Judge Tandra Dawson
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Document Requiring Judge Signature, Proposed Order To Show Cause
Courtesy copies
Court-wideProposed Order
Court-wideAdjournments
- No adjournment will be granted without prior court approval.
- Telephone requests for an adjournment will be considered only upon a showing of exigent circumstances.
- A non-consented adjournment request must be submitted in writing by email with notice to all applicable counsel and self-represented litigants, the reason for the request, and at least four proposed dates or times.
- +1 more
Request must include
- A consented adjournment request must be submitted by written stipulation at least two days before the scheduled court date, with signatures and consent from all applicable counsel and self-represented litigants, the reason for the request, and at least four proposed dates or times.
Communication
Clerk
Phone
Court-wideIntake Unit
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Court-wideClerk
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Court-wideClerk
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Court-wideClerk
Page & Word Limits2 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026Mandatory
Unless the court gives prior approval, affirmations and affidavits are limited to 14 pages, memoranda of law to 10 pages, and post-trial summations to 20 pages.
Unless prior approval is received from the court, Affirmations and Affidavits shall be limited to fourteen (14) pages, Memorandums of Law to ten (10) pages and post-trial summations shall be limited to twenty (20) pages.
Affirmation Or Affidavit
14 pages
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026Mandatory
An application for a virtual hearing must be limited to one page.
Counsel is to make application to the court for a virtual hearing by emailing a one-page request to lantonci@nycourts, which sets forth the basis for the request.
Virtual Trial Request
1 pages
Document Format Requirements2 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026Note
The court accepts handwritten applications in matrimonial cases.
For matrimonial cases, the court will accept handwritten applications as set forth in 22 NYCRR §202.16-b(2)(vi).
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
These page limits presume double-spacing and 12-point font. Any submission that exceeds these requirements without prior court approval will be disregarded.
Summary: The stated page limits presume double-spacing and 12-point font, and an excessive submission without prior court approval will be disregarded.
Document Filing Requirements4 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026Mandatory
Pre-marked exhibits, final witness lists, a brief offer of proof, and an estimated length of testimony must be submitted at least 14 days before the Virtual Court pretrial conference unless the court orders otherwise.
All pre-marked exhibits and final witness lists, including a brief offer of proof and estimated length of testimony, must be submitted to the court at least 14 days before the date set for Virtual Court pre-trial conference (see IDV Virtual Court Rules) unless otherwise ordered.
Document Type
Pretrial Submission
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026Mandatory
Family and matrimonial cases require a written summation containing a memorandum of law and, when applicable, a proposed parenting plan and other relevant supporting legal materials unless the court directs otherwise.
Unless otherwise directed by the court, a written summation is required in all family/matrimonial cases which will include a memorandum of law and a proposed parenting plan, if applicable, and/or statutes, cases, opinions and other relevant materials to be relied upon to support a party’s claims, defenses and arguments.
Document Type
Written Summation
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026Mandatory
A matrimonial conference-call request must state the reason for the request and the available times for the call.
Requests for conference calls with the court in matrimonial cases shall be made by email to lantonci@nycourts.gov, with notice to all counsel, and indicate the reason for the request and available times for the call.
Document Type
Conference Call Request
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026Mandatory
A request for a virtual hearing must set forth the basis for the request.
Counsel is to make application to the court for a virtual hearing by emailing a one-page request to lantonci@nycourts, which sets forth the basis for the request.
Document Type
Virtual Trial Request
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Electronic filing in matrimonial cases is permitted when both parties consent.
E-filing in matrimonial cases is now permitted on consent of both parties.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 2 | E-FILING
Self-represented matrimonial litigants may file applications as a hard copy in the courtroom or by email, but faxed applications will not be accepted.
However, faxed applications shall not be accepted. Self-represented litigants are to either file a hard copy in the courtroom or email an electronic copy to PARTIDV@nycourts.gov.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | SELF-REPRESENTED LITIGANTS
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Counsel must confer and submit a joint statement of undisputed facts at least 10 days before trial unless otherwise directed.
Unless otherwise directed, counsel is to confer and submit a joint statement of undisputed facts at least 10 days prior to the commencement of trial.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | TRIALS
The required pretrial submissions must be filed at least 14 days before the Virtual Court pretrial conference unless otherwise ordered.
