Records and Briefs at The New York Law Institute: FAQ

Q: Are records and briefs available for all cases on appeal?

A: No. For the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, no briefs are released for cases that have been sealed by the court, identify the victims of sex crimes, or deal with matrimonial actions, and family court or youthful offender matters.

Q: Are records and briefs available electronically?

A: Sometimes. The Westlaw database contains some briefs filed for Court of Appeals and Supreme Court, Appellate division cases since 1992.

Q: Where can I learn more about records and briefs? 

Records and briefs are described in major legal research textbooks and articles on legal research practice

• Kent C. Olson, Principles of Legal Research 3rd Edition (2020)
• Morris L. Cohen and Kent C. Olson, Legal Research in a Nutshell (14th ed. 2021)

More specific discussion of preparing and researching appellate briefs in New York can be found in:

• A. Vincent Buzard. New York Appellate Practice sec. 7.01 et seq. (2020)
• Mark Davies, Marianne Strecich & Risa I. Gold, New York Civil Appellate Practice (3rd ed. 2020)
• William H. Manz, Researching New York Records and Briefs, NYSBA J., 79(2) Feb. 2007, at 30.