New York Law Watch
Decisions filed in February 2026
For February 2026, Law Watch lists 8 indexable decisions dated February 5, 2026 to February 27, 2026 across 4 decision weeks.
24 decision records: 8 meet the substance floor; 16 records are held from search listings.
Every decision that passed Law Watch’s clean-text gates in February 2026, from the official reporter. Decisions that do not meet the substance floor are listed but not indexed.
February 27, 2026
- J. Doe 1 v Trustees of Columbia Univ. in the City of N.Y.89 Misc 3d 1094
The court held that Columbia University’s disciplinary determinations were arbitrary and capricious because they relied on sealed arrest records, which are inadmissible under CPL 160.50 and 160.60, to establish the students’ presence in Hamilton Hall. Additionally, the court found that even if the arrest evidence were admissible, the record lacked sufficient evidence of individual conduct to support several of the charged violations.
February 26, 2026
- Frasier v Niagara Mohawk Power Corp.252 AD3d 154
The court reversed the lower court’s stay and referral to the Public Service Commission, holding that the primary jurisdiction doctrine did not apply because the claims were common-law torts requiring judicial determination of duty and causation. The PSC’s regulatory standards set only a minimum safety floor and do not dispositive the specific duty of care regarding stray voltage’s impact on cattle.
February 19, 2026
- Ditech Fin. LLC v Temple252 AD3d 180
The Appellate Division held that a validly executed loan modification agreement de-accelerated the mortgage debt and reset the statute of limitations, rendering the subsequent foreclosure action timely. The court rejected the lower court’s reliance on res judicata and standing issues, finding that the agreement satisfied the writing requirements of General Obligations Law § 17-105 (1) to revive the lender’s right to sue.
February 13, 2026
- ENS Med., P.C. v Nationwide Ins. Co.89 Misc 3d 1044
The court held that no-fault arbitration has subject matter jurisdiction over disputes regarding lost earnings incurred by health service providers when attending examinations under oath (EUOs) demanded by insurers. However, the court confirmed the master arbitration award because the arbitrators’ denial of the claim was not irrational, arbitrary, or capricious, and ordered the American Arbitration Association to modify its arbitration request form to accommodate such claims.
February 10, 2026
- People v Croney251 AD3d 168
The court held that a defendant has a right to appeal a prehearing dismissal of a DVSJA resentencing application under CPL 440.47. However, the court affirmed the dismissal because the defendant failed to meet his evidentiary burden to establish a temporal nexus between the domestic abuse and the underlying offense.
- Matter of Shen251 AD3d 65
The court sustained charges of commingling client funds, bookkeeping failures, and false statements, while dismissing a charge regarding failure to consult due to lack of actual knowledge. The court imposed a public censure, finding the misconduct nonvenal and mitigated by the attorney’s self-reporting and lack of client harm.
February 5, 2026
- Szczesiak v ERY Tenant LLC251 AD3d 131
The court granted summary judgment to the plaintiff under Labor Law § 240(1) because the defective ladder failed to provide proper protection against gravity-related risks. The electric shock was not the proximate cause of the fall, as the ladder moved and wobbled independently of the shock’s force.
The court held that under Tax Law § 1111 (i) (B), the taxable base for long-term commercial vehicle leases with terminal rental adjustment clauses (TRAC) is the consideration actually contracted to be given, which includes lease-end adjustments. Consequently, a lessor is entitled to a credit for sales tax paid on provisional rent amounts that are later refunded to the lessee.
Also decided
- DISABILITY RIGHTS NY v STATE 252 AD3d 161 February 26, 2026
- PEOPLE v ZUBIDI 46 NY3d 58 February 19, 2026
- People v Rios 46 NY3d 40 February 19, 2026
- Matter of Guiden v Jose-Decker 252 AD3d 148 February 19, 2026
- Matter of Russell v Town of Mount Pleasant 45 NY3d 677 February 19, 2026
- Matter of Gold 252 AD3d 14 February 18, 2026
- Matter of Dougherty 252 AD3d 11 February 18, 2026
- PEOPLE v GUERRERO 45 NY3d 659 February 17, 2026
- PEOPLE v AMBROSIO 45 NY3d 646 February 17, 2026
- Normile v DB Ins. Co., Ltd. 252 AD3d 136 February 11, 2026
- Matter of Yeung v Assessor of the Vil. of Great Neck Estates 252 AD3d 120 February 11, 2026
- Matter of Johnson 251 AD3d 140 February 11, 2026
- D.G. v Rodriguez 89 Misc 3d 988 February 10, 2026
- Matter of Zareh 251 AD3d 73 February 10, 2026
- 545 WARREN ST v NYS DIV HOUS 89 Misc 3d 977 February 7, 2026
- DEITRICH v BINGHAMTON LLC 252 AD3d 43 February 5, 2026