proposed order
The Affirmation(s) of Legal Services, if the moving attorney is requesting fees.
Final Accounts must be filed in the form of one consolidated accounting, from the date of the last judicially settled account, and may not be submitted in the form of multiple annual accounts.
Any request for attorney’s fees must be accompanied by a detailed affirmation of services with an itemized billing sheet, hourly rate(s), and total number of hours, and must be approved by the Court prior to any payment being made.
A Referee’s Report (unless waived),
A request to so order an amended pleading must include the original pleading, proposed amended pleading, and clearly redlined version filed through NYSCEF, with a courtesy copy emailed to Chambers when the request is made.
Court's wording
Stipulations to Amend Caption/Pleading: The Court requires a copy of the original pleading and the proposed amended pleading to consider a request to so order a stipulation to amend a pleading. Submit a redlined version of the proposed amended pleading that clearly highlights all changes so that the Court may easily ascertain the differences between the pleadings. This documentation should be uploaded in the NYSCEF system and a courtesy copy must be sent to the Court via email to hbrathwa@nycourts.gov, and flcastagna@nycourts.gov, at the time the request to so order the stipulation is made.
Upon a party’s bankruptcy filing, proof of filing and counsel’s stay letter must be uploaded to NYSCEF, and the Court must be notified by email.
Court's wording
Upon a party’s filing for bankruptcy, please upload proof of such filing along with counsel’s letter indicating such and that the case should appropriately be stayed to NYSCEF and inform the Court by sending an email to hbrathwa@nycourts.gov, and flcastagna@nycourts.gov.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Guardianship motions must be filed through NYSCEF or with the Guardianship Clerk at least seven days before the return date.
All motions must be filed via NYSCEF (e-filed cases) or with the Guardianship Clerk’s office (Room 285) at least seven (7) days prior to the return date.
Civil cases
Page 1 | GUARDIANSHIP MOTIONS
Affidavits of service for Orders to Show Cause in guardianship matters must be filed through NYSCEF or with the Guardianship Clerk at least two days before the return date.
In addition, Affidavits of service for Orders to Show Cause shall be filed via NYSCEF (e-filed cases) or with the Guardianship Clerk’s office (Room 285) at least two (2) days prior to the return date.
Civil cases
Page 1 | GUARDIANSHIP MOTIONS
Motion papers must be filed through NYSCEF, or by mail or through the Motion Support Office when the action does not participate in NYSCEF, and not sent to chambers.
Filing of Papers: All motion papers must be filed electronically through New York State Court Electronic Filing system (NYSCEF) or where the action does not participate in NYSCEF, by mailing or filing with the Motion Support Office, 360 Adams Street, Room 227, and NOT to the Court’s chambers.
Civil cases
Page 1 | GENERAL
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Responsive papers in guardianship matters must be filed at least two days before the return date.
All responsive papers shall be filed at least two (2) days prior to the return date.
Civil cases
Page 1 | GUARDIANSHIP MOTIONS
A written stipulation settling a fully submitted motion must promptly be filed with the Clerk or through NYSCEF within five business days after execution, with a courtesy copy emailed to both Chambers contacts.
If after full submission of a motion, the parties later resolve the motion by a written stipulation of settlement, the parties must promptly file a written stipulation with the Kings County Clerk’s office (or with the NYSCEF system if the case is e-filed) within five (5) business days of its execution and also email a courtesy copy to hbrathwa@nycourts.gov, and flcastagna@nycourts.gov.
Civil cases
Page 1 | WITHDRAWALS / RESOLUTIONS OF MOTIONS
A motion-withdrawal notice must be filed through NYSCEF and courtesy-copied to Chambers at least three business days before the motion calendar date.
Any party wishing to withdraw a motion must notify the Court by filing a notice of withdrawal in the NYSCEF system and by emailing a courtesy copy to the Court via email to hbrathwa@nycourts.gov, and flcastagna@nycourts.gov at least three (3) business days before the motion calendar date.
Civil cases
Page 1 | WITHDRAWALS / RESOLUTIONS OF MOTIONS
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Motion papers, answering affidavits, and reply affidavits must be served under CPLR 2214 or the latest Administrative Order unless a stipulation or order provides otherwise.
Motion papers, answering affidavits, and reply affidavits must be served on the parties in accordance with CPLR 2214 or the most recent Administrative Order, unless otherwise stipulated or ordered.
Civil cases
Page 1 | GENERAL
For papers commencing an action or proceeding, only one affidavit of service may be submitted for each individual or entity served.
Affidavits of Service: Any affidavit of service of papers which commences an action or proceeding is subject to the above. There shall only be one affidavit per individual, or entity served.
