Ask a Law Librarian: FAQ's about Legal Research

Many small claims court cases involve home contracting disputes. Check local laws, as well as state laws, for code requirements.

Laws

• Find these laws through the New York Senate Consolidated Laws page
• CPLR 3015 (e) Particularity as to specific matters (e) License to Do Business
• General Business Law Article 36-a Home Improvement Contracts
• Lien Law, Art 2 Mechanics’ Liens
• Real Property Law Art 12-B Home Inspection Professional Licensing, § 444-d 
• NY City Admin Code Title 20, Subchapter 22 Home Improvement Business, § 20-387 
• eCode360® Library: - General Code to find local laws 

Case Finders and Digests

• New York Official Reports Digest 2d Consumer Protection > Home Renovation 
• West Key Number Topic Licenses 
• West Key Number Topic 29T Antitrust and Trade Regulation K203 Construction, renovation, improvement, and repair

Guides and Forms

Lexis

• 3B Bender’s Forms for the Consolidated Laws of New York, Lien Law
• Bender’s Forms of Pleading, Ch 245 Building and Construction Contracts
• Bender's Forms of Pleading, Ch 287, Pt 5 Work, Labor and Services, Building Trades
• 13 NY Jur 2d Businesses and Occupations § 772 Home inspection professionals, generally 
• 21 NY Jur Consumer and Borrower Protection, Pt G Home Improvement Contracts
• New York Small Claims Manual 
• Steinman, Bergerman & Roth New York Real Property, Ch 21 Mechanics’ Liens
• Warren’s Weed on Real Property, Ch 32 , pt 25 Contracts for Construction or Repair
• Warren’s Weed on Real Property, Ch 92 Mechanics’ Liens

Westlaw

• New York Construction Law Manual
• New York Forms: Legal and Business, Ch 10 Building, Construction, and Improvement
• 13 NY Jur 2d Businesses and Occupations § 772 Home inspection professionals, generally 
• 21 NY Jur Consumer and Borrower Protection, Pt G Home Improvement Contracts