The **New York court system**, officially known as the *New York State Unified Court System*, is the judicial branch of New York State government responsible for interpreting laws, resolving disputes, and administering justice across a highly complex structure of courts[1][6]. Established through constitutional developments culminating in a 1962 unification, it integrates multiple courts under a single administration headed by the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, with state financing centralized since 1976[1][5]. The system operates on three functional levels: **appellate courts** (including the Court of Appeals, New York's highest court, and four Appellate Divisions of the Supreme Court), **trial courts of superior jurisdiction** (notably the Supreme Court, which uniquely serves as a trial court rather than the highest court), and **trial courts of inferior jurisdiction** (such as New York City Civil and Criminal Courts, Family Courts, Surrogate’s Courts, County Courts, and numerous local courts)[1][2][4][6]. The **Supreme Court** functions statewide with branches in all 62 counties, handling major civil cases, felony trials in NYC, matrimonial matters, and equitable relief actions. The **Family Court** deals with issues involving minors and domestic relations, while the **Surrogate's Court** specializes in probate and guardianship cases. The **Court of Claims** adjudicates claims against the state itself[2][6]. The judicial organization reflects a rich history beginning with reforms in 1846 and evolving through constitutional conventions and legislative acts to improve efficiency and access to justice[5]. Despite its comprehensive scope, the court system's complexity—featuring eleven different trial courts—is often criticized for causing confusion and inefficiency. Efforts to consolidate and simplify the structure have been proposed but not implemented, leaving the system notable for its unique breadth and detailed jurisdictional divisions[3][4]. Key achievements include maintaining a unified, state-funded system that supports a high volume of civil