Civil cases
Page 1 | GENERAL
Courtesy Copy Requirements
A courtesy copy of a consent-adjournment stipulation must be emailed to both Chambers contacts and the adversaries.
A courtesy copy of the stipulation must be sent to the Court by emailing hbrathwa@nycourts.gov, and flcastagna@nycourts.gov, as well as copying your adversaries.
Civil cases
Page 1 | GENERAL
The parties must file the written stipulation with the Kings County Clerk’s office or NYSCEF within five (5) business days of execution and email courtesy copies to both listed addresses.
The parties must promptly file a written stipulation with the Kings County Clerk’s office (or with the NYSCEF system if the case is e-filed) within five (5) business days of its execution and also email a courtesy copy to hbrathwa@nycourts.gov, and flcastagna@nycourts.gov.
Civil cases
Page 1 | WITHDRAWALS / RESOLUTIONS OF MOTIONS
The amendment documentation must be uploaded through NYSCEF and a courtesy copy emailed to both Chambers contacts when the request is made.
This documentation should be uploaded in the NYSCEF system and a courtesy copy must be sent to the Court via email to hbrathwa@nycourts.gov, and flcastagna@nycourts.gov, at the time the request to so order the stipulation is made.
Civil cases
Page 1 | WITHDRAWALS / RESOLUTIONS OF MOTIONS
A stipulation resolving a motion must be filed through NYSCEF and emailed to both Chambers contacts at least two days before the return date.
If the parties have resolved a motion pursuant to a stipulation, a copy of the stipulation must be filed in the NYSCEF system and a copy must be sent to the Court via email to hbrathwa@nycourts.gov, and flcastagna@nycourts.gov at least two (2) days prior to the return date of the motion.
Civil cases
Page 1 | WITHDRAWALS / RESOLUTIONS OF MOTIONS
A notice of withdrawal must be filed through NYSCEF and a courtesy copy emailed to both Chambers contacts at least three business days before the motion calendar date.
Withdrawal of Motion: Any party wishing to withdraw a motion must notify the Court by filing a notice of withdrawal in the NYSCEF system and by emailing a courtesy copy to the Court via email to hbrathwa@nycourts.gov, and flcastagna@nycourts.gov at least three (3) business days before the motion calendar date.
Civil cases
Page 1 | WITHDRAWALS / RESOLUTIONS OF MOTIONS
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A contested adjournment may be requested orally on the return date and granted earlier only for good cause involving exceptional circumstances or a religious accommodation, with notice to all parties.
Contested Adjournments: An oral application to adjourn a motion may be made before the Court on the return date of the motion. A contested adjournment may be granted prior to the return date, only upon good cause shown for exceptional circumstances or for a religious accommodation, upon notice to all parties.
Civil cases
Page 1 | GENERAL
A consent-adjournment request must be made by written stipulation filed through NYSCEF at least two business days before the return date, account for all caption parties, and explain exclusions and the need for adjournment.
Adjournments on Consent: The parties may request an adjournment by written stipulation that must be filed with the NYSCEF system if the case is e-filed) no less than two (2) business days before the return date on the motion. The stipulation must account for all parties in the caption. If a named party in the caption is not being sent a copy for any reason (e.g., the party has not appeared in the action, the action has been discontinued against that party, etc.) the reason for the exclusion should be stated in the stipulation. In addition, there is to be a reason as to why the adjournment is needed within the body of the stipulation.
Civil cases
Page 1 | GENERAL
A granted adjournment will be reset to the next available date convenient to the Court.
Adjournments will be to the next available date convenient to the Court.
Civil cases
Page 1 | GENERAL
Chambers Communication Rules
A guardianship movant must provide a valid email address, except a pro se litigant without computer or email access may instead request an in-person appearance.
Movant must provide the Court with a valid email address. (Exceptions will be made for pro se litigants who do not own or have access to a computer or to an email account; see above regarding requesting an in-person appearance.)
Civil cases
Page 1 | GUARDIANSHIP MOTIONS
Every email to the Court must copy all parties, subject to personal or exceptional circumstances such as security or medical issues.
ALL PARTIES MUST BE COPIED ON ANY EMAILS TO THE COURT. The Court will not respond to emails not copied to all parties except where there are personal or exceptional circumstances, for example, security or medical issues.
Civil cases
Page 1 | PART 40 RULES
Other inquiries must be emailed to both listed addresses with a specified subject line and full caption, copied to all appearing parties or noting that none appeared, and explaining any excluded caption party.