All pre-marked exhibits and final witness lists, including a brief offer of proof and estimated length of testimony, must be submitted to the court at least 14 days before the date set for Virtual Court pre-trial conference (see IDV Virtual Court Rules) unless otherwise ordered.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | TRIALS
Objections to proposed exhibits or witnesses must be submitted seven days before the pretrial conference unless the court directs otherwise.
Any objections to proposed exhibits or witnesses must be submitted 7 days prior to the pre-trial court conference date unless otherwise directed.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | TRIALS
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Proposed orders submitted for signature between adjournment dates must be provided on notice to all applicable counsel and self-represented litigants.
All submissions of proposed orders for signature made between adjourn dates, must be on notice to all counsel and self-represented litigants, if applicable.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 2 | ORDERS/STIPULATIONS
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Counsel must email courtesy copies to Chambers for e-filed documents requiring Judge Dawson's signature and proposed Orders to Show Cause with exhibits.
Counsel is directed to submit a courtesy copy of any e-filed documents that require Judge Dawson’s signature, as well as proposed Orders to Show Cause (with exhibits) to Chambers by email to lantonci@nycourts.gov.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 2 | E-FILING
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
When a matrimonial OSC is filed before a preliminary conference is scheduled, the conference will occur on the OSC return date, counsel must appear with clients, and counsel must confer and comply with the cited rule beforehand.
When an order to show cause in a matrimonial case is filed prior to the scheduling of a preliminary conference, the court will hold the preliminary conference on the return date of the OSC. Accordingly, counsel is required to appear with their clients on the adjourn date of the OSC. Prior to the preliminary conference, counsel shall confer and comply with the requirements set forth in 22 NYCRR §202.16(f).
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | CONFERENCES
In matrimonial cases, a preliminary conference must be held within 45 days after filing the Request for Judicial Intervention.
In matrimonial cases, preliminary conferences must be held within forty-five (45) days of the filing of the Request for Judicial Intervention.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | CONFERENCES
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
An adjournment based on counsel's engagement must comply with Part 125, include an Affirmation of Engagement, and require the parties to appear unless the court excuses an appearance.
Adjournments on the ground of engagement of counsel shall be granted only in accordance with Part 125 of the Rules of the Chief Administrator of the Courts, and counsel requesting the adjournment is to submit an Affirmation of Engagement. The parties must appear unless the party’s appearance has been excused by the court.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 1 | ADJOURNMENTS
A non-consented adjournment request must be submitted in writing by email with notice to all applicable counsel and self-represented litigants, the reason for the request, and at least four proposed dates or times.
Requests for adjournments not on consent must be made in writing, via email to PARTIDV@nycourts.gov and lantonci@nycourts.gov, with notice to all counsel and self-represented litigants, when applicable. The requesting party must indicate the reason for the request and provide no less than 4 dates/times for the proposed adjourn date.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 1 | ADJOURNMENTS
No adjournment will be granted without prior court approval.
No adjournments will be granted without prior court approval.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 1 | ADJOURNMENTS
Telephone requests for an adjournment will be considered only upon a showing of exigent circumstances.
No adjournments will be granted via telephone except upon a showing upon of exigent circumstances.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026
Page 1 | ADJOURNMENTS
A consented adjournment request must be submitted by written stipulation at least two days before the scheduled court date, with signatures and consent from all applicable counsel and self-represented litigants, the reason for the request, and at least four proposed dates or times.
Requests for adjournments on consent must be made by a written stipulation, emailed to the court at PARTIDV@nycourts.gov and lantonci@nycourts.gov, at least 2 days prior to the scheduled court date and have the consent of all counsel and self-represented litigants when applicable. The stipulation shall be signed by all counsel and self-represented litigants, indicate the reason for the request, and provide no less than 4 dates/times for the proposed adjourn date.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | ADJOURNMENTS
Chambers Communication Rules
Requests for a matrimonial conference call must be emailed to the court, copied to all counsel, and state the reason and available times; the court will not schedule such a call for a self-represented litigant.
3. Requests for conference calls with the court in matrimonial cases shall be made by email to lantonci@nycourts.gov, with notice to all counsel, and indicate the reason for the request and available times for the call. The court will not schedule a conference call with a self-represented litigant.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | Matrimonial Cases
Counsel may request a virtual trial hearing by emailing the court, subject to a ruling after any response by opposing counsel.
Absent exceptional circumstances, all trials will be in-person. Counsel is to make application to the court for a virtual hearing by emailing a one-page request to lantonci@nycourts, which sets forth the basis for the request.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | TRIALS