New York Codes, Rules and Regulations
Title 22 - JUDICIARY
Subtitle B - Courts
Chapter I - Court of Appeals
Subchapter C - Rules for Admission of Attorneys and Counselors-at-Law
Part 520 - Rules of the Court of Appeals for the Admission of Attorneys and Counselors-at-Law
Section 520.12 - Proof of Moral Character

Universal Citation: 22 NY Comp Codes Rules and Regs § 520.12

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 39, September 25, 2024

(a) General. Every applicant for admission to practice must file with a committee on character and fitness appointed by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court affirmations of reputable persons that the applicant possesses the good moral character and general fitness requisite for an attorney- and counselor-at-law as required by section 90 of the Judiciary Law. The number of such affirmations and the qualifications of persons acceptable as affirmants shall be determined by the Appellate Division to which the applicant has been certified.

(b) Affirmations. The affirmations filed shall state that the applicant is, to the knowledge of the affirmant, a person of good moral character and possesses the general fitness requisite for an attorney- and counselor-at-law and shall set forth in detail the facts upon which such knowledge is based. Such affirmations shall not be conclusive proof as to character and fitness, and the Appellate Division to which the applicant has been certified may inquire further through its committee on character and fitness or otherwise.

(c) Discretion of Appellate Division. The Appellate Division in each department may adopt for its department such additional procedures for ascertaining the moral character and general fitness of applicants as it may deem proper, which may include submission of a report of the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

(d) Time to File Admission Application.

(1) Every applicant for admission to practice, other than applicants for admission without examination pursuant to section 520.10 of this Part, shall file a complete application for admission, including the affirmations required under subdivision (a) and any additional material required under subdivision (c) of this section, within three years from the date when the applicant sits for the second day of the Uniform Bar Examination, whether taken in New York or in another jurisdiction. The requirements of this subdivision shall not apply to any applicant for admission who has passed the New York State bar examination administered prior to July 2016.

(2) Any applicant for admission to practice who has passed the New York State bar examination administered prior to July 2016 shall file a complete application for admission, including the affirmations required under subdivision (a) and any additional material required under subdivision (c) of this section, within three years from the date of the letter sent by the New York State Board of Law Examiners notifying the applicant that the applicant has passed the bar examination.

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