Other Inquiries / Communications: All other inquiries may be directed to both hbrathwa@nycourts.gov, and KSCCVPART40@nycourts.gov. The subject line of the email must include the word “INQUIRY” in capital letters, followed by the index number of the case, and the abbreviated caption. In the body of the email please include the full case caption with the names and contact information for all parties. This email must be copied to all parties who have appeared in the action or indicate that no other party has appeared in the action. If a named party in the caption is not being sent a copy for any reason (e.g., the party has not appeared in the action or the action has been discontinued against that party, etc.) state the reason for the exclusion in the body of the email.
Civil cases
Page 1 | QUESTIONS / INQUIRIES
The bankruptcy-notice email must copy all appearing parties or state that none appeared, explain any excluded caption party, and identify all parties.
This email must be copied to all parties who have appeared in the action or indicate that no other party has appeared in the action. If a named party in the caption is not being sent a copy for any reason (e.g., the party has not appeared in the action, the action has been discontinued against that party, etc.) the reason for the exclusion should be stated in the email. In the body of your email please include the full caption with the names and contact information for all parties.
Civil cases
Page 1 | BANKRUPTCY
The death-notice email must copy all appearing parties or state that none appeared, explain any excluded caption party, and include the full caption with all parties’ names and contact information.
This email must be copied to all parties who have appeared in the action or indicate that no other party has appeared in the action. If a named party in the caption is not being sent a copy for any reason (e.g., the party has not appeared in the action, the action has been discontinued against that party, etc.) the reason for the exclusion should be stated in the email. In the body of your email please include the full caption with the names and contact information for all parties.
Civil cases
Page 1 | DEATH
The Court will not consider ex parte communications.
THE COURT WILL NOT ENTERTAIN EX-PARTE COMMUNICATIONS.
Civil cases
Page 1 | PART 40 RULES
A directed proposed order must be emailed to the Part and Chambers addresses and copied to all appearing parties, or the email must state that no other party has appeared.
The proposed order must be emailed to the KSCCVPART40@nycourts.gov as well to hbrathwa@nycourts.gov and flcastagna@nycourt.gov. This email must be copied to all parties who have appeared in the action or indicate that no other party has appeared in the action.
Civil cases
Page 1 | GENERAL
The email must be copied to all parties who have appeared in the action or state that no other party has appeared.
This email must be copied to all parties who have appeared in the action or indicate that no other party has appeared in the action.
Civil cases
Page 1 | PRE-TRIAL DEPOSITION OF AN INFANT
Requests for Interpreters: Requests for an interpreter should be made two weeks in advance of the motion date and are subject to availability. To request an interpreter, please email hbrathwa@nycourts.gov, and flcastagna@nycourts.gov.
Requests for Interpreters: Requests for an interpreter should be made two weeks in advance of the motion date and are subject to availability. To request an interpreter, please email hbrathwa@nycourts.gov, and flcastagna@nycourts.gov.
Civil cases
Page 1 | GENERAL
Requests to schedule an infant compromise or wrongful death compromise hearing must be emailed to the principal law clerk at hbrathwa@nycourts.gov.
Requests for an Infant Compromise or Wrongful Death Compromise Hearing: Requests to schedule an Infant Compromise or Wrongful Death Compromise hearing must be made to Chambers by sending an email to hbrathwa@nycourts.gov.
Civil cases
Page 1 | INFANT COMPROMISE / WRONGFUL DEATH PROCEEDINGS
Please check upcoming appearances on e-Courts before contacting the Court regarding return dates.
Please check upcoming appearances on e-Courts before contacting the Court regarding return dates.
Civil cases
Page 1 | GENERAL
A request to schedule a child’s swearability hearing must be emailed to both Chambers contacts.
Requests for a Swearability Hearing: Requests to schedule a swearability hearing must be made by sending an email to hbrathwa@nycourts.gov, and flcastagna@nycourts.gov.
Civil cases
Page 1 | PRE-TRIAL DEPOSITION OF AN INFANT
Return Dates: Please check e-Courts before contacting the Court. Please note that although a case may be assigned to Justice Williams, the case may be scheduled in another Part.
Return Dates: Please check e-Courts before contacting the Court. Please note that although a case may be assigned to Justice Williams, the case may be scheduled in another Part.
Civil cases
Page 1 | QUESTIONS / INQUIRIES
A request for a virtual infant-compromise or wrongful-death proceeding must be emailed to Chambers at least seven business days before the scheduled return date.
The request for a virtual proceeding must be by email to hbrathwa@nycourts.gov, at least seven (7) business days prior to the scheduled return date, but ideally at the time the request for a hearing is made.
Civil cases
Page 1 | INFANT COMPROMISE / WRONGFUL DEATH PROCEEDINGS
Chambers will respond to emails within three business days.
Chambers will respond to emails within three (3) business days.
Civil cases
Page 1 | QUESTIONS / INQUIRIES