Laws About Notification of Constitutional Challenge

New York State Laws

N.Y. Executive Law § 71. Attorney-general authorized to appear in cases involving the constitutionality of an act of the legislature, or a rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto.

1.  Whenever  the  constitutionality  of  a  statute, or a rule or regulation adopted  pursuant  thereto  is  brought   into  question  upon  the  trial,  hearing  or appeal  of any action or  proceeding, civil or criminal, in any court of  record  of  original  or  appellate  jurisdiction,  and proof of the notice of such constitutional challenge, as required by paragraph one of subdivision  (b)  of  section one  thousand  twelve  of the civil practice law and rules, has not been filed, the court or justice before whom such  action  or  proceeding  is pending, shall make an order, directing the party desiring to raise such question, to serve notice thereof on the attorney-general, and providing that  the attorney-general  be permitted to appear at any such trial or hearing in support of the constitutionality of such statute, or rule or regulation adopted  pursuant  thereto. The court or justice before whom any such action or proceeding is pending may also make such  order  upon the  application  of  any  party  thereto, and the court shall make such order  in  any  such  action  or   proceeding   upon   motion   of   the attorney-general.  When such order has been made in any manner mentioned in this section and notice pursuant to such order has  been  given,  the attorney-general  shall  be  permitted  to  appear  in  such  action  or proceeding in support of the constitutionality of  such  statute,  or  a rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto.

2.   In  the  event  the  constitutionality of a statute, or rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto is brought into question and the party  questioning  such  constitutionality,  or  any other party to the action or proceeding serves the attorney-general pursuant  to  paragraph one  of  subdivision  (b)  of  section  one thousand twelve of the civil practice law and rules, proof of such service upon the  attorney-general shall  be  accepted  by  the  court in satisfaction of the provisions of subdivision one of this section.

3.   The court having jurisdiction in an action or proceeding  in  which the  constitutionality  of  a statute, rule or regulation is challenged, shall not consider  any  challenge  to  the  constitutionality  of  such statute,  rule  or  regulation  unless  proof  of  service of the notice required by this section or required by subdivision (b) of  section  one thousand  twelve  of the civil practice law and rules is filed with such court.

N.Y. C.P.L.R. 1012(b). Intervention as of right; notice to attorney-general, city, county, town or village where constitutionality in issue

 (b)  Notice to attorney-general, city, county, town or village where constitutionality in issue.

1.   When the constitutionality of a statute of the state, or a rule and regulation adopted pursuant thereto is involved in an action to which the state is not a party, the attorney-general, shall be notified and permitted to intervene in support of its constitutionality.

2.   [Omitted]

3.   The court having jurisdiction in an action or proceeding in which the constitutionality of a state statute, local law, ordinance, rule or regulation is challenged shall not consider any challenge to the constitutionality of such state statute, local law, ordinance, rule or regulation unless proof of service of the notice required by this subdivision is filed with such court.

N.Y. Court of Appeals Rules of Practice
22 N.Y.C.R.R. § 500.9(b).  Preliminary Appeal Statement.

(b)  Where a party asserts that a statute is unconstitutional, appellant shall give written notice to the Attorney General before filing the preliminary appeal statement, and a copy of the notification shall be attached to the preliminary appeal statement. The notification and a copy of the preliminary appeal statement shall be sent to the Solicitor General, Department of Law, The Capitol, Albany, New York 12224.

N.Y. Supreme Court, Appellate Division: Practice Rules of the Appellate Division

22 N.Y.C.R.R. § 1250.9(i). Constitutionality of State Statute.

(i) Where the constitutionality of a statute of the State is involved in a matter in which the State is not a party, the party raising the issue shall serve a copy of the brief upon the Attorney General of the State of New York, and file proof of service with the court. The Attorney General may thereupon intervene in the appeal.


Federal Laws

28 U.S.C. § 2403(b).  Intervention by United States or a State; constitutional question

(b) In any action, suit, or proceeding in a court of the United States to which a State or any agency, officer, or employee thereof is not a party, wherein the constitutionality of any statute of that State affecting the public interest is drawn in question, the court shall certify such fact to the attorney general of the State, and shall permit the State to intervene for presentation of evidence, if evidence is otherwise admissible in the case, and for argument on the question of constitutionality. The State shall, subject to the applicable provisions of law, have all the rights of a party and be subject to all liabilities of a party as to court costs to the extent necessary for a proper presentation of the facts and law relating to the question of constitutionality.

Rules of the Supreme Court of the United States, Rule 29(4)(c).

(c) In any proceeding in this Court in which the constitutionality of any statute of a State is drawn into question, and neither the State nor any agency, officer, or employee thereof is a party, the initial document filed in this Court shall recite that 28 U. S. C. § 2403(b) may apply and shall be served on the Attorney General of that State. In such a proceeding from any court of the United States, as defined by 28 U. S. C. § 451, the initial document also shall state whether that court, pursuant to 28 U. S. C. § 2403(b), certified to the State Attorney General the fact that the constitutionality of a statute of that State was drawn into question. See Rule 14.1(e)(v).

Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 44(b). Constitutional Challenge to State Statute.

(b) If a party questions the constitutionality of a statute of a State in a proceeding in which that State or its agency, officer, or employee is not a party in an official capacity, the questioning party must give written notice to the circuit clerk immediately upon the filing of the record or as soon as the question is raised in the court of appeals. The clerk must then certify that fact to the attorney general of the State.