Parts for the determination of commercial claims established

§ 1802-A. Parts for the determination of commercial claims established.

The chief administrator shall assign the times and places for holding, and the judges who shall hold, one or more parts of the court for the hearing of commercial claims as herein defined, and the rules may regulate the practice and procedure controlling the determination of such claims and prescribe and furnish the forms for instituting the same. There shall be at least one evening session of each part every month for the hearing of commercial claims, provided however, that the chief administrator may provide for exemption from this requirement where there exists no demonstrated need for evening sessions. The chief administrator shall not combine commercial claims part actions with small claims part actions for purposes of convenience unless a preference is given to small claims and to commercial claims arising out of consumer transactions. Such practice, procedure and forms shall differ from the practice, procedure and forms used in the court for other than small claims and commercial claims, notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary. They shall constitute a simple, informal and inexpensive procedure for the prompt determination of commercial claims in accordance with the rules and principles of substantive law. The procedure established pursuant to this article shall not be exclusive of but shall be alternative to the procedure now or hereafter established with respect to actions commenced in the court by the service of a summons. No rule to be enacted pursuant to this article shall dispense with or interfere with the taking of stenographic minutes of any hearing of any commercial claim hereunder.