International Law

The chief judge of New York?s courts implemented a new rule Wednesday requiring every lawyer handling a foreclosure to sign a form verifying that all paperwork in the case is accurate.

...Lawyers already have an obligation to ensure that the documents they present to the court are valid, but New York Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman said having them sign a document affirming that all papers received a proper review will hold them accountable as never before.

...The rule applies to both new cases and the 78,000 foreclosure actions already under way in New York courts.

Lawyers handling pending foreclosure actions will probably need to go back to their clients and verify that all proper steps were followed, the judge said. The form, which is being created by the court, requires lawyers to give the name of the bank employee who affirmed that the records were accurate and the date the conversation took place.